There are cloned A123 cells right now, although there is no problem procuring the genuine article nor is that anticipated. Unclear if future A123 cells will come from South Korea production or from the Michigan factories. If someone wanted to use cloned cells, an integrator would have to package them in drop-in form for the Volt, or replace individual cells in the battery cases. At this point it is felt that the cloned cells are not of the same quality but this may change in the future.
I don’t think the lithium-ion battery is a smart move. There are known issues [battery fires] with them in laptop computers, the Volt and, now, on the Boeing 787. The 787 has had several battery fires and the fleet has been grounded until the reason is found. I’m not an engineer, but I know trouble when I see it.