lithuim article, page-2

Thanks kingcarmelo,

More evidence of demand for this resource and good that it highlights that the lithium market is way bigger (and secure) than just relying on the potential electric car markets over the next few years as interesting as those prospects might be. 'The Trader Central' comments:

"rechargeable batteries could grow to $51 billion by 2013, driven largely by demand for portable electronics and power tools - and helped along by expanded hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle production and large-scale renewable energy projects."

Main part of the article from 'The Trader Central' is below:
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Lithium the future
April 4th, 2011

The demand for lithium is at all time highs,Lithium is the primary component in modern day battery technology. According to research by SBI reports the market for rechargeable batteries could grow to $51 billion by 2013, driven largely by demand for portable electronics and power tools - and helped along by expanded hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle production and large-scale renewable energy projects. With current annual global lithium demand potentially growing from 100,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent to potentially in excess of 250,000 to 300,000 metric tons per year over the remainder of the current decade.

Demand for Lithium is strong in the automotive industry with the popularity Hybrid vehicles being at an all time high. In Japan, one of Toyota?s most successful vehicles is the hybrid Toyota Prius with a total of 2 million vehicles sold worldwide. Inspired by the success of the Prius is Honda's own hybrid equivalent; the Honda Insight.

China has adopted a plan at turning the country into one of the leading producers of hybrid all electric vehicles within 3 years. China aims to increase its annual production capacity to 500,000 hybrid or all-electric cars and buses by the end of 2013, from 2,100 last year, government officials and Chinese auto executives said. By comparison, CSM Worldwide, a consulting firm that does forecasts for automakers, predicts that Japan and South Korea together will be producing 1.1 million hybrid or all-electric light vehicles by then and North America will be making 267,000.
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Brief details on ASX stocks GXY, ORE, RDR then follow.