LG Energy pivots to energy storage as EV demand slumps
Honda JV shifts from EVs to data-center batteries Honda is converting its Ohio joint-venture plant with LG from EV batteries to energy storage for AI data centers, and will buy out LG's stake for $2.5 billion. This reduces LG's role in the facility and signals weaker EV demand, weighing on the stock.
This is a major strategic shift that reduces LG's exposure to the growing ESS market at this plant and reflects broader EV weakness.
Q2 operating profit plunges 77% on weak EV demand LG reported a 77% year-on-year drop in second-quarter operating profit to 113 billion won, missing forecasts. Excluding US tax credits, it posted an operating loss. Sluggish EV battery sales and North American ESS assembly bottlenecks hurt results.
This is the key financial result that directly shows the earnings pressure on the company.
Patent lawsuit against EVE Energy protects LG's technology LG filed a patent infringement lawsuit and a US ITC 337 investigation against EVE Energy. If successful, this could limit a competitor's access to the US market and defend LG's battery technology and pricing power.
This legal action could strengthen LG's competitive position and is a new regulatory development.
ESS shipments surge and GM plant restarts LG's energy storage cell shipments jumped 357% year-on-year in the first half, nearing the global top ten. Meanwhile, its Ohio joint-venture plant with GM will resume production after a seven-month shutdown, easing supply constraints.
These two positive operational updates show growing demand for LG's ESS products and a recovery in production capacity.