Panasonic Energy, a key supplier for Tesla Inc. TSLA, is aiming to cut its reliance on China for electric vehicle battery supplies in the U.S. Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy of North America, emphasized that this transition is the company’s “No.1 objective.”
What Happened: The strategic move comes in response to incoming President Donald Trump’s promise to increase tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting global companies to reevaluate their manufacturing strategies. Swan stated that the primary task is to avoid a supply chain heavily reliant on China, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Panasonic Energy, a division of the Japanese electronics conglomerate Panasonic Corp. PCRFF, supplies batteries not only to Tesla but also to other automakers. The company currently operates a battery plant in Nevada and has plans to inaugurate another U.S. facility in Kansas within the year. This initiative aligns with the broader industry trend of diversifying supply chains amid geopolitical tensions.
Why It Matters: The decision by Panasonic Energy to reduce its dependency on China for battery supplies is significant in the context of the ongoing EV price war and the competitive landscape in the electric vehicle market. Chinese automakers, including Nio Inc NIO and Li Auto Inc LI, have been extending financial incentives to attract buyers, intensifying competition. This move is part of a broader strategy by companies to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and trade policies.
Moreover, the shift comes at a time when BYD Co Ltd BYDDY has overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest battery electric vehicle seller in the fourth quarter of 2024. Despite this, Tesla continues to maintain its position as the top-selling pure EV brand for the year.
Additionally, Tesla has achieved record sales in China with approximately 83,000 units sold in December alone. This underscores the importance of the Chinese market for Tesla, even as Panasonic seeks to diversify its supply chain away from China.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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