Sales highlights - Q2 2008 sales up by 6.4% YoY at EUR156.5m, at constant exchange rates; - Q2 2008 reported sales up 0.3% YoY, impacted by the weakness of the USD; - Continued strong demand for Saft industrial products in Q2 2008, with sustained growth for IBG particularly from emerging markets, and with a recovery in the military market for SBG; - H1 2008 sales of EUR306.4m, up by 7.2% YoY at constant exchange rates and 1.4% at actual rates; - 2008 sales expected to be towards the top of the sales guidance of 4 to 6% growth at constant exchange rates. John Searle, Chairman of the Management Board, commented:

"Saft has experienced continued growth during Q2, and the overallperformance in H1 has been slightly ahead of our full year sales growthguidance. The IBG Division has seen continued strong growth, due to apositive pricing effect, and the continued strength of demand from emergingmarkets for stationary back-up power batteries. I am pleased to reportstronger growth in our SBG Division after a number of quarters beingnegatively impacted by low sales in the military market. Finally, for our RBSDivision, the reduction in sales was largely due to price adjustments relatedto lower nickel costs.

Based on our H1 performance, I now anticipate that our 2008 sales will betowards the top of the guidance range, noting of course that sales in our RBSDivision are linked to the nickel price through a surcharge.

The LME price of nickel has fallen significantly since the beginning ofMay. Whilst this has not impacted the effective nickel cost during the firsthalf, it will reduce overall material costs during H2. Similar costreductions in other metals and materials have not materialized. Saftcontinues with its nickel hedging strategy and now has over 60% of the needsof IBG hedged for the rest of 2008.

Finally, the recent announcement of the contract with Ford to develop andsupply batteries for a fleet of PHEV Ford Escape highlights the continuingprogress of the Johnson Controls-Saft J/V".

TURNOVER (EUR millions, under IFRS) Second quarter Period Q2 2008 Q2 2007 Growth / decline Exchange rate Actual 2008 Actual 2007 at actual at constant exchange rates exchange rates SBG 60.6 61.9 (2.2)% 5.3% IBG 76.6 71.7 6.8% 12.8% RBS 19.3 22.5 (13.8)% (11.0)% Total 156.5 156.1 0.3% 6.4% The average exchange rate in Q2 2008 was EUR1 to $1.56 (compared withEUR1 to $1.35 in Q2 2007).

There was no change in perimeter between Q2 2007 and Q2 2008. First half Period H1 2008 H1 2007 Growth / decline Exchange rate Actual 2008 Actual 2007 at actual at constant exchange rates exchange rates SBG 117.6 121.7 (3.4)% 3.5% IBG 149.2 137.3 8.6% 14.4% RBS 39.6 43.1 (7.9)% (5.1)% Total 306.4 302.1 1.4% 7.2% The average exchange rate in H1 2008 was EUR1 to $1.53 (compared withEUR1 to $1.33 in H1 2007).

There was no change in perimeter between H1 2007 and H1 2008.

Q2 sales of EUR156.5m were up by 0.3% as reported, and by 6.4% atconstant exchange rate.

Industrial Battery Group (IBG)

Sales growth in Q2 remained strong at 12.8% at constant exchange rates,bringing the growth rate for H1 to 14.4%.

The main growth driver during the quarter was the industrial standbypower market, which saw continuing strength, especially from emergingmarkets. Demand remained strong from the oil and gas, electrical powergeneration and distribution markets.

Sales growth in H1 2008 was assisted by the price increases implementedin H1 2007, which only impacted sales during the second half of 2007, and itis estimated that these accounted for more than half of the growth seen in H12008.

Whilst most markets remain supportive, the rate of sales growth will belower during H2 2008 as H1 2008 benefited from the impact of pricing and thestrong growth in the telecom market.

Specialty Battery Group (SBG)

Sales growth at constant exchange rates was 5.3% during Q2 bringing thegrowth rate for H1 to 3.5%.

Continued strength was seen from the civil market, most notably batteriesfor metering systems in the US and satellite batteries. This continued thetrend growth seen throughout 2007.

Q2 saw greater levels of activity in the military market with increasedorders and a recovery in sales, important contracts being announced in theU.S, U.K and Australia.

Saft was pleased to announce the successful renewal of the multi-yearcontract for lithium batteries for the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency,especially as the contract award for Saft was for 100% of the U.S. armedforces' needs. This contract is not expected to materially affect 2008 salesbut provides an important base load for the Saft Valdese plant in NorthAmerica for future years.

Rechargeable Battery Systems (RBS)

Sales in Q2 decreased by 11.0% at constant exchange rates compared withQ2 2007, and overall in H1 the Division had a fall in sales of 5.1%.

It should be noted however that approximately 70% of the decrease in Q2is due to pricing, resulting from the adjustment of the nickel surcharge andits effect on selling prices.

The remaining reduction in sales was again in the emergency lightingsegment, where market demand has decreased since mid-2007 and the competitionremains challenging.

Financial calendar 2008 2008 Half year earnings 28 August 2008 2008 Q3 turnover 6 November 2008 IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statementsincluding, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicatefuture events, trends, plans, objectives or results of operation. Unduereliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature,they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can beaffected by other factors that could cause actual results and Saft's plansand objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in theforward looking statements.

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: SAFT) is a world specialist in the design and manufactureof high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in highperformance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes,transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world's leading manufacturerof nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primarylithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also theEuropean leader for specialised advanced technologies for the defence andspace industries. With approximately 3,900 employees worldwide, Saft ispresent in 17 countries. Its 18 manufacturing sites and extensive salesnetwork enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. For moreinformation, visit Saft at http://www.saftbatteries.com

Press and Investor Contacts: Saft Jill LEDGER, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Director Tel.: +33-1-49-93-17-77, jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com FINANCIAL DYNAMICS Press Contacts Elodie MARCHAND, Tel.: +33-1-47-03-68-17: elodie.marchand@fd.com Henrietta GREEN, Tel.: +33-1-47-03-68-60: henrietta.green@fd.com Investor Relations Valéry LEPINETTE, Tél.: +33-1-47-03-68-62: valery.lepinette@fd.com Clément BENETREAU, Tél.: +33-1-47-03-68-12: clement.benetreau@fd.comSOURCE Saft