Panasonic and Tesla have announced that mass production at the Gigafactory has begun, of their new 2170 high performance battery cell. In response, Samsung SDI scrambled to announce its own new 21 x 700 mm battery cell at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Details on the new Samsung battery cell were scant – not surprising considering production is set to begin in 2021. So while Samsung is distinctly late to the party, LG Chem has yet to announce a cylindrical battery cell for the auto industry – although its current generation of flat-pack automotive cells used in the Chevy Bolt are highly price competitive – according to GM, at around $145/kWh to manufacture. LG Chem currently also supplies…