The midyear in autos: 10 ups and downs

Upside: A123 Systems, the Waltham, Mass. maker of lithium-ion batteries, announces it has made an advance in battery chemistry that increases their resistance to extreme hot or cold temperatures without special gear.

Downside: The company reports a first-quarter loss of $125 million as revenues drop 40% from the year earlier as it hires an adviser to consider strategic alternatives. A123 blames a slower-than-anticipated start because the market for electric cars has failed to grow. It recently told investors it has only about five months of cash remaining.

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