Amerigon Inc

Amerigon Inc., a start-up Burbank company that makes components for electric cars and other advanced transportation vehicles, said it lost $3.64 million in 1993. In 1992, Amerigon lost $1.46 million. Its revenue last year rose 29%, to $2.45 million from $1.9 million. Most of its revenue so far has come from grants.

Seen in time's rearview mirror, the heated and chilled car seat seems a no-brainer. The basic technology has been available for a century, and the auto industry had been heating things like seats and side-view mirrors for years before Lincoln debuted the hot 'n' cold seat in its 2000 Navigator sport-utility vehicle.

Amerigon Inc., a Burbank company that develops products for advanced-transportation and alternative-fuel vehicles, said it has received a U. S. patent for its audio navigation system. The patent is for a vehicle navigation system that speaks to drivers to help them find their destination. Other auto navigation systems on the market use satellites to pinpoint a car's location. Although they use some verbal prompts, directions are mainly given on a dashboard screen.

Amerigon Inc.'s stock price more than doubled after the Irwindale-based company announced an agreement in principle with Ford Motor Co. under which the world's No. 2 auto maker will use Amerigon's proprietary climate-control seat system for five years. The system, used in a $495 seat package on the 2000 Navigator sport-utility vehicle from Ford's Lincoln luxury division, provides individually controlled heating and cooling of the driver's and front-passenger seats.

Amerigon Inc. said it acquired an exclusive, worldwide license to a patented radar technology for cars that was developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Amerigon, based in Burbank, is a start-up company that is using aerospace and defense technologies to create advanced automotive components. The radar technology, Amerigon said, has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost of radar safety products for cars.

Amerigon Inc.'s stock price more than doubled after the Irwindale-based company announced an agreement in principle with Ford Motor Co. under which the world's No. 2 auto maker will use Amerigon's proprietary climate-control seat system for five years. The system, used in a $495 seat package on the 2000 Navigator sport-utility vehicle from Ford's Lincoln luxury division, provides individually controlled heating and cooling of the driver's and front-passenger seats.

Calstart 'Baby' Leaves the Nest: Amerigon Inc., a high-tech vehicle components manufacturer launched by Calstart founder Lon E. Bell, announced that it will move to a new facility in Monrovia. One project of Calstart, the public-private consortium attempting to foster an advanced transportation industry in the state, is a low-cost "hatchery" for new businesses.

Seen in time's rearview mirror, the heated and chilled car seat seems a no-brainer. The basic technology has been available for a century, and the auto industry had been heating things like seats and side-view mirrors for years before Lincoln debuted the hot 'n' cold seat in its 2000 Navigator sport-utility vehicle.

Dr. Lon E. Bell, the controversial scientist and businessman at the forefront of attempts to develop an electric vehicle component industry in California, is taking his dream public. Through an initial public stock offering, Bell is hoping to raise up to $12 million in capital for Amerigon Inc., his fledgling, Burbank-based automotive component firm. Two million shares will be floated at a proposed maximum price of $6 a share.

Lon Bell has the demeanor of a genial, slightly rumpled college professor, but behind his thick glasses ticks the brain of an ambitious businessman. Bell, 53, best known for founding the nonprofit electric car consortium Calstart, is also chairman and chief executive of Amerigon Inc. in Burbank.

Perennially rushed commuters soon may find it easier to avoid traffic jams--and relieve their loneliness in the process. Testing will begin soon on a talking navigation system that will literally tell drivers the fastest way to reach their destination. And you may be able to play blackjack on the way. Auto navigation systems that display maps have been in use for years.

Calstart 'Baby' Leaves the Nest: Amerigon Inc., a high-tech vehicle components manufacturer launched by Calstart founder Lon E. Bell, announced that it will move to a new facility in Monrovia. One project of Calstart, the public-private consortium attempting to foster an advanced transportation industry in the state, is a low-cost "hatchery" for new businesses.

Amerigon Inc. said it acquired an exclusive, worldwide license to a patented radar technology for cars that was developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Amerigon, based in Burbank, is a start-up company that is using aerospace and defense technologies to create advanced automotive components. The radar technology, Amerigon said, has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost of radar safety products for cars.

Amerigon Inc., a start-up Burbank company that makes components for electric cars and other advanced transportation vehicles, said it lost $3.64 million in 1993. In 1992, Amerigon lost $1.46 million. Its revenue last year rose 29%, to $2.45 million from $1.9 million. Most of its revenue so far has come from grants.

Amerigon Inc., a Burbank company that develops products for advanced-transportation and alternative-fuel vehicles, said it has received a U. S. patent for its audio navigation system. The patent is for a vehicle navigation system that speaks to drivers to help them find their destination. Other auto navigation systems on the market use satellites to pinpoint a car's location. Although they use some verbal prompts, directions are mainly given on a dashboard screen.

Lon Bell has the demeanor of a genial, slightly rumpled college professor, but behind his thick glasses ticks the brain of an ambitious businessman. Bell, 53, best known for founding the nonprofit electric car consortium Calstart, is also chairman and chief executive of Amerigon Inc. in Burbank.

Perennially rushed commuters soon may find it easier to avoid traffic jams--and relieve their loneliness in the process. Testing will begin soon on a talking navigation system that will literally tell drivers the fastest way to reach their destination. And you may be able to play blackjack on the way. Auto navigation systems that display maps have been in use for years.

Dr. Lon E. Bell, the controversial scientist and businessman at the forefront of attempts to develop an electric vehicle component industry in California, is taking his dream public. Through an initial public stock offering, Bell is hoping to raise up to $12 million in capital for Amerigon Inc., his fledgling, Burbank-based automotive component firm. Two million shares will be floated at a proposed maximum price of $6 a share.