Amerigon Gets 1st Orders for Auto Parts Prototypes

Amerigon Inc., a Burbank company that went public in July, said it received its first orders for prototypes of three of its high-technology components for electric cars and conventional vehicles, totaling $419,000.

Because of the cost of fabricating the prototypes, Amerigon said it does not expect to make a profit on the sales. The company also stressed that the prototypes will be used for testing and evaluation purposes only, and may not lead directly to commercial sales.

Amerigon said it received an order for 88 prototypes of its thermoelectric system for heating and cooling seats and five prototypes of its energy-management system from Electricar Industrial Vehicles. Electricar is producing electric shuttle buses for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

A major automotive company Amerigon did not name has ordered a prototype of Amerigon’s advanced electric motor, which combines characteristics of AC and DC power. The auto company is evaluating the motor as part of its electric-vehicle development program, Amerigon said.

Amerigon hopes to begin selling its products commercially by late next year or 1995.