28.7.2006: Meldung: Ballard Power Systems Inc.: Strong 2006 Second Quarter Results

Ballard Announces Strong 2006 Second Quarter Results
Wednesday July 26, 8:30 am ET

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA-- Jul 26, 2006 -- Ballard Power Systems, a world leader in the development, manufacture and sale of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, today announced its operating and financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2006. All amounts are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

"Our re-positioning of Ballard over the past year, with a sharper focus on our core fuel cell business and greater emphasis on nearer term commercial opportunities, has enabled key progress, evident in our results in the second quarter," said John Sheridan, Ballard"s President and Chief Executive Officer.

2006 Q2 financial highlights include:

- Growth in revenues of $6.1 million to $15.1 million, year over year

- Reduced net loss to $17.3 million, a 41% improvement from $29.5 million in 2005

- Reduced operating cash consumption(1) to $8.1 million, a 72% improvement from $28.7 million in 2005

- Cash reserves of $213 million

Automotive markets:

Ballard began shipping early prototypes of its next generation Mark 1100 automotive fuel cell and electric drive products for testing and integration to its Alliance partners, DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Company. Compared to the previous generation, the Mark 1100 has increased power output and improved freeze start capability. Automotive engineering development revenues of $2.7 million booked in the quarter reflect the continued progress of Ballard"s next generation automotive programs.

As previously announced, Ballard signed a fuel cell supply agreement for the supply of up to 20 Mark 902 automotive fuel cells to Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Powertrain). Ballard also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shanghai Powertrain to cooperate on the development of fuel cell vehicles for demonstration and field trial programs planned in China in 2006 and 2007.

Non-Automotive markets:

Ballard continued to demonstrate progress in its priority nearer term markets, residential cogeneration, forklifts and back-up power.

In the residential cogeneration market, in the second quarter, Ballard shipped 102 units of its Mark 1030 fuel cell, and booked new orders for 94 units. Year to date, Ballard has shipped or booked new orders for 216 Mark 1030 fuel cells.

Also in the quarter, Ballard began shipping early prototypes of its next generation Mark 1030 residential cogeneration fuel cell for system integration testing. Compared to the previous generation, this unit is 40% lighter, 26% smaller, features increased reliability and has a targeted lifetime of 40,000 hours.

In the fuel cell forklift market, in the second quarter, Ballard shipped 36 units of its Mark 9 SSL(TM) fuel cell, and booked new orders for two units. Year to date, Ballard has shipped or booked new orders for 76 Mark 9 SSL(TM) fuel cells. Ballard"s customers are currently engaged in field trial programs with major end users. As previously indicated, subject to the continuing success of these trials, Ballard anticipates additional shipments and follow on orders for Mark 9 SSL(TM) units in the second half of 2006.

Financial Results

Ballard"s revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2006 were $15.1 million, compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2005. During the second quarter of 2006, engineering development revenue increased $4.3 million and product and service revenues increased $1.8 million, or 21%, compared to the same quarter last year. The increase in engineering development revenue resulted from work performed and achievement of the milestones under the next generation automotive fuel cell and electric drive development programs and the 1kW residential cogeneration fuel cell development program. Product and service revenue totaled $10.8 million for the current year quarter, with product revenues of $6.5 million and service revenues of $4.3 million, compared to product revenues of $6.3 million and service revenues of $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2005. The service revenue increase of $1.6 million was primarily driven by Ballard"s contract to provide field service for fuel cell powered buses in Europe and non-recurring engineering activities for Power Generation customers. While overall product revenues for the quarter were up only 3%, normalizing for discontinued products of automotive fuel cell systems and electronic power converters, product sales this quarter compared to the same quarter last year were up $1.9 million dollars, or 41%, driven by higher stack sales to the automotive, residential co-generation and forklift markets. Ballard continues to expect revenues for 2006 to be in the range of $55 to 65 million.

Ballad"s net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2006 was $17.3 million, or ($0.15) per share, compared with a net loss of $29.5 million, or ($0.24) per share for the same period in 2005. The lower net loss quarter over quarter resulted from a $4.3 million increase in engineering development revenues, a $2.0 million improvement in product and service margins and a $6.0 million decline in operating expenses and depreciation and amortization. Ballard"s improved margins were driven by increased service revenues. The decrease in operating expenses was due to the Company"s sale of Ballard Power Systems AG (BPSAG), which accounted for $6.5 million of the reduction, and cost reduction initiatives that were implemented in late 2005. These reductions were partially offset by increases in research and development expenditures for fuel cell related activities.

Operating cash consumption(1) for the three months ended June 30, 2006 decreased 72% to $8.1 million, compared to $28.7 million in 2005. The decrease in operating cash consumption was driven by lower losses and working capital requirements. Ballard continues to expect operating cash consumption for 2006 to be in the range of $50 to 65 million. Based on the Company"s improved operating performance for the first half of 2006, Ballard now expects its operating cash consumption for 2006 will be in the lower end of this range.

For a more detailed discussion of Ballard"s 2006 second quarter financial results, please see the company"s financial statements and Management"s Discussion & Analysis, which are available at www.ballard.com, www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

1. Operating cash consumption is a non-GAAP measure used to assist in assessing Ballard"s financial performance. A description of the non-GAAP measure and reconciliation to financial statement line items follows.

About Ballard

Ballard Power Systems (TSX:BLD.TO - News)(NASDAQ:BLDP - News) is recognized as a world leader in the development, manufacture and sale of zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Ballard"s mission is to make fuel cells a commercial reality. To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World®, visit www.ballard.com.


Contact:

Contacts:
Ballard Power Systems Inc.
Michelle Cormack
(604) 454-0900

Ballard Power Systems Inc.
Rebecca Young
(604) 454-0900
(604) 412-4700 (FAX)
http://www.ballard.com


Source: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
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