Focus

Panasonic to build $4 bil electric vehicle battery plant in US

14 Jul 2022 07:30pm
The factory will be Panasonic's second electric car battery operation in the United States, joining its facility in Nevada. Illustration photo: 123RF
The factory will be Panasonic's second electric car battery operation in the United States, joining its facility in Nevada. Illustration photo: 123RF

TOKYO - Japanese electronics giant Panasonic said Thursday it will spend $4 billion to build a new battery factory in the United States for electric vehicles.

The lithium-ion battery plant in Kansas could create up to 4,000 new jobs, Panasonic said, as the Tesla supplier drives to expand its presence.

"With the increased electrification of the automotive market, expanding battery production in the US is critical to help meet demand," Kazuo Tadanobu, president and CEO of Panasonic Energy, said in a statement.

The factory will be Panasonic's second electric car battery operation in the United States, joining its facility in Nevada.

The announcement comes with Tesla struggling to boost production, after unveiling two new factories in Germany and the US state of Texas earlier this year.

Panasonic's decision was welcomed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly as "transformative" for the local economy.

The new factory is expected to be located in De Soto, Kansas, though the move is subject to approval by Panasonic's board.

The decision was also welcomed by US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who said the decision to be "one of the largest battery production sites for the next generation of electric vehicles" in Kansas was "a vote of confidence" in the US economy and its workers. - AFP

Related Articles:

Panasonic
Electric vehicle
More Like This
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
World Trump says may keep TikTok around 'for a little while'
The nation's top court is set to hear arguments on Jan 10 regarding whether the law unconstitutionally limits freedom of speech, in breach of the First Amendment.
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
World Police analysing Yoon's phone records in martial law probe
Police are also working to obtain a secure phone used by Yoon and its records from the Presidential Security Service.
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
World Health warning issued over flesh-eating ulcer in Southeast Australian state
The Department of Health in Victoria on Friday said that cases of Buruli ulcer are spreading across the state, including in inner Melbourne.
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
World US withdrawal from WHO would be 'catastrophic' - Expert
Members of Trump's team told experts of their intention to announce withdrawal from the global health body on the president-elect's Jan 20 inauguration, noting that the departure would remove WHO's biggest source of funds, damaging its ability to respond to public health crises such...