Nissan Motor Co. said Monday it will start mass-producing lithium-ion batteries by business 2009 as part of its efforts to catch up with rival automakers in developing eco-friendly vehicles such as gasoline-electric hybrid cars. Automotive Energy Supply Corp., a joint venture set up in April 2007 by Nissan, NEC Corp. and its subsidiary, NEC Tokin Corp., will take charge of production at a new production line to be built in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The line's initial annual output capacity is estimated at 13,000 units.