Panasonic is reportedly considering the sale of its automotive business unit – primarily consisting of infotainment systems – to Apollo Global Management by early next year as it seeks to invest further in battery production facilities. Panasonic’s automotive unit contributed 15% of the company’s total sales for this fiscal year, while its battery unit contributed 12% and is expected to increase more rapidly in part due to Western policy support and the rapid expansion of automotive battery demand. The plan to list its automotive unit has seen Panasonic shares rise 11% since the announcement, showing investors are broadly supportive of the plan to spin off the $11 billion unit. Incumbent battery manufacturers outside of China have struggled to maintain market…