Panasonic Energy
Headquarters: Osaka, Japan · Propulsion BatteriesFit score 89/100
What they do
Panasonic Energy manufactures cylindrical lithium-ion batteries (2170 and 4680 formats) for automotive customers, supplying major North American EV makers.
Expansion / growth signal observed
Panasonic Energy began mass production at its De Soto, Kansas factory in July 2025 — its second North American automotive battery base after Nevada, targeting about 32 GWh of annual capacity and roughly 73 GWh combined US capacity at full ramp.
Signal type: Production start — second North American gigafactory · Signal date: 2025-07-14
Fit score — how 89/100 is built
Scoring rationale: Signal strength 24/25: mass production started, opening ceremony held July 14, 2025. North America 23/25: Kansas + Nevada production bases anchor a US supply chain still adding supplier and materials demand. Scale 24/25: ~32 GWh single-site target. Recency 18/25: July 2025 signal. A ramping gigafactory is a proven magnet for co-located suppliers — the exact audience for a Detroit Region pitch.
Scores are analyst-assigned from the cited source only, under the published model on the How It Works page. In the production system every score enters a human verification queue before it is used in outreach.