Panasonic's Q4 2020 Report: Battery Business Continues To Be Profitable

Panasonic has shown a relatively positive financial report for the fourth quarter of 2020. The company increased profits, achieving similar sales as a year ago.

Let's take a quick look at the results, including the automotive and EV battery business.

Panasonic Q4 2020 results

General results first:

• Sales: 1,814 billion yen ($17.3 billion) - down 5% year-over-year
  
• Operating profit: 130.2 billion yen ($1.24 billion) - up 30% year-over-year
  
• Net profit: 81.2 billion yen ($773 million) - up 5% year-over-year

Automotive

Our focus is on the Automotive category, which includes lithium-ion batteries for xEVs. The overall sales increased by 7% year-over-year, but there are no or low profits.

"Sales in Automotive Solutions saw rebounded demand after reduced production of vehicles in 1Q, despite lower sales of automotive cylindrical batteries due to modifications on production lines.Profit increased overall."

"Profit increased largely in automotive cylindrical batteries through rationalization and other factors. However, profit decreased in Automotive Solutions due to recording of temporary expenses related to the issues of onboard charging systems, while there were increased sales and fixed-cost reduction effect."

• Sales: 391.1 billion yen ($3.72 billion) - up 7% year-over-year
• Operating profit: -3.0 billion yen (-$28.5 million)

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The Automotive Batteries subcategory shows decreased sales "due to temporary decrease of sales of cylindrical batteries resultin from modifications on production lines to introduce technology for higher battery capacity".

On the other hand, profits increased, thanks to the improved production process and higher capacity cells. The automotive cylindrical battery business continues to be profitable.

Panasonic supplies Tesla with:

• 21700 cylindrical cell type for the Model 3/Model Y (produced at the Gigafactory in Nevada)
• 18650 cylindrical cell type for the Model S/Model X (imported from Japan to the U.S.)

As always, there are no details about the xEV battery business unit. However, Panasonic lists several important topics:

• Increase of battery cell capacity (in September 2020) and installation of a new production line at Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada (toward 38-39 GWh)
• New technologies:
  • Tesla's 4860 cells - equipment installation for prototype production scheduled in the financial year beginning April 1 (rumored in December)
  • Cobalt-free batteries - aiming for commercialization in 2-3 years
• Possible battery cell factory in Europe, with Norwegian partner

It will be very interesting to see Panasonic's 4680 cells in Tesla vehicles

See also

LG Chem's LG Energy Solution Closes Year 2020 With Profits

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