New large-capacity battery being developed by Panasonic Energy
Panasonic Energy, a subsidiary of Panasonic Holdings (HD), announced on January 1 that it will increase the production capacity of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) three to four times in 2028 from the current 40 to 50 gigawatt hours. The company also announced that it will consider production in North America after assessing the profitability of the new large-capacity battery at its factory in Wakayama Prefecture. The company plans to raise its operating profit to 87 billion yen in FY2012, up 36% from FY2009.
At a business briefing for investors held on the 1st, President Issei Tadashi revealed.
He emphasized the need for a significant increase in production capacity in order to increase market share in major markets such as North America, where demand is expected to increase, mainly for Tesla in the United States.
The large-capacity new battery, which is expected to be installed in high-priced EVs, finished development of its prototype in May and started offering prototypes.
To expand the business, increase the number of employees of the company by 1000 by FY2012.
Panasonic Connect, which handles systems for companies under the umbrella of Panasonic HD, also held a briefing on the same day and announced that it would invest 100 billion yen over the next three years to strengthen its business to streamline the supply chain of client companies.
Yasuyuki Higuchi, President of Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd. (1st)
We will improve the quality of services by combining technologies such as sensors with software from Bruyonder, which became a wholly owned subsidiary in 2009.
Separately, it will invest 50 billion yen in three years for video systems for aircraft and large projectors for events. The company plans to increase overall sales to 1,170 billion yen in FY2012, a 27% increase from FY2009.
In April, Panasonic HD announced that it would invest a total of 400 billion yen over the next three years, positioning the three businesses of EV batteries, supply chain efficiency, and air conditioning as growth areas.
Other operating companies also held a briefing session on June 1.
Panasonic Automotive Systems, an automobile parts company, will focus on parts that combine meters and car navigation systems and high-voltage chargers for EVs. President Masataka Nagayasu expressed his recognition that "the interior space will be created instead of the vehicle body." It plans to turn the operating cash flow, which was in the red in FY2009, into a surplus of 200 billion yen in FY2010 and FY2012.
Panasonic Industry, an electronic component company, will concentrate on labor saving in factories and market development such as information and communication infrastructure. Specifically, we will strengthen products related to factory automation such as industrial motors, electronic materials, in-vehicle relays, and capacitors. With these businesses as the driving force, the total sales will be increased to 1.8 trillion yen by FY2018, 1.6 times that of FY2009.
