Q2 2025 Quarterly Market Insights 1 - Flipbook - Page 6
Panasonic
• Panasonic Energy has launched mass production at its new Kansas lithium-ion battery factory - one of North
America’s largest EV battery plants - aiming for 32 GWh annual output to meet rising U.S. electric vehicle demand
and strengthen domestic supply chains.
• Panasonic’s planned ¥118.5 billion ($807 million) sale of its projector business to Orix has collapsed after both parties
failed to reach final agreement on terms.
• Panasonic has launched the Aquarea DHW Heat Pump, a propane-based system capable of heating water up to
65 °C using ambient air, offering high energy efficiency, multiple configurations, and compatibility with PV systems
and hybrid setups.
Rapidus
• Japan’s METI plans to invest ¥100 billion in Rapidus with a golden share condition to retain veto rights over key
decisions, reinforcing national control as the company targets 2nm chip mass production by 2027 with total funding
needs of ¥5 trillion.
• Honda is reportedly planning to invest in Rapidus to strengthen its domestic semiconductor supply chain for
automated driving systems, supporting the chipmaker’s goal of mass-producing 2nm chips by 2027 amid growing
public-private funding efforts.
Renesas
• Renesas’ RA2T1 microcontroller, powered by a 64MHz Arm® Cortex®-M23 core, is designed for low-end motor
control in compact devices like power tools and fans, offering advanced analog features, wide voltage support, and
scalable development tools for rapid prototyping and evaluation.
• Renesas has launched new 650V Gen IV Plus GaN FETs optimised for high-efficiency, high-density power conversion
in AI data centers, EV charging, and industrial systems, offering superior performance, compact packaging, and
seamless integration with standard silicon gate drivers.
• Mouser Electronics is now stocking Renesas’s ultra-compact DA14535 SmartBond TINY Bluetooth 5.3 SoC - based
on a Cortex-M0+ MCU with integrated 2.4 GHz radio in a 2.2 × 3 mm package - ideal for low-power IoT, medical
disposables, wearables, and sensor applications.
6
