Panasonic Prepares Display Factory to Make EV Batteries
Panasonic Corp plans to equip an underutilized LCD panel factory in Himeji, Japan, to also make lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, according to The Nikkei.
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Panasonic Corp plans to equip an underutilized LCD panel factory in Himeji, Japan, to also make lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, according to The Nikkei.
The newspaper, which cites no sources, says Panasonic could begin production as early as 2019 after spending several tens of billions of yen (several hundred million dollars) to prepare the facility.
The Himeji plant freed up production capacity in 2010 when it stopped making liquid crystal display panels for TV sets. The factory has continued to make displays for automotive and medical applications.
Panasonic already builds EV batteries at five plants in Japan. The company also is a major partner in Tesla Inc.’s U.S. battery-making “megafactory” in Utah.
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