Panasonic to build EV batteries in China JV
Panasonic Corporation entered a joint-venture with Dalian Levear Electric Co to manufacture lithium ion batteries for electric vehicle batteries. The companies intend to begin production in 2017.
The 50-50 venture will have its headquarters in Dalian City, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China.
China, which boasts the world’s biggest quantity of car production and sales, faces increasing environmental issues as its economy grows, hence demand for eco-friendly vehicles is expected to increase. Against this background, the joint venture company will utilize Panasonic’s technology and knowhow for the production and quality control of automotive batteries to manufacture them for eco-friendly vehicles.
Panasonic is aiming at ¥2.1 trillion in sales for the automotive business overall, inclusive of infotainment systems and industrial devices in its 100th anniversary in 2019.