(December 28, 2010) TOKYO — The surge in hybrid and electric car production has benefited at least one battery maker.
Sanyo Electric Co. plans to raise its annual output capacity for automotive lithium-ion batteries by 150 percent, by investing about about $180 million (15 billion yen) in a key plant, the Nikkei business newspaper reported last week.
Sanyo's production lines at the Kasai plant in Hyogyo Prefecture, which will double to four in 2011, will produce batteries for use in plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, the daily said.
The company produces lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles made by the Volkswagen.
By boosting capacity, Sanyo aims to use the plant — among the top in the world in production capacity for automotive lithium-ion batteries — as its main supply base for three automakers, Nikkei said.
Panasonic Corp., which will turn Sanyo into a wholly owned unit next spring, is positioning automotive lithium-ion batteries as a pillar of its group operations, the daily said.
By expanding operations, the team is looking to be the global leader in the field of automotive lithium-ion batteries.
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