Latest news with #AutomotiveDive
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Panasonic opens its lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Kansas
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Panasonic Energy Co. has officially opened its lithium-ion battery factory for electric vehicles in De Soto, Kansas, and has started mass production of 2170 cylindrical lithium-ion cells at the plant, the company announced in a July 14 press release. The company is targeting an annual production capacity of approximately 32 GWh in Kansas once the plant is fully operational. It will help Panasonic meet growing demand from its automotive customers in North America as they build more EVs. The plant is Panasonic's second U.S. battery manufacturing facility and the two plants boost the company's total EV battery U.S. production capacity to approximately 73 GWh a year. Panasonic's other battery factory in Sparks, Nevada, began operation in 2017 and currently supplies cylindrical cells to Tesla. Dive Insight: Panasonic's Kansas battery plant spans roughly 300 acres and is the size of more than 225 American football fields, according to the release. The $4 billion battery production facility is the largest economic development project in Kansas state history and is expected to create up to 4,000 direct jobs and approximately 8,000 jobs in total, including those in supplier and related industries. 'The opening of our Kansas Factory marks a major milestone in our journey to scale advanced battery production in the United States,' said Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy, in the release. 'This facility represents not only our commitment to the region but also a foundation for long-term collaboration and innovation in the U.S.' Unlike Panasonic's battery facility in Nevada that supplies cells exclusively to Tesla, the Kansas plant is 'independent and designed to serve multiple customers,' a Panasonic spokesperson said in an email to Automotive Dive. Panasonic says the project represents its long-term commitment of investing in and advancing the EV industry in North America. The company also plans to adopt a 'dual-region model,' supplying batteries to global automakers from factories in Japan and North America. The current generation of 2170 cylindrical cells Panasonic is manufacturing at its plant in Osaka, Japan, use advanced materials to improve battery performance by approximately 5%, according to the release. Panasonic plans to produce these same cells in Kansas. The company spokesperson said the 2170 cells manufactured in Kansas will be optimized to meet 'the range, capacity, and demand of North American OEMs.' Panasonic's battery plant in Nevada is one of the largest lithium-ion battery manufacturing sites in North America in terms of output, according to the company. The plant employs over 4,000 people and has supplied over 11 billion cylindrical cells to date. Using its learning from operating the Nevada facility, Panasonic aims to achieve stable mass production in Kansas at an early stage, the release states. Although some media outlets have reported this week that Panasonic is delaying battery production in Kansas due to falling EV demand, the company says it remains committed to the North American market and the future plans for the factory remain in place. A spokesperson said the company maintains 'strong partnerships with a diverse range of automotive OEMs.' 'We have seen 11% growth in US electric vehicle sales in Q1 this year compared with last year,' a Panasonic spokesperson said in an email. 'We're here for the long-term and are prepared to grow our production capacity in response to demand.' Outside of Tesla, Panasonic's battery customers include EV maker Lucid for the Air sedan and Gravity SUV models. The company is also collaborating with Subaru to supply batteries for its future EVs. As of March, Panasonic says its batteries have been used to power around 3.7 million vehicles and the company has supplied roughly 19 billion cells to EV manufacturers. Recommended Reading US electric vehicle sales are slowing amid policy shifts: BNEF Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM's Ultium Cells battery plant in Tennessee to add production of low-cost LFP cells
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Ultium Cells, the electric vehicle battery joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, is upgrading its battery cell manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, to add production of lower-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, the company announced in a July 14 press release. The plans are part of a $2.3 billion investment in the plant that was announced in 2021 to produce nickel cobalt manganese aluminum (NCMA) pouch cells and LFP cells at the same facility. The conversion of existing production lines will begin later this year, with commercial production of LFP cells expected to begin in late 2027. 'The upgrade reflects the continued strength of our partnership with General Motors and our shared commitment to advancing EV battery innovation,' said Wonjoon Suh, executive VP and head of the Advanced Automotive Battery division at LG Energy Solution, in the release. Dive Insight: Introducing low-cost LFP battery chemistry into its growing lineup can help GM improve margins on its EVs, as well as reduce their costs for buyers. The higher costs of EVs using existing battery chemistries may deter shoppers and impact adoption in the U.S. now that the Federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 is slated to end on Sept. 30. The elimination of the credit is included in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' which was signed into law on July 4. GM currently uses more expensive nickel manganese cobalt aluminum oxide (NMCA) batteries for its EVs. The cost-effectiveness of LFP batteries compared to NCMA or nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) types is due to the use of less expensive raw materials, including cobalt and nickel. Instead, LFP batteries use a higher amount of cheap and abundant iron and phosphate. LFP batteries contain virtually no cobalt and perform better than other cell chemistries in high temperatures, making them more resistant to cell degradation and fire for greater safety. 'At GM, we're innovating battery technology to deliver the best mix of range, performance, and affordability to our EV customers,' said Kurt Kelty, VP of batteries, propulsion, and sustainability at GM, in the release. 'This upgrade at Spring Hill will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LFP cell technologies in the U.S., complementing our high-nickel and future lithium manganese rich solutions and further diversifying our growing EV portfolio." LFP batteries also have a significantly longer cycle life and can endure more charge-discharge cycles before degrading, translating into a longer service life. In addition, LPF batteries can be fully charged to 100% without accelerating cell degradation compared to NMC batteries. This is among the reasons why many OEMs recommend charging EVs to just 80% to extend battery service life. However, the tradeoff is that drivers do not receive the vehicle's full EPA-estimated range. One of the drawbacks of LFP batteries however, is their lower energy density compared to NMC and NCA chemistries, according to Quantumscape. An automaker must use more LFP cells to achieve EV range targets that buyers now expect. Although the use of additional cells and a larger battery pack may improve range, it also increases vehicle weight and can potentially reduce an EVs interior space. In addition to Ultium Cells adding LFP cell production in Tennessee, GM and LG Energy announced in May the development of an improved lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cell design for the automaker's future electric vehicles. The LMR battery chemistry uses a higher percentage of lower-cost manganese to replace cobalt, while still delivering high energy density, according to GM. GM aims to be the first major automaker to use LMR batteries, and the Ultium Cells joint venture plans to start commercial production of the new cells by 2028 for GM's full-size electric trucks and SUVs. 'Our expertise in these three battery chemistries will enable us to scale production of lower-cost LMR and LFP cell technologies so we can produce both full-size electric pickups and affordable EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt,' said GM president Mark Reuss in a blog post. Ultium Cells broke ground on the Tennessee EV battery plant in 2021 and the first shipments of batteries to GM were in March 2024. Recommended Reading GM, LG Energy target commercializing manganese-rich batteries for EVs
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford recalls 200K vehicles for backup camera display fault
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Ford Motor Co. has recalled 200,000 vehicles for backup camera display issues, including a blank screen or image retention after shifting out of reverse, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled Ford models include the Transit Connect, F-150, Explorer, Bronco Sport, Maverick Ranger, Mustang, Expedition, EcoSport, Escape Fusion Edge, F-250 Super Duty and Corsair. Lincoln models include the Continental, Navigator, Nautilus and Aviator. The model year range of each vehicle varies, but all are between 2018 and 2024. Dealers will update the rearview camera software on the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed starting July 28. The backup camera fault can reduce the driver's view of their surroundings when backing up, increasing the risk of a crash. The report also cites the elevated safety risk due to driver distraction if the camera image remains frozen on the display after shifting out of reverse. According to the recall report, an error in the SYNC 3 software for the infotainment system can cause 'system instability concerns and/or a failure to preserve certain settings across ignition cycles,' which may cause the camera display issues. The fault may cause interference with the vehicles' software log file compression routines, which can use up all of the free memory space of the SYNC Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM), the report states. Once all of the module's memory is consumed, the system is no longer able to write new files to the APIM, leading to the camera display faults. Other non-safety related symptoms may also be noticed by customers, including incorrect language settings and/or potential inability to receive software updates. The NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigations notified Ford on Jan. 17 it had received several vehicle owner questionnaires alleging rear-view camera image display problems on 2021-2023 Bronco Sport models. On March 27, the issue was escalated to Ford's Critical Concern Review Group for further review. From April through May, Ford's CCRG reviewed warranty data for all rearview camera system components of the vehicles. The investigation identified an increase in rearview camera image complaints for vehicles produced from March 2023 through November 2023. These production dates coincided with the introduction of a specific SYNC 3 software release, according to the recall report. Ford also reviewed the vehicle owner questionnaires received by the NHTSA, as well as service records related to camera display issues. The investigation discovered that most of these vehicles were successfully repaired with a previous SYNC 3 software update, leading Ford's investigators to suspect that the prior software release was the root cause. A SYNC 3 software update was introduced into production in December 2023 and to the field in August 2024 as part of a customer satisfaction field service action issued on July 22, 2024, to update SYNC software in Ford vehicles. This update corrected the display issues in the vehicles that received it. Ford's In-Vehicle Infotainment team replicated the condition through its own tests, leading the automaker to approve the recall on June 20. The company estimates that almost all of the recalled vehicles have the faulty software. Ford is aware of 1,326 warranty claims potentially related to this condition received between June 2023 and May 2025, which also includes claims that were previously repaired under its customer satisfaction field service action launched in July 2024. Customers will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have a SYNC 3 software flash update performed. Ford has now issued 88 recalls since Jan. 1, extending to over 4.4 million vehicles, according to NHTSA data. It's the highest number of recalls of any automaker. In June alone, the automaker issued 20 separate recalls for over 868,000 vehicles. In May, Ford issued a recall for over 1 million vehicles for similar backup camera display issues, which was also related to APIM software. Among the recalled models were the 2021-2024 Bronco, Ranger and Expedition and F-Series pickups. A second recall was also issued in May for 160,000 Ford Super Duty pickups and SUVs, which was also for backup camera display faults due to faulty printed circuit board connectors. Recommended Reading Ford recalls over 300K Explorer, Aviator SUVs for binding second-row seat switches Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan delays EV production start at Mississippi plant
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Nissan Motor Co. is delaying the 2028 production launch of two electric SUV models at its Canton, Mississippi, plant, company spokesman Brian Brockman said in an email to Automotive Dive. While Brockman did not disclose an updated timeframe, Automotive News, citing a memo the automaker sent to suppliers, reported production would be delayed by 10 months. Brockman said the affected SUVs include one for Nissan and the other for its luxury Infiniti brand, but didn't offer specific models. 'As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering the right product at the right value for our customers, we've made the strategic decision to slightly adjust the production timeline for our EVs at the Canton plant,' the company said in an emailed statement. 'Our goal is to ensure that this facility continues to bring highly competitive vehicles to market that exceed customer expectations.' Brockman said the company's decision was an 'internally driven consideration, not a specific reaction to policy changes.' President Donald Trump last week signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which eliminates the EV tax credit of up to $7,500 on Sept 30. Delaying U.S. EV production is another setback for Nissan, which is coping with declining profits that led to the ousting of its CEO and a shake up of its corporate leadership in an effort to turn around the company. As part of its strategy to reduce costs, Nissan plans to consolidate its vehicle production plants from 17 to 10 by fiscal year 2027. The automaker had designated its Canton plant as its center for U.S. electric vehicle production. The Mississippi plant will continue manufacturing its Frontier pickup and Altima in the interim, Brockman said. Recommended Reading Nissan maneuvers to soften $3B hit from tariffs Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan recalls nearly 444K vehicles for engine failures
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. Nissan North America has recalled nearly 444,000 vehicles due to a manufacturing defect 'in specific engine bearings or supporting engine components' that could lead to damage and/or engine failures, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled vehicles are equipped with 1.5L 3-cylinder or 2.0L 4-cylinder engines that feature the automaker's variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) technology. The models include the 2021-2024 Rogue SUV; 2019-2020 Altima sedan; 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 crossover; and 2022 Infiniti QX55 crossover coupe. Dealers will inspect the engine oil pans of the vehicles for signs of metal debris, and repair or replace the engine as necessary if debris is present, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 25. According to the report, the engine bearing failures are not instantaneous and progress over time. Drivers of these vehicles would typically receive multiple forms of audible and visible advance warnings over time. Symptoms may also include abnormal noises from the engine compartment, rough running conditions, illumination of malfunction indicator lights or other warning messages in the instrument cluster. An estimated 1.2% of the recalled vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder engines are suspected of having the engine manufacturing defects, and a majority of these recalled vehicles (348,554) are 2021-2024 Nissan Rogue models. For models with 4-cylinder engines, around 0.08% are estimated to have the defect. The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened a preliminary investigation of engine failures involving Nissan Rogues equipped with 3-cylinder engines on Dec. 13, 2023. The probe was launched after the agency identified six vehicle owner questionnaires and multiple field reports alleging engine failures, loss of motive power, engine knocking noise and/or metal debris in the oil pan. Dealing with a major engine recall could be costly for Nissan, but the automaker aims to address some of the potential engine problems with a software update. Still, the remedy requires that hundreds of thousands of customers in the U.S. schedule a service appointment at a dealer for the initial inspection, the inconvenience of which could further impact Nissan's brand reputation. For customers with vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L VC-Turbo engines, if no debris is detected in the oil during the inspection, dealers will replace the oil pan gasket, engine oil, and reprogram the vehicle's engine control module. The repairs will be done at no cost and should take less than an hour to complete, according to the report. For customers with Nissan vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder VC-turbo engines, dealers will replace the engine oil if no metal debris is detected. However, if any of the recalled vehicles show signs of metal contamination in the oil, which will be confirmed by Nissan's Powertrain Call Center, dealers will be instructed to replace the engine assembly at no charge. Engine replacement may take up to fifteen hours to complete, according to the recall report. Nissan dealers will be notified about the recall on July 15. The recall is the second major powertrain recall in recent months by a major automaker, which collectively extend to over 1 million vehicles. In April, General Motors recalled over 595,000 SUVs and pickups equipped with 6.2L V8 engines due to a manufacturing defect involving the connecting rod and/or crankshaft that can lead to catastrophic engine failures in some cases. The recall also followed a NHTSA investigation after the agency received numerous owner questionnaires from GM customers alleging engine failures. The potentially costly recall comes as Nissan begins to execute its latest turnaround plan to return to profitability after a significant decline in sales in 2024, including a failed merger with Honda Motor Co. earlier this year. In November 2024, Nissan announced it was cutting 9,000 jobs after posting a 90% year over year drop in operating profit in the first half of fiscal year 2024. Earlier this year, Nissan's failed merger with Honda led to the ousting of several top executives and appointment of new leaders to guide the company's turnaround. In May, Nissan announced a major cost-savings initiative that called for seven plant closures and slashing of another 11,000 jobs in an effort to generate $3.4 billion in savings as it looks to regain its footing. Recommended Reading Nissan slashing 20K jobs by FY2027 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
