The faltering economy is taking another hit on the Panasonic operation in Peachtree City.

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America recently announced it would cut 200 positions in the United States as demand continues to weaken for its products due to the decline in the automobile industry, said company spokesman Jim Reilly.

A large percentage of those 200 job losses will be in Peachtree City because the local operation is the largest in the company, Reilly said. The company is not divulging exactly how many jobs in Peachtree City will be eliminated, Reilly said.

The company also is not releasing how many jobs were eliminated immediately, he added.
PASCA makes in-car entertainment systems, navigation systems and other electronics for use in automobiles.

Employees were told of the cuts last week, and some were immediately notified their positions were targeted for elimination, Reilly said. Other positions will be eliminated as the year progresses.

PASCA is working to make sure that the cuts don’t affect the company’s ability to respond once the economy bounces back, Reilly added.

In September the company announced it would shutter its manufacturing facility in Peachtree City and move its production capabilities to Reynoso, Mexico. That meant 500 jobs would be phased out over a 15-month period ending this year.

PASCA’s Peachtree City facility still handles sales, marketing, servicing, product design and engineering for the company. As such, it is the largest arm of the company, followed by a location in Southfield, Michigan and several other locations, Reilly said.

PASCA is a subsidiary of the global Panasonic corporation which sells a large variety of electronics but is perhaps best known for its plasma televisions.