Panasonic Delays EV Battery Production Again as Customer Order Stalls
Panasonic has postponed for a second time the start of next-generation EV battery production at its Kansas plant, citing weaker-than-expected order volumes from its anchor customer. The decision marks a fresh setback for the Japanese battery giant's western-hemisphere investment timeline.
According to Nikkei, Panasonic has pushed back the planned start of its Kansas gigafactory by several more quarters. Internal forecasts now suggest anchor-customer demand will stay subdued into next year, putting the launch more than a year behind plan.
The backdrop includes slowing US EV sales, demand shifting toward lower-margin segments and cost pressure from the Iran war. Panasonic shares in Tokyo came under pressure after the Nikkei report.
The company says its long-term capacity targets are unchanged and the Kansas plant will keep capturing US Inflation Reduction Act credits. Wall Street analysts are nonetheless trimming 2026-2027 estimates.
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