Ready-to-Use, Pre-Charged Nickel Metal Hydride Battery

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 7, 2007) - Panasonic, one of the world's leading battery manufacturers, today announced the expansion of its U.S. battery portfolio with INFINIUM™, a new nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery. Available in the spring of 2007, this advanced battery, which can be charged up to 1000 times, was developed in response to consumers' demands for greater convenience, stability and reliability. While at 2007 CES in Las Vegas, Panasonic will present INFINIUM at its booth, #9405 in the Central Hall.

"Panasonic's INFINIUM is a convenient and long-lasting battery that can be used right off the shelf, without initial charging, in portable electronics like digital cameras, MP3 players and toys," said Brian Kimberlin, director for Panasonic's Battery Corporation of America. "The creation of INFINIUM reflects our ongoing commitment to introduce a steady stream of new battery technologies that revolutionize portable power."

INFINIUM's technology is stable and reliable over its extended lifetime. The batteries retain their ability to store maximum power, even after hundreds of charges. In contrast, the capacities of ordinary rechargeable batteries decrease rapidly.

In tests conducted by Panasonic, INFINIUM retained up to 80 percent of its power after nearly a half a year of storage at room temperature. Unlike ordinary rechargeable batteries, INFINIUM comes pre-charged and ready-for-use because of its remarkable resistance to self-discharge.

Additionally, Panasonic is providing a new charging system for INFINIUM that focuses on maximum safety and convenience for consumers. The new charger is small, light-weight and has a fold-out plug, which works anywhere in the world. More importantly, INFINIUM's charger has advanced safety features, such as a childproof cover.

The INFINIUM battery will be available nationally in the standard AA and AAA size for use in all portable appliances. The suggested retail price for a 4-pack is $10.99 and for the charging kit $19.99 - $24.99. Additional information on 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™ Extreme Power™ 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 24 factories in 14 countries, including three 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.

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