Panasonic Delays Production of EV Batteries at New US Plant
According to sources, Panasonic Holdings Corporation has decided to delay the full-scale operation of its newly built US electric vehicle (EV) battery plant, as its major customer, Tesla, reported sluggish sales, prompting Panasonic to re-examine its production plans. The plant, located in Kansas, was originally scheduled to commence operations by the end of fiscal year 2026. The global EV market is experiencing a slowdown in growth, leading to widespread revisions in production and investment plans. The Kansas plant, with an investment of approximately $4 billion, commenced construction in the fall of 2022 and is Panasonic's second production site in the US after its Nevada plant.