Makita Innovation Press Release – Battery Hazards

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makitatools.com INNOVATION PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, December 11, 2014

Makita has the world’s largest cordless tool line-up powered by an 18V slide-style battery. Makita 18V batteries have industry-leading charge-times, including the recently-released 5.0Ah battery which reaches a full charge in only 50 minutes.

MAKITA NOTIFIES TOOL USERS OF THE HAZARDS AND RISKS OF USING NON-GENUINE MAKITA LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

La Mirada, CA – Makita, a worldwide manufacturer of technologically advanced power tools that includes the world’s largest cordless tool line-up powered by an 18V lithium-ion slide-style battery, is delivering a clear message to power tool users and dealers regarding the hazards and risks of non-genuine “knock-off” Makita Lithium-Ion batteries: Don’t do it.

“Makita has been the innovation leader in 18 volt Lithium-Ion cordless tool technology since 2005, and each day Makita cordless tools go to work on jobsites and in workshops across the USA and around the world,” said Ken Hefley, senior vice president, marketing. “Unfortunately, innovation and leadership breed imitation. Therefore, we are communicating to tool users and dealers about the hazards and risks of using non-genuine “knock-off” Makita Lithium-Ion batteries.”
Makita’s message is clear: by using a non-genuine “knock-off” Makita Lithium-Ion battery, users immediately void the Makita warranty on the tool used with the “knock-off” battery. Other possible consequences of using non-genuine Makita batteries include the risk of battery bursting that may result in fires, personal injury, or property damage. Additional risks include possible fire damage to the tool, the battery and/or the charger, as well as unknown tool performance.
Official Statement from Makita U.S.A., Inc.
Below is the Makita U.S.A. Official Statement regarding the use of non-genuine Makita Lithium-Ion batteries.
“KNOCK-OFF” MAKITA LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES MAY BURST
CAUSING FIRES, PERSONAL INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE
CAUTION Makita® U.S.A., Inc. notifies tool users of the hazards and risks
of using non-genuine (“knock-off”) Makita Lithium-Ion batteries.
Makita Lithium-Ion batteries are manufactured to strict standards, and are engineered with internal electronic circuitry to monitor the battery conditions when in use with Makita tools and chargers.  By using a non-genuine Makita “knock-off” battery or batteries that have been altered, the sophisticated  electronic communication system between the battery and charger as well as between the battery and the tool may be defeated.  This will result in:
• Voiding the Makita Warranty for the Makita tool and charger
• Voiding the UL/CSA Standards approval of the tool
When using non-genuine Makita batteries, there is also a risk of:
• The battery bursting that may result in personal injury and/or property damage
• Possible fire damage to the tool, the battery and/or the charger
• Unknown tool performance
Makita bears no liability for accidents, personal injury or property damage (or damage to batteries, tools or chargers) that occurs as a result of the use of “knock-off” batteries, or batteries that have been repaired or altered in any way.
Don’t be fooled! Genuine Makita batteries are black in color, have the Makita trademark logo with Lithium-Ion identification on both sides, and have the Makita trademark logo on the bottom of the battery. “Knock-off” batteries may appear to be similar to genuine Makita batteries but have no Makita branding on them. Makita only approves the use of genuine parts and accessories with Makita tools. Makita does not approve the use of non-genuine or “knock-off” Lithium-Ion batteries which are marketed and sold by third parties for use in Makita Lithium-Ion cordless tools.
If there is any question whether your battery is a genuine Makita product, or if you have a performance issue with your Makita battery, tool, or charger, contact a Makita Factory Service Center or Authorized Service Center, or call (800)4-MAKITA.