LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Panasonic today announced new and improved Oxyride(tm) Extreme Power(tm) batteries based on nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) chemistry. First introduced to U.S. consumers in July 2005, the original Oxyride batteries represent their first major innovation in primary battery technology since the alkaline battery in 1965. The new and improved Oxyride batteries, available in spring 2006, have been proven in independent lab testing to last longer and deliver the best value-per-picture in digital still cameras when compared with alkaline batteries from Panasonic, Duracell and Energizer.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2212
"For almost forty years the battery industry has remained stagnant, while the consumer products that they power have evolved into higher draining devices," said Brian Kimberlin, director of marketing for the Panasonic Battery Corporation of America. "For the second time in the past year, Panasonic has responded to consumer demand by delivering high performance, low cost, primary batteries that can keep up with today's digital lifestyles. Panasonic is the first to market the nickel oxyhydroxide formulation found in Oxyride in the United States."
New and improved Oxyride Extreme Power batteries have been proven, using American National Standards Institute (ANSI) test protocols, to deliver longer battery life than alkaline batteries in digital still cameras. In head-to-head comparisons of AA alkaline batteries, the new Oxyride batteries were also proven to have the best value-per-picture versus Duracell and Energizer alkaline.
The following chart is based on independent lab testing data and is a performance comparison showing the number of photos a digital camera was able to take using AA Duracell Coppertop, Duracell Ultra, Energizer Max, Energizer E2 Titanium, Panasonic Digital, Panasonic Oxyride and new and improved Panasonic Oxyride batteries. Tests prove that both current and new and improved Oxyride batteries outperform Duracell and Energizer alkaline by as many as 3.2 times.
A chart accompanying this data is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2216
The chart below shows how Oxyride provides the best value-per-picture. Duracell Coppertops were proven to be 81 percent more expensive than new and improved Oxyride batteries, Duracell Ultras were 61 percent more, Energizer E2 Titanium 265 percent more, Energizer Max 118 percent more, existing Oxyride batteries 22 percent more and Panasonic Digital alkaline 62 percent more.
4pk AA DSC ANSI Test
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Increased Cost
Price Per Picture
Rank Brand Pulses ----- Versus New
/Pictures Pack and Improved
Oxyride
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1 Panasonic Oxyride (New)(b) 187 $3.99
2 Panasonic Oxyride (Current)(b) 153 $3.99 22%
3 Duracell Ultra(a) 104 $3.57 61%
4 Panasonic Digital Alkaline(c) 82 $2.84 62%
5 Duracell Coppertop(a) 71 $2.74 81%
6 Energizer Max(a) 59 $2.74 118%
7 Energizer E2 Titanium(b) 85 $6.62 265%
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(a) Source: Wal-Mart - Panasonic Market Survey in 12 stores
nationwide
(b) Source: A.C. Nielsen 52 weeks ending 11/12/05, non-promoted
price (Target)
(c) Source: A.C. Nielsen 52 weeks ending 11/12/05, non-promoted
price (All Outlets Combined)
Oxyride batteries are currently available nationally at Walgreens, Target and other fine retailers.
Additional information on Matsushita and Panasonic is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
About Panasonic
A leading name in consumer electronics, Panasonic markets a wide range of high-quality, alkaline, lithium, and rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries, as well as the new Oxyride(tm) Extreme Power(tm) batteries, for photo and consumer electronics. Panasonic consumer batteries are manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd., and marketed in the United States by Panasonic Battery Corporation of America, Consumer Sales & Marketing Division. Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., is one of the world's leading full-range battery research and manufacturing companies. With 26 factories in 16 countries, including five in North America, and more than 70 years of experience in the battery marketplace, the company manufactures batteries for consumer, industrial and OEM use, and is committed to working in harmony with the global environment.
