By John D. Stoll
A123 Systems, a lithium-ion battery maker for electric cars and
other business sectors, is suing Apple Inc. for what it alleges is
an "aggressive campaign to poach employees."
The complaint, filed in Massachusetts earlier this week, names
five employees that have either defected to Apple or appear to be
in the process recruiting others to join Apple. A123 believes Apple
aims to build a competing battery business, partially relying on
expertise from former A123 employees to help it succeed.
Apple declined to comment on the suit. A123 officials couldn't
be reached for comment.
Backed by a $250 million government grant, A123 was once a
promising player in electric vehicles, but filed for bankruptcy
protection in 2012 amid slower-than-expected battery advances, high
costs of development and slow consumer acceptance of electric
cars.
The battery maker says Apple's efforts threaten A123's own
business and leave it scrambling for qualified replacements,
efforts that leave the company vulnerable following its
restructuring. Apple has also hired auto industry talent from
Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz unit and from Tesla Motors Inc.
The suit comes as Apple gears up to challenge Tesla, General
Motors Co. and other auto makers in developing an electric vehicle.
The Cupertino, Calif., company has several hundred employees
working secretly on a project code-named "Titan" that included
initial design work on a vehicle that resembles a minivan, The Wall
Street Journal reported Friday.
A123 has operations in Germany, Michigan, Massachusetts and
China and is now a subsidiary of China's Wanxiang Group.
The lawsuit was earlier reported by Reuters.
Daisuke Wakabayashi contributed to this article
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