Panasonic Energy to invest $4 billion in US plant

Panasonic Energy's new battery factory in DeSoto, Kansas, has officially opened, its second production base after the Nevada factory. The factory will produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, with an estimated annual production capacity of 32 gigawatt hours. Despite the decline in electric vehicle sales and unfavorable US government policies, Panasonic still plans to create 4,000 jobs.