EV battery maker Panasonic Energy has launched a new research and development facility in Osaka City. The firm will use the site to develop cutting-edge batteries that can be put into mass production.

President and CEO Tadanobu Kazuo said at a ceremony on Thursday: "We will strive to bring out new products as soon as we can by developing new materials and manufacturing methods. We'll make this site our strategic hub for increasing our competitive edge."

The facility will incorporate artificial intelligence in the research and development process.

The launch follows disappointing news from one of Panasonic Energy's most high-profile clients, Tesla. The US automaker says its global car sales in the three months to March declined year-on-year. It was Tesla's first quarterly sales dip in about four years.

Tadanobu said the slowdown in demand for EVs is temporary, and that he expects things to recover.