in 1994, ovonic battery company formed a joint venture with general motors (gm), called gm ovonic battery, to manufacture nimh batteries for electric vehicles. gm was given a 60% share of the venture, and provided operating capital, manufacturing capability, and management personnel, while obc was given a 40% share, and provided patents, licenses, intellectual property, and engineering personnel. robert stempel, who in 1992 concluded a 37-year career at gm, finishing as chairman and ceo, joined ecd ovonics as an advisor in 1993, and has served as ecd ovonics' chairman since 1995.