There's a David vs. Goliath matchup developing in the automaking battle to get government loans.
In one corner is the Big Three – Ford, GM and Chrysler – seeking $15 billion in loans.
In the other is a startup Blue Ash firm called AMP – Advanced Mechanical Products – which wants $20 million to mass produce power trains for its all-electric car.
The AMP team spent two days in Washington, D.C., meeting with Senators and House Representatives before finally applying for the loan from the Department of Energy.
"Everywhere we went in Washington, we ran into people who were enthusiastic, supportive and excited about the project," said Dan Zito, vice president of AMP business development.
AMP President and CEO Jack Kuntz said bluntly, "This is the same loan that GM, Chrysler and Ford are trying to have repurposed to go from its original intent, which was alternative, advanced technology vehicles, to put corporate jet fuel in their private jets and to pay for their pension plans and such."
Kuntz said the loan would allow AMP to buy a production facility, staff it and turn out 33,000 units in five years.
Those power trains would be sold to the Big Three to put in production vehicles. The loan would be repaid back – principal and interest – by 2013.
"Our project is all about the economy, the ecology and national security," Kuntz added.
Don Wires, AMP's director of engineering, said converted Saturn Sky is uniquely powered by lithium ion phosphate batteries instead of the more volatile cobalt batteries.
"A little less energy in the batteries, but intrinsically safer," Wires said.
The AMP car can go 150 miles on a four-hour charge and can be plugged into the average circuit in any home.
AMP's Chief Mechanical Engineer Tim Wieck says he loves the idea of David fighting Goliath.
"We're up for a challenge," he said. "I think there's room in the industry for a lot of different vehicles and different types of companies."
