Panasonic Corporation , formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., is a Japanese multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan.   Panasonic has been one of the world's most prolific electronics manufacturers since 1919. It operates worldwide through about 600 companies under brands Panasonic, Quasar, Technics, and others. The company spans multiple fields: Its consumer business consists of AVC (audio, video, and communications) equipment, along with hardware and software for linking it together, and home appliances (washing machines, vacuum cleaners, personal grooming aids, and commercial HVAC). In the field of devices, Panasonic covers multimedia and eco-car equipment, industrial electronic components, and batteries. The company's solutions equipment targets environmentally conscience businesses, manufacturers, and health care firms.    