Tesla Pushes Japanese Suppliers as It Seeks Battery Partners
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A Tesla Motors Inc. battery executive courted partners in Japan for its so-called gigafactory, praising local companies for top-notch quality and technology while cautioning against slow decision-making and risk aversion.
Japan ranks behind only North America as a source of parts for the maker of the Model S electric sedan, Kurt Kelty, Tesla’s director of battery technology, said Friday in Osaka. While he said that Tesla looks to Japan for the world’s most advanced technology, including electric components and displays, he also alluded to weaknesses, without naming specific companies.