Bloomberg Talks Megan Myungwon Lee Talks Panasonic North America's New EV Battery Plant
Jul 14, 2025
Megan Myungwon Lee, CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America, shares insights on the groundbreaking EV battery plant in De Soto, Kansas. She reveals plans for full production, capable of supporting 500,000 vehicles annually. The conversation touches on strategic partnerships, notably with Tesla, and the creation of 4,000 direct jobs. Lee highlights the challenges of raw material sourcing and the push to establish a local supply chain while emphasizing the advantages of domestic manufacturing for the booming electric vehicle market.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Long-Term EV Expansion Vision
- Panasonic's new EV battery plant in Kansas is part of a 10-year vision to expand in the EV market.
- They aim for full production within the year, diversifying EV manufacturing beyond their Reno, Nevada plant.
Commitment Amid Demand Concerns
- Panasonic remains fully committed to ramping up EV battery production this year despite media reports of delays.
- They have not yet felt a demand slowdown and continue strong partnerships with clients.
Diversifying EV Customers
- Panasonic aims to diversify its customer base in the U.S. EV market beyond Tesla.
- The strategy includes partnerships with established OEMs and EV startups.