Translation from the German into the English Language Confidentiality Agreement between MOLL/IQ and AUDI

              Translation from the German into the English Language
               Confidentiality Agreement between XXXX/IQ and AUDI

                                                                    Exhibit 6.17

Manufacturer of Batteries Xxxx GmbH + Co. KG
Postfach 1120 X-00000 Xxxxxxxxxxx
Telefon (09573) 9622-0


                        Mutual Confidentiality Agreement

between


Akkumulatorenfabrik XXXX GmbH + Co. KG,  Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00,
00000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx and IQ Battery GmbH, Munich

hereafter referred to as XXXX/IQ

and

AUDI AG, 85045 Ingolstadt

hereafter referred to as: AUDI

XXXX/IQ  and AUDI have  expressed  mutual  interest  concerning  cooperation  on
development of a new, modified starter battery.

For the purpose of this cooperation a reciprocal confidence is agreed upon.

Both Partners obligate themselves to utilize all conveyed  information  (verbal,
written)  according to principle "need to know" exclusively for agreed Projects.
Publicly   accessible   and   available   information   is  released  from  that
confidentiality. If the information must be forwarded on any occasion outside of
the Project, a specific agreement is required.

Staffelstein, 30.04.1998                   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                           (XXXX)

Ingolstadt, 26.05.1998                     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                           (AUDI)