German Chancellor Olaf Scholz symbolically plugs in a battery as Volkswagen began construction of its first factory to make batteries for its electric cars – Copyright AFP ISAAC LAWRENCE Sebastien ASH Volkswagen celebrated Thursday the beginning of work on its first in-house battery factory, as the German auto giant looks to head off competition from US and Chinese electric vehicle upstarts. The firm plans to “steer the worldwide battery offensive” from the new plant in Salzgitter in central Germany, CEO Herbert Diess told a ceremony attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Volkswagen has set itself the ambitious aim of becoming…