<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of September 20, 2001,
is made between Amerigon Incorporated, a California corporation (the "Company"),
and Big Beaver Investments LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
"Lender").

     The Company has requested the Lender to make a term loan to the Company in
an aggregate principal amount of up to One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,500,000) as provided herein. The Lender is willing to make such loan upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     The Lender may elect to convert some or all of such loan into Common Stock
of the Company as provided herein.

     In order to induce the Lender to enter into this Agreement, the Company has
agreed to issue a warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company to
the Lender or its members as provided herein.

     Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

     SECTION 1.01   CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

     "AFFILIATE" means any Person which, directly or indirectly, controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with another Person. For purposes of
the foregoing, "control," "controlled by" and "under common control with" with
respect to any Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or
otherwise.

     "BRIDGE LOAN WARRANT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.

     "BUSINESS DAY" means a day of the year on which commercial banks are not
required or authorized by law to close in Los Angeles, California.

     "CHARTER DOCUMENTS" means the Company's articles of incorporation, bylaws
and other organizational documents, each as may be amended, modified or restated
from time to time.

     "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock, no par value per share, of the
Company, and any securities or other property into or for which such Common
Stock may hereafter be converted or exchanged.
<PAGE>

     "CLOSING DATE" means the date upon which the conditions set forth in
Sections 3.01 and 3.02 are satisfied and the Lender makes the First Loan Advance
to the Company.

     "COLLATERAL" means the property described in one or more of the Collateral
Documents, and all other property now existing or hereafter acquired which may
at any time be or become subject to a Lien in favor of the Lender pursuant to
one or more of the Collateral Documents or otherwise, securing the payment and
performance of the Obligations.

     "COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS" means the Security Agreement, the Patent and
Trademark Security Agreement, the Membership Pledge Agreement, any other
agreement pursuant to which the Company provides a Lien on its assets in favor
of the Lender, and all filings (including, but not limited to, all U.C.C.
financing statements filed to perfect the security interests granted in the
Security Agreement), documents and agreements made or delivered pursuant
thereto.

     "COMMITMENT" means the Lender's obligation to make the Loan on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

     "DEFAULT" means an Event of Default or an event or condition which with
notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

     "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all federal, state or local laws, statutes,
common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances, judgments and codes, together
with all administrative orders, directives, requests, licenses, authorizations
and permits of, and agreements with (including consent decrees), any
governmental agencies or authorities, in each case relating to or imposing
liability or standards of conduct concerning public health, safety and/or
environmental protection matters, including Hazardous Substances.

     "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.

     "FINAL MATURITY DATE" means the earlier to occur of (i) December 1, 2001,
(ii) the occurrence of a Trigger Event, or (iii) acceleration of the Loan
pursuant to Section 6.02.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States,
consistently applied.

     "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" means any toxic, radioactive, caustic or other
hazardous substances, materials, wastes, contaminants or pollutants, including
asbestos, PCBs, petroleum products and byproducts, and any substances defined or
listed as "hazardous substances," "hazardous materials," "hazardous wastes" or
"toxic substances" (or similarly identified or having any constituent substances
displaying any of the foregoing characteristics), regulated under or forming the
basis for liability under any applicable Environmental Law.

     "INDEBTEDNESS" means, for any Person: (i) all indebtedness or other
obligations of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price
of property or services which purchase price is (a) due more than six (6) months
from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof, or (b)
evidenced by a note or similar written instrument, but excluding trade payables
incurred in the ordinary course of business; (ii) all obligations evidenced by
notes,

                                       2
<PAGE>

bonds, debentures or similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced
incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses
described in clause (i) above; (iii) all indebtedness created or arising under
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property
acquired by such Person; (iv) all reimbursement and other obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit and bankers acceptances and all net
obligations in respect of interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars,
currency swaps, and other similar financial products; (v) all obligations under
leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as
capital leases; and/or (vi) all indebtedness of another Person of the types
referred to in clauses (i) through (v) guaranteed directly or indirectly in any
manner by the Person for whom indebtedness is being determined, or in effect
guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person through an agreement to
purchase or acquire such indebtedness, to advance or supply funds for the
payment or purchase of such indebtedness or otherwise assure a creditor against
loss, or secured by any Lien upon or in property owned by the Person for whom
indebtedness is being determined, whether or not such Person has assumed or
become liable for the payment of such indebtedness of such other Person.

     "INVESTORS RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Investors' Rights Agreement dated as
of June 8, 1999 among the Company, the Lender and Westar Capital II LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("Westar").

     "LIEN" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, assignment, deposit
arrangement, charge or encumbrance, lien or other type of preferential
arrangement (other than a financing statement filed by a lessor in respect of an
operating lease in the ordinary course of business not intended as security).

     "LOAN ADVANCE" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

     "LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Note, the Collateral Documents
and all other certificates, documents, agreements and instruments delivered to
the Lender under or in connection with this Agreement or the Loan.

     "LOAN" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.

     "MARKET PRICE" shall mean (i) the average closing bid price of the Common
Stock, for ten (10) consecutive Business Days ending on the Closing Date, as
reported by Nasdaq, if the Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market,
or (ii) the average last reported sale price of the Common Stock, for ten (10)
consecutive Business Days ending on the Closing Date, as reported by the primary
exchange on which the Common Stock is traded, if the Common Stock is traded on a
national securities exchange, or by Nasdaq, if the Common Stock is traded on the
Nasdaq National Market; provided, however, that such price shall not be greater
than the average closing bid price or the last reported sale price, as the case
may be, for the ninety (90) calendar days ending on the Closing Date.

     "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means any event, circumstance or condition that,
individually or in the aggregate: (i) has or could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, liabilities
(including without limitation contingent liabilities), prospects, employee
relationships, customer or supplier relationships, or

                                       3
<PAGE>

the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company; (ii) would materially
impair the ability of the Company to perform or observe its obligations under or
in respect of any of the Loan Documents; or (iii) adversely affects the
legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any of the Loan
Documents or the perfection or priority of any Lien granted to the Lender under
any of the Collateral Documents.

     "MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means the Membership Interest Pledge
Agreement between the Company and the Lender, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Lender.

     "NOTE" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.

     "OBLIGATIONS" means the indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of
the Company to the Lender under or in connection with the Loan Documents,
including the Loan, all interest accrued thereon, all fees due under this
Agreement and all other amounts payable by the Company to the Lender thereunder
or in connection therewith.

     "PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Patent and Trademark
Security Agreement between the Company and the Lender, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lender.

     "PERMITTED LIENS" means: (i) Liens in favor of the Lender; (ii) the
existing Liens (including leases and subleases) listed in Schedule 1 or incurred
                                                          ----------
in connection with the extension, renewal or refinancing of the Indebtedness
secured by such existing Liens, provided that any extension, renewal or
replacement Lien shall be limited to the property encumbered by the existing
Lien and the principal amount of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or
refinanced does not increase; (iii) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other
governmental charges or levies, either not delinquent or being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and which are adequately reserved for in
accordance with GAAP, provided the same does not have priority over any of the
Lender's Liens and no notice of tax lien has been filed of record; (iv) Liens of
materialmen, mechanics, warehousemen, carriers or employees or other similar
Liens provided for by mandatory provisions of law and securing obligations
either not delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and which do not in the aggregate materially impair the use or value
of the property or risk the loss or forfeiture thereof; (v) Liens consisting of
deposits or pledges to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases,
public or statutory obligations, or other obligations of a like nature incurred
in the ordinary course of business (other than for Indebtedness); (vi) Liens
upon or in any equipment acquired or held by the Company to secure the purchase
price of such equipment, or Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of
financing the acquisition of such equipment; and (vii) restrictions and other
minor encumbrances on real property which do not in the aggregate materially
impair the use or value of such real property or risk the loss or forfeiture
thereof.

     "PERSON" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity
of whatever nature, or any governmental agency or authority.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, with respect to any Person, the chief
executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer or the treasurer
of such Person, or any other senior officer of such Person having substantially
the same authority and responsibility.

     "SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Security Agreement between the Company and
the Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.

     "TRIGGER EVENT" means that the Company (or its Board of Directors) shall
have authorized, recommended, proposed or publicly announced its intention to
enter into (or has failed to recommend rejection of) any tender or exchange
offer, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, business combination,
recapitalization, acquisition, or disposition of a material amount of assets or
securities or any comparable transaction which has not been consented to in
writing by the Lender.

     SECTION 1.02   ACCOUNTING TERMS. Unless otherwise defined or the context
otherwise requires, all accounting terms not expressly defined herein shall be
construed, and all accounting determinations and computations required under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made, in accordance with
GAAP.

     SECTION 1.03   INTERPRETATION. In the Loan Documents, except to the extent
the context otherwise requires: (i) any reference to an Article, a Section, a
Schedule or an Exhibit is a reference to an article or section thereof, or a
schedule or an exhibit thereto, respectively, and to a subsection or a clause
is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to a subsection or a clause of the
Section or subsection in which the reference appears; (ii) the words "hereof,"
"herein," "hereto," "hereunder" and the like mean and refer to this Agreement or
any other Loan Document as a whole and not merely to the specific Article,
Section, subsection, paragraph or clause in which the respective word appears;
(iii) the meaning of defined terms shall be equally applicable to both the
singular and plural forms of the terms defined; (iv) the words "including,"
"includes" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation"; (v) references to agreements and other contractual instruments
shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications
thereto, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not
prohibited by the terms of the Loan Documents; (vi) references to statutes or
regulations are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory
provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation
referred to; (vii) any table of contents, captions and headings are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (viii) in the computation of periods
of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means
"from and including"; the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding";
and the word "through" means "to and including."

                                  ARTICLE II

                                   THE LOAN

     SECTION 2.01   LOAN. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including satisfaction of the conditions set forth under Article III, the Lender
agrees to make a term loan to the Company in an aggregate principal amount of
One Million Five Hundred

                                       5
<PAGE>

Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) (the "Loan"), to be advanced to the Company in
four (4) installments as follows (each a "Loan Advance"): (i) the first
distribution of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) is to be advanced on
the Closing Date (the "First Loan Advance"); (ii) the second distribution of Two
Hundred Fifty-Thousand Dollars ($250,000) is to be advanced on October 1, 2001
(the "Second Loan Advance"); (iii) the third distribution of Two Hundred Fifty-
Thousand Dollars ($250,000) is to be advanced within two (2) Business Days after
the Company satisfies the conditions set forth in Section 3.04, but in no event
earlier than October 1, 2001 (the "Third Loan Advance"); and (iv) the fourth
distribution of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) is to be advanced on
November 1, 2001 (the "Fourth Loan Advance"). Whenever any Loan Advance
hereunder shall be stated to be made on a day other than a Business Day, then
such Loan Advance shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day.

     SECTION 2.02   [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

     SECTION 2.03   EVIDENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS. The Company shall execute and
deliver for account of the Lender a promissory note (the "Note"), in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Lender, as additional evidence of the Indebtedness
of the Company to the Lender resulting from the Loan.

     SECTION 2.04   INTEREST. The Company hereby promises to pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount of the Loan from the date of each Loan Advance until
maturity thereof, at a rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum, on the date of
any prepayment of the Loan and at the Final Maturity Date.

     Any principal payments on the Loan not paid when due and, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, any interest payments on the Loan not paid when
due, in each case whether at stated maturity, by notice of prepayment, by
acceleration or otherwise, shall thereafter bear interest (including post-
petition interest in any proceeding under applicable bankruptcy laws) payable on
demand at a rate which is five percent (5%) per annum in excess of the interest
rate otherwise payable under this Agreement for the Loan. Payment or acceptance
of the increased rates of interest provided for in this paragraph is not a
permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any
Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of the
Lender.

     SECTION 2.05   COMPUTATIONS. All computations of fees and interest
hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days
for the actual number of days occurring in the period for which any such
interest or fee is payable.

     SECTION 2.06   HIGHEST LAWFUL RATE. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, if during any period for which interest is computed hereunder,
the applicable interest rate, together with all fees, charges and other payments
which are treated as interest under applicable law, as provided for herein or in
any other Loan Document, would exceed the maximum rate of interest which may be
charged, contracted for, reserved, received or collected by the Lender in
connection with this Agreement under applicable law (the "Maximum Rate"), the
Company shall not be obligated to pay, and the Lender shall not be entitled to
charge, collect, receive, reserve or take, interest in excess of the Maximum
Rate, and during any such period the interest payable hereunder shall be limited
to the Maximum Rate.

                                       6
<PAGE>

     SECTION 2.07   [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

     SECTION 2.08   REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN. The Company hereby promises to pay to
the Lender the outstanding principal amount of the Loan and any accrued interest
thereon in full on the Final Maturity Date.

     SECTION 2.09   PREPAYMENTS OF THE LOANS.

     (a)  OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. The Company may, upon prior notice to the
Lender, prepay the outstanding amount of the Loan in whole or in part, without
premium or penalty.

     (b)  NOTICE; APPLICATION. The notice given of any prepayment shall specify
the date and amount of the prepayment. If the notice of prepayment is given, the
Company shall make such prepayment and the prepayment amount specified in such
notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, with accrued
interest to such date. Each prepayment by or on behalf of the Company hereunder
shall, unless a specific determination is made by the Lender with respect
thereto, be applied (i) first, to accrued and unpaid interest due the Lender,
and (ii) second, to principal due the Lender.

     SECTION 2.10   PAYMENTS.

     (a)  PAYMENTS. The Company shall make each payment under the Loan
Documents, unconditionally in full without deduction, set-off, counterclaim or,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, other defense, and free and clear of,
and without reduction for or on account of, any present or future taxes or
withholdings (other than a tax on the overall net income of the Lender), and all
liabilities with respect thereto. Each payment shall be made not later than
11:00 A.M. (California time) on the day when due to the Lender in U.S. dollars
and in immediately available funds, or such other funds as shall be separately
agreed upon in writing by the Company and the Lender, in accordance with the
Lender's payment instructions.

     (b)  EXTENSION. Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due,
or whenever any interest payment date or any other date specified hereunder
would otherwise occur, on a day other than a Business Day, then, except as
otherwise provided herein, such payment shall be made, and such interest payment
date or other date shall occur, on the next succeeding Business Day, and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment
of accrued interest.

     (c)  APPLICATION. Each payment by or on behalf of the Company hereunder
shall, unless a specific determination is made by the Lender with respect
thereto, be applied (i) first, to accrued and unpaid interest due the Lender,
and (ii) second, to principal due the Lender.

     SECTION 2.11   CONVERSION OF LOANS INTO COMMON STOCK. The Lender shall have
conversion rights as follows (the "Conversion Rights"):

     (a)  CONVERSION RIGHTS. The Lender may elect in its sole discretion to
convert the principal of and/or interest accrued under all or a portion of the
Note into Common Stock at a conversion price equal to the Market Price of the
Common Stock; provided, however, that if the

                                       7
<PAGE>

Company, while any of the Obligations shall remain unpaid or the Lender shall
have any Commitment, issues equity securities in excess of One Million Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) in an offering at an issuance price that
is less than the Market Price, the conversion price shall be reduced to such
issuance price (the "Conversion Price"). The Conversion Price shall be subject
to adjustment as set forth in Section 2.11(c).

     (b)  MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. Before the Lender shall be entitled to
convert the Note into shares of Common Stock, the Lender shall, in the case of a
partial conversion of the Note, indicate on the face of the Note the amount so
converted and provide a copy of the Note to the Company or, in the case of the
conversion of all of the remaining outstanding principal and interest due under
the Note, surrender the Note, duly endorsed, at the office of the Company and
shall give written notice to the Company at its principal corporate office, of
the election to convert the same or a portion thereof and shall state therein
the name or names in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common
Stock are to be issued. The Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter,
issue and deliver at such office to the Lender, or to the nominee or nominees of
the Lender, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common
Stock to which such persons shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion
shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on
the date of such surrender of the Note (or a copy thereof as provided herein)
and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock as of such date. If the
conversion is in connection with an underwritten offering of securities
registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), the conversion may, at the option of the Lender, be conditioned upon the
closing with the underwriters of the sale of securities pursuant to such
offering, in which event the person or persons entitled to receive the Common
Stock upon conversion of the Note shall not be deemed to have converted such
Note until immediately prior to the closing of such sale of securities.

     (c)  CONVERSION PRICE ADJUSTMENTS OF NOTE FOR CERTAIN DILUTIVE SPLITS AND
COMBINATIONS. The Conversion Price of the Note shall be subject to adjustment
from time to time as follows:

          (i)   In the event the Company should at any time or from time to time
     after the Closing Date fix a record date for the effectuation of a split or
     subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or the determination
     of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive a dividend or other
     distribution payable in additional shares of Common Stock without payment
     of any consideration by such holder for the additional shares of Common
     Stock, then, as of such record date (or the date of such dividend
     distribution, split or subdivision if no record date is fixed), the
     Conversion Price of the Note shall be appropriately decreased so that the
     number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of the Note shall
     be increased in proportion to such increase of the aggregate of shares of
     Common Stock outstanding.  In the event the Company shall declare or pay,
     without consideration, any dividend on the Common Stock payable in any
     right to acquire Common Stock for no consideration, then the Company shall
     be deemed to have made a dividend payable in Common Stock in an amount of
     shares equal to the maximum number of shares issuable upon exercise of such
     rights to acquire Common Stock.

                                       8
<PAGE>

          (ii)  If the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any time
     after the Closing Date is decreased by a combination of the outstanding
     shares of common stock, then, following the record date of such
     combination, the Conversion Price for the Note shall be appropriately
     increased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on
     conversion of the Note or a portion thereof shall be decreased in
     proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares.

          (iii) All adjustments to the Conversion Price will be calculated to
     the nearest cent of a dollar.  No adjustment in the Conversion Price will
     be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of
     at least one cent per dollar; provided, however, that any adjustments which
     by reason of this Section 2.11(c)(iii) are not required to be made shall be
     carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.  All
     adjustments to the Conversion Price shall be made successively.

     (d)  RECAPITALIZATIONS AND REORGANIZATIONS. If the Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Note shall be changed into or exchanged for a different
class or classes of capital stock, or other securities or property whether by
reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise (other than a subdivision,
combination or merger or sale of assets transaction provided for elsewhere in
this Section 2.11), provision shall be made so that the Lender shall thereafter
be entitled to receive upon conversion of the Note the number of shares of stock
or other securities or property to which a holder of Common Stock deliverable
upon conversion would have been entitled on such recapitalization or
reorganization. In any such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the
application of the provisions of this Section 2.11 with respect to the rights of
the Lender after the recapitalization or reorganization to the end that the
provisions of this Section 2.11 (including adjustment of the Conversion Price
then in effect and the number of shares purchasable upon conversion of the Note)
shall be applicable after the event as nearly equivalent as may be practicable.

     (e)  NO IMPAIRMENT. The Company will not, by amendment of any of its
Charter Documents or through any reorganization, recapitalization, transfer of
assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any
other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performances of
any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Company, but will
at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out all of the provisions of
this Section 2.11 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or
appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Rights of the Lender against
impairment.

     (f)  NO FRACTIONAL SHARES AND CERTIFICATE AS TO ADJUSTMENTS.

          (i)   No fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of the
     Note and the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded
     to the nearest whole share.  Whether or not fractional shares are issuable
     upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the amount of the
     Note the Lender is at the time converting into Common Stock and the number
     of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such aggregate conversion.

          (ii)  Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the
     Conversion Price of the Note pursuant to this Section 2.11, the Company, at
     its expense,

                                       9
<PAGE>

     shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with
     the terms hereof and prepare and furnish to the Lender a certificate
     setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the
     facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Company
     shall, upon the written request at any time of the Lender, furnish or cause
     to be furnished to the Lender a like certificate setting forth (A) such
     adjustment and readjustment, (B) the Conversion Price for the Note at the
     time in effect, and (C) the number of shares of Common Stock and the
     amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon
     the conversion of the Note.

     (g)  NOTICES OF RECORD DATE. In the event of any taking by the Company of a
record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining
the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend (other than a cash
dividend) or other distribution, any right to subscribe for, purchase or
otherwise acquire any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or
property, or to receive any other right (except the right to vote), the Company
shall mail to the Lender at least twenty (20) days prior to the date specified
therein, a notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken
for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and
character of such dividend, distribution or right.

     (h)  RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION. The Company shall at
all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares
of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting conversion of the Note,
such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be
sufficient to effect the conversion of the Note; and if at any time the number
of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to
effect the conversion of the Note, in addition to such other remedies as shall
be available to the Lender, the Company will take such corporate action as may,
in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient
for such purposes, including, without limitation, engaging in best efforts to
obtain the requisite shareholder approval of any necessary amendment to its
Charter Documents.

     (i)  NO SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
construed as conferring upon the Lender or any other person the right to vote or
to consent to receive notice as a shareholder in respect of meeting of
shareholders for the election of directors of the Company or any or any other
matters or any other rights whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company and no
dividends or interest shall be payable or accrued in respect of the Note or the
Common Stock obtainable under this Section 2.11 until, and only to the extent
that, the Note shall have been converted.

     (j)  SATISFACTION OF THE LOAN UPON CONVERSION. If the Note is converted in
full into Common Stock as provided herein, it will be deemed to be payment in
full for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (except the
Bridge Loan Warrant), or if the Note is converted in part into Common Stock as
provided herein, it will be deemed to be payment under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents (except the Bridge Loan Warrant) up to the amount of the
Note so converted.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     SECTION 2.12   WARRANT.

     (a)  Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and in
consideration of the Lender's agreement to make the Loan to the Company, the
Company will issue to the Lender a warrant to purchase an amount of the Common
Stock of the Company equal to eighteen (18%) of the principal amount of the Loan
(i.e. 270,000) divided by the Exercise Price (as defined below) and on the terms
and conditions set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the "Bridge Loan Warrant").
                            ---------

     (b)  The Exercise Price of the Warrant shall be equal to the Conversion
Price, as further provided in the Bridge Loan Warrant.

     SECTION 2.13   LIMITATION ON CONVERSION RIGHTS AND EXERCISE OF WARRANT.
To the extent that, after giving effect to the Lender's conversion under the
Note and exercise under the Bridge Loan Warrant, the Lender will have the right
to acquire twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Company such that a shareholder vote is required under applicable NASDAQ rules,
the Lender will have (i) the right to acquire up to nineteen and ninety-nine one
hundredths percent (19.99%) of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company and
(ii) the conditional right to acquire a greater percentage of the outstanding
Common Stock, as contemplated by Sections 2.11 and 2.12, at such time that the
Company complies with applicable NASDAQ rules.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with such NASDAQ
rules, including obtaining the necessary shareholder approval.

                                  ARTICLE III

                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     SECTION 3.01   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE LOAN AND THE FIRST LOAN ADVANCE.
The obligation of the Lender to make the Loan and the First Loan Advance shall
be subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent
before or concurrently on the Closing Date:

     (a)  FEES AND EXPENSES. The Company shall have paid all fees and invoiced
costs and expenses then due hereunder, including fees, costs and expenses set
forth in Section 7.04(a).

     (b)  LOAN DOCUMENTS. The Lender shall have received the following Loan
Documents: (i) this Agreement executed by the Company; (ii) the Note executed by
the Company; and (iii) the Collateral Documents executed by each of the
respective parties thereto.

     (c)  DOCUMENTS AND ACTIONS RELATING TO COLLATERAL. The Lender shall have
received, in form and substance satisfactory to it, results of such Lien
searches as it shall reasonably request, and evidence that all filings,
registrations and recordings have been made in the appropriate governmental
offices, and all other action has been taken, which shall be necessary to
create, in favor of the Lender, a perfected first priority Lien on the
Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens.

                                       11
<PAGE>

     (d)  ADDITIONAL CLOSING DOCUMENTS. The Lender shall have received the
following, in form and substance satisfactory to it: (i) evidence that all (A)
authorizations or approvals of any governmental agency or authority, and (B)
approvals or consents of any other Person, required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents shall have been
obtained; and (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or other appropriate officer
of the Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying (A) copies of its Charter
Documents and the resolutions and other actions taken or adopted by the Company
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents, and
(B) the incumbency, authority and signatures of each officer of the Company
authorized to execute and deliver the Loan Documents and act with respect
thereto.

     (e)  LEGAL OPINION. The Lender shall have received an opinion of legal
counsel to the Company dated the Closing Date, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
---------

     (f)  BRIDGE LOAN WARRANT. The Lender shall have received a duly executed
Bridge Loan Warrant, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
                                                    ---------

     (g)  AMENDMENT TO INVESTORS RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Company, the Lender and
Westar shall have entered into the Second Amendment to the Investors Rights'
Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
                                                        ---------

     (h)  AMENDMENT TO OPTION AGREEMENT. The Lender shall have received a duly
executed Third Amendment to Option Agreement, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D.
---------

     (i)  ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. The Lender shall have received a certificate, in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, executed by Westar and each of the
                            ---------
Company's directors and officers who hold capital stock or other securities of
the Company.

     (j)  LANDLORD'S WAIVER. The Lender shall have received an agreement and
waiver, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, executed by the Company's
                                       ---------
landlord for the premises located in Irwindale, California.

     SECTION 3.02   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE LOAN AND ALL LOAN ADVANCES. The
obligation of the Lender to make the Loan and each Loan Advance shall be subject
to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent before or
concurrently on the date of the Loan and each Loan Advance:

     (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties of
the Company contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or in any
certificate or document delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be true on and as of
the date of the Loan and each Loan Advance as though such representations and
warranties were made at and as of such date(s).

     (b)  COMPLIANCE. The Company shall have performed and complied with all
agreements and conditions required by this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to be performed or complied with by it.

                                       12
<PAGE>

     (c)  OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE. The Lender shall have received certificates
duly executed by the President of the Company dated the date of the Loan and
each Loan Advance certifying in such detail as the Lender may reasonably request
to the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Sections 3.02(a) and 3.02(b).

     (d)  MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. On and as of the date of each Loan Advance,
there shall have occurred no change or event since the date of this Agreement
that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (e)  NO DEFAULT. On the date of each Loan Advance, both before and after
giving effect thereto and to the application of proceeds therefrom, no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result from the making of such
Loan Advance. The acceptance by the Company of the proceeds of each Loan Advance
shall be deemed a certification to the Lender that on and as of the date of such
Loan Advance no material Default shall have occurred or shall result from the
making of such Loan Advance.

     (f)  ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. The Lender shall have received, in form and
substance satisfactory to it, such additional approvals, opinions, documents and
other information as the Lender may reasonably request.

     SECTION 3.03   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE SECOND LOAN ADVANCE.  The
obligation of the Lender to make the Second Loan Advance shall be subject to the
satisfaction by the Company of all conditions set forth in Sections 3.01 and
3.02 before or concurrently on the date of the Second Loan Advance.

     SECTION 3.04   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE THIRD LOAN ADVANCE. The
obligation of the Lender to make the Third Loan Advance shall be subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent before or
concurrently on the date of the Third Loan Advance:

     (a)  COMPLIANCE. The Company shall have performed and complied with all
conditions precedent set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02.

     (b)  INVESTMENT BANKER LETTER. The Lender shall have received on or before
October 17, 2001, in form and substance satisfactory to it, an engagement letter
executed by the Company and a third-party investment banker of recognizable
reputation regarding future Company financing(s).

     SECTION 3.05   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE FOURTH LOAN ADVANCE. The
obligation of the Lender to make the Fourth Loan Advance shall be subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent before or
concurrently on the date of the Fourth Loan Advance:

     (a)  COMPLIANCE. The Company shall have performed and complied with all
conditions precedent set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02.

     (b)  MAKING OF THIRD LOAN ADVANCE. The Lender shall have made the Third
Loan Advance pursuant to the terms and conditions herein.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE IV

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     SECTION 4.01   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. Except as
specifically set forth in the Disclosure Letter, with each disclosure to
reference the Section or Sections hereof to which it relates, the Company
represents and warrants to the Lender that the following statements are true and
correct on and as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct on
and as of the date of each Loan Advance as if made on such date(s):

     (a)  ORGANIZATION AND POWERS. The Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California,
and has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
Obligations under the Loan Documents. The Company is qualified to do business
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify
or be in good standing would result in a Material Adverse Effect and has all
requisite power and authority to own its assets and carry on its business.

     (b)  AUTHORIZATION; NO CONFLICT. The execution, delivery and performance by
the Company of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action of the Company and do not and will not (i) result in a
violation of any of its Charter Documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, indenture or instrument
to which the Company or any of its properties is subject, or result in a
violation of any material law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
(including U.S. federal and state securities laws and regulations, including
NASDAQ rules or other rules of any exchange) applicable to the Company or by
which any property or asset of the Company is bound or affected, and (iii)
except as contemplated by this Agreement, result in, or require, the creation or
imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any of the properties, assets or
revenues of the Company. The Company is not in violation of any of its Charter
Documents, or of any judgment, order, writ, decree, law, rule or regulation to
which the Company or its properties is subject in any material respect. The
Company is not in default (and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse
of time or both, would put the Company in default) under, nor has there occurred
any event giving others (with notice or lapse of time or both) any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement,
indenture or instrument to which the Company is a party or any of its properties
is subject in any material respect.

     (c)  BINDING OBLIGATION. The Loan Documents constitute, or when delivered
under this Agreement, will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective
terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating
to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other
equitable remedies.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     (d)  CONSENTS. No authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of,
or filing or registration with, any governmental agency or authority, or
approval or consent of any other Person, is required for the due execution,
delivery or performance by the Company of any of the Loan Documents, except for
such approvals as have been obtained or as set forth in Schedule 2 hereto.
                                                        ----------

     (e)  LITIGATION. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation
pending, or to the Company's knowledge, currently threatened against the
Company, except as which individually or in the aggregate would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not a party or subject to the provisions
of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government
agency or instrumentality. Except as set forth on the Disclosure Letter, there
is no material action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company
currently pending or that the Company intends to initiate.

     (f)  PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS. The Company owns or licenses from another
person all inventions, patents, patent rights, computer software, trademarks,
trademark rights, service marks, service mark rights, trade names, trade name
rights and copyrights (collectively, the "Intellectual Property") necessary for
its business without any conflict with or infringement of the valid rights of
others and the lack of which could materially and adversely affect the
operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company, and the Company
has not received any notice of infringement upon or conflict with the asserted
rights of others. The Disclosure Letter contains a complete list of all such
patents, patent rights, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, all agreements
related to the foregoing, and all agreements pursuant to which the Company
licenses Intellectual Property from or to a third party (excluding "shrink wrap"
license agreements relating solely to off the shelf software which is not
material to the Company's business). All such Intellectual Property owned by the
Company is owned free and clear of all Liens, adverse claims, encumbrances, or
restrictions, except for restrictions contained in the terms of the licenses
listed in the Disclosure Letter. All such Intellectual Property licensed by the
Company is the subject of a license agreement which is legal, valid, binding and
enforceable and in full force and effect. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not result in the termination or impairment of the
Company's ownership of, or right to use, any Intellectual Property. The Company
has a valuable body of trade secrets, including know-how, concepts, business
plans, and other technical data (the "Proprietary Information") for the
development, manufacture and sale of its products. The Company has the right to
use the Proprietary Information free and clear of any material rights, Liens,
encumbrances or claims of others. The Company is not aware, after reasonable
investigation, that any of its employees is obligated under any contract
(including licenses, covenants or commitments of any nature) or other agreement,
or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative
agency, that would interfere with the use of his or her best efforts to promote
the interests of the Company or that would conflict with the Company's business
in any material respect.

     (g)  TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS. The Company has good and marketable title
to, or valid and subsisting leasehold interests in, its properties and assets,
including all property forming a part of the Collateral, in all material
respects, and there is no Lien upon or with respect to any of such properties or
assets, including any of the Collateral, except for Permitted Liens.

                                       15
<PAGE>

     (h)  SEC DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Since January 1, 1997, the
Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents required to be filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (all of the foregoing and all exhibits
included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents
incorporated by reference therein, with amendments read together with underlying
documents, are referred to herein as the "SEC Documents"). As of their
respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC
Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their
respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC
Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable
accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
GAAP during the periods involved and fairly and accurately present in all
material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results
of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the
case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Except as
set forth in the most recent balance sheet provided to the Lender or the
Disclosure Letter, the Company has no liabilities, contingent or otherwise,
other than (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
subsequent to the date of such financial statements and (ii) obligations under
contracts and commitments incurred in the ordinary course of business and not
required under GAAP to be reflected in such financial statements, which,
individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the financial condition or
operating results of the Company. Except as disclosed in such financial
statements or in the Disclosure Letter, the Company is not a guarantor or
indemnitor of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

     (i)  WARRANT AND CONVERSION RIGHTS. The Bridge Loan Warrant is duly
authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will be free of Liens,
claims, encumbrances and restrictions on transfer, other than restrictions on
transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws or as set forth
therein. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Bridge Loan
Warrant and upon exercise of the Conversion Rights are duly authorized and
reserved for issuance, and, upon exercise of the Bridge Loan Warrant and the
Conversion Rights, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms thereof,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and will be free of Liens,
claims, encumbrances and restrictions on transfer, other than restrictions on
transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws or as set forth
therein. The Disclosure Letter sets forth (A) the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock, and (B) the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock.

     (j)  TAX RETURNS. The Company has timely filed all tax returns (federal,
state and local) required to be filed by it and such tax returns are true and
correct in all material respects. In addition, (i) the Company has not requested
any extension of time within which to file any tax returns in respect of any
fiscal year which have not since been filed and no request for waivers of the
time to assess any taxes are pending or outstanding, (ii) no claim for taxes has
become a Lien

                                       16
<PAGE>

against the property of the Company or is being asserted against the Company
other than liens for taxes not yet due and payable, (iii) no audit of any tax
return of the Company is being conducted by a tax authority, (iv) no extension
of the statute of limitations on the assessment of any taxes has been granted
to, by or applied for by, the Company and is currently in effect, and (v) there
is no agreement, contract or arrangement to which the Company is a party that
may result in the payment of any amount that would not be deductible by reason
of Sections 280G, 162 or 404 of the Internal Revenue Code.

     (k)  PERMITS. The Company has all material franchises, permits, licenses
and any similar authority necessary for the conduct of its business ("Permits").
The Company is not in default in any material respect under any of such Permits.

     (l)  ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY LAWS. The Company is not in violation of any
applicable material statute, law or regulation relating to the environment or
occupational health and safety or Hazardous Substances, and no material
expenditures are or will be required in order to comply with any such existing
statute, law or regulation.

     (m)  ORGANIZATION AND POWERS OF BSST. BSST LLC is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware. BSST is qualified to do business and is in good standing
in each jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify or be in good standing
would result in a material adverse effect on BSST or its business or operations,
and has all requisite limited liability power and authority to own its assets
and carry on its business.

     (n)  VALID SENIOR LOAN. The Loan and the Obligations under the Loan
Documents constitute a valid senior secured debt of the Company owed to the
Lender, negotiated and consummated at arm's length, and in no respects
constitutes equity or an equity contribution to the Company or its Affiliates on
the part of the Lender or its Affiliates. The Company hereby forever waives any
and all rights and claims to characterize the Loan or any Obligation as equity
or equity contribution by the Lender or its Affiliates.

     (o)  NO USURY. The Loan Documents and the Obligations are in compliance
with California Corporations Code Section 25118, and do not violate any usury
laws of the State of California or the United States.

     SECTION 4.02   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LENDER. The Lender
represents and warrants to the Company that:

     (a)  INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. The Lender: (i) will acquire the Note, the
Bridge Loan Warrant and shares underlying the Bridge Loan Warrant for its own
account for investment and not with a view to any resale or other distribution
(other than to Affiliates) of the Note in a transaction constituting a public
offering or otherwise requiring registration under the Securities Act, or in a
transaction that would result in noncompliance with applicable state securities
laws; (ii) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters
as to be capable of evaluating the merits and the risks of its acquisition of
the Note, the Bridge Loan Warrant (and shares underlying the Bridge Loan
Warrant) and credit extensions to the Company; (iii) is an accredited investor
as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the

                                       17
<PAGE>

Securities Act; and (iv) understands that the Note, the Bridge Loan Warrant and
the shares underlying the Bridge Loan Warrant have not been registered under the
Securities Act or any state securities laws.

     (b)  ORGANIZATION AND POWERS. The Lender is a limited liability company
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware, and has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver
and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

     (c)  AUTHORIZATION; BINDING OBLIGATION. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Lender of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all
necessary organizational action of the Lender. This Agreement constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Lender, enforceable against the
Lender in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general
application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (ii) as
limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive
relief or other equitable remedies.

     (d)  FINANCIAL CAPACITY. The Lender has access to adequate capital to
enable it to satisfy its obligations to make the Loan contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS

     SECTION 5.01   REPORTING COVENANTS. So long as any of the Obligations shall
remain unpaid or the Lender shall have any Commitment, the Company agrees that:

     (a)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS. The Company will furnish to
the Lender: (i) on Monday of each week, a statement of cash flow for the prior
week and projected cash flow for the following two (2) weeks; (ii) as soon as
available and in any event within ten (10) days after the end of a month,
monthly agings (aged from invoice date) of accounts receivable, payables
reports, and unaudited financial statements (including a balance sheet, income
statement and statement of cash flows) with respect to that month prepared on a
basis consistent with such statements prepared in prior months and otherwise in
accordance with GAAP and certified by a Responsible Officer as being prepared in
accordance with GAAP; and (iii) as soon as available and in any event within
forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, its quarterly
consolidated and, if requested by the Lender, consolidating financial statements
(including a balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows),
prepared in accordance with GAAP, together with a certificate of a Responsible
Officer of the Company stating that such financial statements fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition of the Company as at such date and
the results of operations of the Company for the period ended on such date and
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from
normal, year-end audit adjustments and except for the absence of notes.

     (b)  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. The Company will furnish to the Lender: (i)
promptly after the Company has knowledge or becomes aware thereof, notice of the

                                       18
<PAGE>

occurrence of any Default; (ii) prompt written notice of all actions, suits and
proceedings before any governmental agency or authority or arbitrator pending,
or to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the
Company; (iii) prompt written notice of any other condition or event which has
resulted, or that could reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse
Effect; (iv) promptly after the same are released, copies of all press releases;
(v) promptly after the giving, sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports
and financial information, if any, which the Company sends to the holders of its
capital stock or other securities, and the holders, if any, of any other
Indebtedness, and of all reports or filings, if any, by the Company with the SEC
or any national securities exchange; and (vi) such other information respecting
the operations, properties, business or condition (financial or otherwise) of
the Company (including with respect to the Collateral) as the Lender may from
time to time reasonably request. Each notice pursuant to clauses (i) through
(iii) of this subsection (b) shall be accompanied by a written statement by a
Responsible Officer of the Company setting forth details of the occurrence
referred to therein.

     (c)  CERTAIN CONTRACTS. Upon the Lender's reasonable request, and at least
twice monthly after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall provide
reports to the Lender concerning the status of all programs with major
customers, in such detail as Lender may reasonably request.

     SECTION 5.02   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. So long as any of the Obligations
shall remain unpaid or the Lender shall have any Commitment, the Company agrees
that:

     (a)  PRESERVATION OF EXISTENCE, ETC. The Company will maintain and preserve
its corporate existence, its rights to transact business and all other material
rights, franchises and privileges necessary or desirable in the normal course of
its business and operations and the ownership of its properties, except in
connection with any transactions expressly permitted by Section 5.03.

     (b)  PAYMENT OF TAXES, ETC. The Company will pay and discharge all taxes,
fees, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its
properties or assets prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, and
all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might
become a Lien upon any properties or assets of the Company prior to the date on
which penalties attach thereto except to the extent such taxes, fees,
assessments or governmental charges or levies, or such claims, are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and are adequately reserved
against in accordance with GAAP.

     (c)  MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. The Company will carry and maintain in full
force and effect, at its own expense and with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies, insurance in such amounts, with such deductibles and
covering such risks as is consistent with the Company's past practices.

     (d)  KEEPING OF RECORDS AND BOOKS OF ACCOUNT. The Company will keep
adequate records and books of account to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with GAAP.

                                       19
<PAGE>

     (e)  INSPECTION RIGHTS. The Company will at any reasonable time during
regular business hours and from time to time permit the Lender or any of its
agents or representatives to visit and inspect any of the properties of the
Company and to examine the records and books of account of the Company, and to
discuss the business affairs, finances and accounts of the Company with any of
the officers, employees or accountants of the Company, provided that the Company
may designate one or more individuals who will be present during such
discussions.

     (f)  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Company will comply in all material respects
with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of
any governmental agency or authority, including all Environmental Laws.

     (g)  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES, ETC. The Company will maintain and preserve
all of its material properties necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its
business in good working order and condition in accordance with the general
practice of other corporations of similar character and size, ordinary wear and
tear excepted.

     (h)  LICENSES. The Company will obtain and maintain all licenses,
authorizations, consents, filings, exemptions, registrations and other
governmental approvals of any governmental agency or authority necessary in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents,
the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated or the operation and
conduct of its business and ownership of its properties, except where the
failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (i)  USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company will use the proceeds of the Loan for its
general corporate purposes.

     (j)  FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL ACTS. The Company will execute,
acknowledge, deliver, file, notarize and register at its own expense all such
further agreements, instruments, certificates, documents and assurances and
perform such acts as the Lender shall deem necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the purposes of the Loan Documents, and promptly provide the Lender
with evidence of the foregoing satisfactory in form and substance to the Lender.

     SECTION 5.03   NEGATIVE COVENANTS. So long as any of the Obligations shall
remain unpaid or the Lender shall have any Commitment, the Company agrees that
without the consent of Lender, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld:

     (a)  LIENS; NEGATIVE PLEDGES. (i) The Company will not create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of its
properties, revenues or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other
than Permitted Liens. (ii) The Company will not enter into any agreement (other
than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) prohibiting the creation or
assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties, revenues or assets, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired.

     (b)  CHANGE IN NATURE OF BUSINESS. The Company will not engage in any
material line of business substantially different from those lines of business
carried on by it at the date hereof.

                                       20
<PAGE>

     (c)  RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES. The Company will not merge with
or consolidate into, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, any
Person, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one
transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its
assets.

     (d)  SALES OF ASSETS. The Company will not sell, lease, transfer, or
otherwise dispose of, or part with control of (whether in one transaction or a
series of transactions) any assets (including any shares of stock in any other
Person), except: (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, and the license,
sublicense and grant of distribution and similar rights, in the ordinary course
of business; (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course
of business which have become worn out or obsolete or which are promptly being
replaced; or (iii) sales or other dispositions of assets (other than accounts
receivable) outside the ordinary course of business not exceeding in the
aggregate Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in any fiscal year.

     (e)  DISTRIBUTIONS. The Company will not declare or pay any dividends in
respect of the Company's capital stock, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise
acquire for value any of its capital stock now or hereafter outstanding, return
any capital to its shareholders as such, except that the Company may: (A)
declare and deliver dividends and distributions payable only in common stock of
the Company; and (B) purchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire shares of
its capital stock with the proceeds received from a substantially concurrent
issue of new shares of its capital stock.

     (f)  LOANS AND INVESTMENTS. The Company will not purchase or otherwise
acquire the capital stock, assets (constituting a business unit), obligations or
other securities of or any interest in any Person, or otherwise extend any
credit to or make any additional investments in any Person, other than in
connection with: (i) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable
or notes receivable arising from the sales of goods or services in the ordinary
course of business; and (ii) short term, investment grade money market
instruments, in accordance with the Company's usual and customary treasury
management policies.

     (g)  TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES. The Company will not enter into any
transaction, including the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the
rendering of any services, with any Affiliate, any officer or director thereof
or any Person which beneficially owns or holds five percent (5%) or more of the
equity securities, or five percent (5%) or more of the equity interest, thereof
(a "Related Party"), or enter into, assume or suffer to exist, any employment or
consulting contract with any Related Party, except a transaction or contract
which is in the ordinary course of the Company's business and which is upon fair
and reasonable terms not less favorable to the Company than it would obtain in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not a Related Party.

     SECTION 5.04   CONFIDENTIALITY. The Lender will hold in confidence all, and
not disclose to others for any reason whatsoever any, material non-public
information received by it from the Company in connection with this Agreement,
except that the Lender may provide such confidential information in response to
legal process or applicable governmental regulations provided that the Lender
forthwith notifies the Company of its obligation to provide

                                       21
<PAGE>

such confidential information and fully cooperates (to the extent permitted by
law) with the Company to protect the confidentiality of such information.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     SECTION 6.01   EVENTS OF DEFAULT. Any of the following events which shall
occur shall constitute an "Event of Default":

     (a)  PAYMENTS. The Company shall fail to pay when due any amount of
principal of, or interest on, the Loan or the Note, or any fee or other amount
payable under any of the Loan Documents.

     (b)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Any representation or warranty by the
Company under or in connection with the Loan Documents shall prove to have been
incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made.

     (c)  FAILURE BY COMPANY TO PERFORM CERTAIN COVENANTS. The Company shall
fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section
5.03 or Subsections (a), (i) or (j) of Section 5.02.

     (d)  FAILURE BY COMPANY TO PERFORM OTHER COVENANTS. The Company shall fail
to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement, other than those
specified in Section 6.01(c), contained in any Loan Document on its part to be
performed or observed, and any such failure shall continue for a period of ten
(10) days from the occurrence thereof (unless the Lender determines that such
failure is not capable of remedy).

     (e)  INSOLVENCY. (i) The Company shall (A) make a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors or (B) be dissolved, liquidated, wound up or cease its
corporate existence; or (ii) the Company (A) shall file a voluntary petition in
bankruptcy or a petition or answer seeking reorganization, to effect a plan or
other arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform
Act of 1978 (the "Bankruptcy Code") or under any other state or federal law
relating to bankruptcy or reorganization granting relief to debtors, whether now
or hereafter in effect, or (B) shall file an answer admitting the jurisdiction
of the court and the material allegations of any involuntary petition filed
against the Company pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any such other state or
federal law; or (iii) the Company shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or shall make
an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall apply for or consent to the
appointment of any custodian, receiver or trustee for all or any substantial
part of the Company's property, or shall take any action to authorize any of the
actions or events set forth above in this subsection; or (iv) an involuntary
petition seeking any of the relief specified in this subsection shall be filed
against the Company and not dismissed within sixty (60) days; or (v) any order
for relief shall be entered against the Company, in any involuntary proceeding
under the Bankruptcy Code or any such other state or federal law referred to in
this subsection (e).

     (f)  DISSOLUTION, ETC. The Company shall (i) liquidate, wind up or dissolve
(or suffer any liquidation, wind-up or dissolution), (ii) discontinue its
operations, or (iii) take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions
or events set forth above in this subsection (f).

                                       22
<PAGE>

     (g)  JUDGMENTS. (i) A final judgment or order for the payment of money in
excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) (or its equivalent in another
currency) which is not fully covered by third-party insurance shall be rendered
against the Company (or its equivalent in another currency); or (ii) any non-
monetary judgment or order shall be rendered against the Company which has or
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and in each case
there shall be any period of fifteen (15) consecutive days during which such
judgment continues unsatisfied or during which a stay of enforcement of such
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in
effect.

     (h)  MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Any circumstance, condition, or event shall
have occurred which has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     (i)  COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS. Any "Event of Default" as defined in the
Collateral Documents shall have occurred; or any of the Collateral Documents
after delivery thereof shall for any reason be revoked or invalidated, or
otherwise cease to be in full force and effect, or the Company or any other
Person shall contest in any manner the validity or enforceability thereof, or
the Company or any other Person shall deny that it has any further liability or
obligation thereunder; or any of the Collateral Documents for any reason, except
to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, shall cease to create a valid and
perfected first priority Lien subject only to Permitted Liens in any of the
Collateral purported to be covered thereby.

     SECTION 6.02   EFFECT OF EVENT OF DEFAULT. If any Event of Default shall
occur, the Lender may, by notice to the Company, declare the Commitment to be
terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and cease to make the
Loan and all or any Loan Advances. If any Event of Default under Section 6.01(e)
shall occur, the Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal amount of the
Loan and the Note, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and all other
Obligations to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Loan and the Note,
all such accrued interest and all such other Obligations shall become and be
forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company. In
addition, if any Event of Default under Section 6.01(a) or Section 6.01(e) shall
occur, the Lender may exercise any or all of the Lender's rights and remedies
under the Collateral Documents and proceed to enforce all other rights and
remedies available to the Lender under the Loan Documents and applicable law.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 7.01   AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No amendment to any provision of the
Loan Documents shall be effective unless it is in writing and has been signed by
the Lender and the Company, and no waiver of any provision of any Loan Document,
or consent to any departure by the Company therefrom, shall be effective unless
it is in writing and has been signed by the Lender. Any such amendment, waiver
or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given.

     SECTION 7.02   NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall, unless otherwise stated
herein, be in

                                       23
<PAGE>

writing (including by facsimile transmission) and mailed, sent or delivered to
the respective parties hereto at or to their respective addresses or facsimile
numbers set forth below their names on the signature pages hereof, or at or to
such other address or facsimile number as shall be designated by any party in a
written notice to the other party hereto. All such notices and communications
shall be effective: (i) if delivered by hand, when delivered; (ii) if sent by
mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or five (5) Business Days after
deposit in the mail, first class, postage prepaid; or (iii) if sent by facsimile
transmission, when sent; provided, however, that notices and communications to
the Lender pursuant to Article II shall not be effective until received.

     SECTION 7.03   NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure on the part of
the Lender to exercise, no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with
respect to, any right, remedy, power or privilege under any Loan Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The
rights and remedies under the Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of
any rights, remedies, powers and privileges that may otherwise be available to
the Lender.

     SECTION 7.04   COSTS AND EXPENSES; INDEMNITY.

     (a)  COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay on demand: (i) the
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Lender and any of its
Affiliates, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Lender
and its Affiliates, in connection with the Loan, including the negotiation,
preparation, execution, delivery and administration of the Loan Documents and
any amendments, modifications or waivers of the terms thereof, and (ii) all
reasonable costs and expenses of the Lender and its Affiliates, and fees and
disbursements of counsel, in connection with (A) any Default, (B) the
enforcement or attempted enforcement of, and preservation of any rights or
interests under, the Loan Documents, (C) any out-of-court workout or other
refinancing or restructuring or any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding,
and (D) the preservation of and realization upon any of the Collateral. Without
limiting the foregoing, the costs and reasonable fees of counsel to the Lender
and its Affiliates incurred or reasonably expected to be incurred in connection
with the Loan will be automatically deducted from the disbursement of the Second
Loan Advance and, accordingly, the amount of the Second Loan Advance actually
disbursed to the Company will be less of such fees and costs.

     (b)  INDEMNIFICATION. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be consummated, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Lender, any
Affiliate thereof and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents,
counsel and other advisors (each an "Indemnified Person") against, and hold each
of them harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, claims,
damages, demands, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, including the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel to an Indemnified Person, which may be imposed on,
incurred by, or asserted against any Indemnified Person, (i) in any way relating
to or arising out of any of the Loan Documents, the use or intended use of the
proceeds of the Loan or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii)
with respect to any investigation, litigation or other proceeding relating to
any of the foregoing, irrespective of whether the Indemnified Person shall be
designated a party thereto, and/or (iii) in any way relating to or arising out
of the use,

                                       24
<PAGE>

generation, manufacture, installation, treatment, storage or presence, or the
spillage, leakage, leaching, migration, dumping, deposit, discharge, disposal or
release, at any time, of any Hazardous Substances on, under, at or from any
properties of the Company, including any personal injury or property damage
suffered by any Person, and any investigation, site assessment, environmental
audit, feasibility study, monitoring, clean-up, removal, containment,
restoration, remedial response or remedial work undertaken by or on behalf of
any Indemnified Person at any time, voluntarily or involuntarily, with respect
to the Premises (the "Indemnified Liabilities"); provided that the Company shall
not be liable to any Indemnified Person for any portion of such Indemnified
Liabilities to the extent they are found by a final decision of a court of
competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. If and to the extent that the foregoing
indemnification is for any reason held unenforceable, the Company agrees to make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the
Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.

     SECTION 7.05   SURVIVAL. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made in any Loan Document shall, except to the extent otherwise
provided therein, survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
making of the Loan, the making of all Loan Advances, and the execution and
delivery of the Note, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as the
Lender has any Commitment, the Loan remains outstanding or any other Obligations
remain unpaid or any obligation to perform any other act hereunder or under any
other Loan Document remains unsatisfied. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.04, and all similar
obligations under the other Loan Documents (including all obligations to pay
costs and expenses and all indemnity obligations), shall survive the repayment
of the Loans and the termination of the Commitment.

     SECTION 7.06   BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT. The Loan Documents are entered into
for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted
successors and permitted assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or
indirect beneficiary of, or shall have any direct or indirect cause of action or
claim in connection with, any Loan Document.

     SECTION 7.07   BINDING EFFECT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall become
effective when it shall have been executed by the Company and the Lender and
thereafter shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the Company, the Lender and their respective permitted successors and permitted
assigns. The Company shall not have the right to assign its rights or
Obligations or any interest herein or therein without the prior written consent
of the Lender. The Lender reserves the right freely to sell, assign, transfer or
grant participations in all or any portion of the Lender's rights and
obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (i) to one or more
Affiliates of the Lender and/or (ii) with the prior consent of the Company
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to any other Person. In the
event of any such assignment, the assignee shall be deemed a "Lender" for all
purposes of the Loan Documents with respect to the rights and obligations
assigned to it, and the obligations of the Lender so assigned shall thereupon
terminate. The Company shall, from time to time upon request of the Lender,
enter into such amendments to the Loan Documents and execute and deliver such
other documents as shall be necessary to effect any such grant or assignment.
The Company agrees that in connection with any such grant or assignment, the
Lender may deliver to the prospective participant or assignee financial
statements and other

                                       25
<PAGE>

relevant information relating to the Company (subject to such Person entering
into a confidentiality agreement with the Company on terms reasonably
satisfactory to the Company).

     SECTION 7.08   GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

     SECTION 7.09   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE COMPANY AND THE LENDER EACH WAIVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED
UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS,
OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST ANY OTHER
PARTY OR PARTIES, WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR
OTHERWISE. THE COMPANY AND THE LENDER EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE
FOREGOING, THE PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IS WAIVED BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR
OTHER PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR
ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION
HEREOF OR THEREOF. THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS.

     SECTION 7.10   ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The Loan Documents reflect the entire
agreement between the Company and the Lender with respect to the matters set
forth herein and therein and supersede any prior agreements, commitments,
drafts, communication, discussions and understandings, oral or written, with
respect thereto.

     SECTION 7.11   SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of the Loan
Documents shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
all applicable laws and regulations. If, however, any provision of any of the
Loan Documents shall be prohibited by or invalid under any such law or
regulation in any jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be deemed
modified to conform to the minimum requirements of such law or regulation, or,
if for any reason it is not deemed so modified, it shall be ineffective and
invalid only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without affecting
the remaining provisions of such Loan Document, or the validity or effectiveness
of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     SECTION 7.12   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

        [Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signatures follow]

                                       26
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Credit
Agreement, as of the date first above written.

                                        THE COMPANY:
                                        AMERIGON INCORPORATED, a California
                                        corporation

                                        By: /s/ Richard A. Weisbart
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Richard A. Weisbart,
                                            President & CEO


                                        Address:
                                        5462 Irwindale Avenue
                                        Irwindale, California  91706
                                        Attn:  Richard A. Weisbart
                                             --------------------------------
                                        Fax:   (626) 815-7441
                                             --------------------------------

                                        THE LENDER:
                                        BIG BEAVER INVESTMENTS LLC, a
                                        Delaware limited liability company

                                        By:   /s/ O. B. Marx, III
                                            ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  Oscar B. Marx, III
                                             --------------------------------
                                        Title: President
                                              -------------------------------

                                        Address:
                                        801 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 201
                                        Troy, Michigan 48084
                                        Attn: President
                                             --------------------------------
                                        Fax:  (248) 362-3033
                                             --------------------------------