Japanese battery tech giant Panasonic Energy and automaker Mazda recently announced a prospective “medium- to long-term partnership” for electric vehicle cylindrical li-ion batteries supply.
Notably, this partnership discussion signifies the intention of the two prominent companies to address the increasing market demand for EVs and automotive batteries.
Negotiations
According to the press release, Panasonic and Mazda will engage in discussions for a possible supply of automotive cylindrical li-ion batteries from the tech giant’s Japanese and North American plants.
In return, Mazda intends to incorporate these batteries into its forthcoming BEVs planned for launch in the “latter half of the 2020 decade.”
Panasonic Energy CEO expressed his delight with the possible strategic partnership with Mazda, saying that it will aid them in reaching its sustainability goals.
“As the automotive industry rapidly advances electrification and is leading in this technology, collaboration with Mazda will be a major step toward the achievement of our mission of realizing a society in which the pursuit of happiness and a sustainable environment are harmonized.
With our superior technology and extensive experience, we will drive the growth of the lithium-ion battery industry and further accelerate our efforts to achieve zero emissions.”
Panasonic Energy CEO Kazuo Tadanobu
Mazda’s Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer also commented on the current negotiations, emphasizing the company’s electrification efforts.
“As part of our electrification initiatives, Mazda is working with its partners in three phases to flexibly respond to changes in regulatory trends, consumer needs, and other areas. We are delighted to collaborate with Panasonic Energy, which has been a pioneer in automotive lithium-ion batteries, developing high-quality products. We will keep contributing to curbing global warming through various initiatives including our electrification strategy.”
Masahiro Moro, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Mazda
Benefits
A potential partnership between Panasonic and Mazda holds several benefits, including an improved battery supply. Panasonic, renowned for its battery tech expertise, can offer Mazda a dependable and efficient source of automotive cylindrical li-ion batteries.
This arrangement ensures that Mazda can access high-quality batteries, effectively meeting the rising demand for EVs.
Furthermore, the partnership can assist Mazda in streamlining its battery procurement and production processes, resulting in potential cost savings. These efficiencies can be passed on to customers, making Mazda’s electric vehicles more competitive in the market.
Additionally, a partnership allows for the exchange of knowledge between the two companies. Mazda can benefit from Panasonic’s extensive research and development capabilities in battery tech, while Panasonic can gain insights from Mazda’s automotive expertise. This mutual sharing of knowledge has the potential to drive further innovation and advancements in EV technology.
See Also:
- Japanese tech giant Panasonic cuts FY outlook, to focus on 2170 and 4680 batteries for profitability
- Panasonic to expand battery output at Tesla’s Gigafactory Nevada
- Tesla-Panasonic tandem secures around $1.8B in US tax credits in 2023
- Panasonic Energy to supply li-ion batteries for Lucid Air and Gravity SUV
- Tesla Megapacks aid Panasonic’s project to generate renewable energy production
All that said, a strategic partnership between Panasonic and Mazda has the potential to leverage their respective strengths, resulting in technological advancements, cost efficiencies, and the delivery of sustainable and competitive EVs to the market.
It is expected that the two companies will eventually come to an agreement following their discussions.
