Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Manufacturing/Plants, Japan, USA
Japanese companies to build batteries in America
Although Japanese battery makers currently have plans to greatly expand their production capacity at home, it seems this still isn't enough and America seems to be the destination of choice for some new manufacturing plants. One of the companies planning on creating some green-collar jobs in the U.S. is GS Yuasa Corp. Their president, Makoto Yoda said, "
Another company with American battery factory plans is Toyota. Having already announced plans to build Priuses in Mississippi in 2010, the world's biggest automaker believes manufacturing batteries here will help them achieve their cost reduction goals. Toyota has been able to reduce it's per vehicle cost by 50 percent since its first-gen Prius and hopes to halve those costs again in their next-gen. Of the decision company vice chairman Kazuo Okamoto said, "It is very difficult to make the main parts of batteries outside Japan, but we have to have battery production in North America," No time table for the plants were given but when they arrive we think they will help provide both employment and environmental wins for America.
[Source: Bloomberg / Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 1:43PM (9/07/2008)
why would japan want to build batteries in america with all the environmental regulations... china is the obvious choice to pollute the environment
Reply
Chris M 3:32PM (9/07/2008)
Environmental costs are not a problem for newer Lithium batteries, but shipping costs are. That's why they are putting factories closer to their markets.
Also, the US has more skilled labor, and due to the Bush recession, labor costs are down.
China, on the other hand, already has several local battery makers - and a severe quality control problem.
herb 2:49PM (9/07/2008)
hopefly there is no pollution involved
Reply
James 3:11PM (9/07/2008)
Because it is now cheaper to manufacter them here in America because of our week dollar.
Reply
Mike 10:06AM (9/08/2008)
"It is very difficult to make the main parts of batteries outside Japan..." I call BS. What is there in a battery that would be difficult to manufacture in the US? Or is it a matter of environmental regulations, as mentioned by a couple of others here?
Reply
Bill 2:14PM (9/08/2008)
The Yuasa brand is quite familiar to motorcyclists in the US. Yuasa has been the dominant brand in motorcycle batteries for ages.
Reply
1244c449 8:51PM (9/08/2008)
Because it now cheaper to manufacter their products here in America because of our week dollar.
Reply