It has a joint venture with Teijin, a Japanese company, to develop high-volume production methods for lightweight carbon fiber to improve fuel economy.
This device can then be used as the basis for more integrated and cost-efficient, high-volume production versions to help reduce the time and costs of getting to market.
With the design changes and the cost advantages of high-volume production, GE improved reliability (uptime) from 85 percent to 97 percent at a price advantage to customers.
OPEC's high reserves, low production-to-reserves ratios and a propensity not to adhere to volume quotas, make a drive for higher market share through higher output and lower prices a logical outcome to their current dilemma.
We're thrilled that Ona has stepped in to fill a need in the high-end market, though, and we're cautiously optimistic that critical mass could be achieved if productionvolume increases and prices stoop down a bit.