European EV Buses Under Pressure

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

After three years, Alstom is halting their EV bus production.  By the end of 2021, the production lines will be stopped, and unless a buyer will take over, most of the operations will be shut down.  Twenty employees will remain active to assure maintenance for the existing vehicles in operations with RATP. 

Just two years ago, Alstom was one of the winners of a contract to supply electric buses to the French operator.  However, this was not enough to maintain profitability.  

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PSR Analysis: We believe that electric buses have a great future, particularly in Europe.  According to our database CV Link™, alternative drive buses, including Hybrid, Fuel Cells and Battery Electric, will grow at a 22% CAGR between 2020 and 2030. 

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UAZ To Sell its Patriot SUV in USA Under the Brand Name “Bremach Taos”

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

UAZ plans to sell is Patriot SUV under the Bremach Taos brand in the US. It will be sold by a branch of Italian Company Bremach, which specializes in AWD special cars. Patriot is being upgraded to meet the standards required on US public roads.

Assembly is planned to be performed in California. The base cost of the SUV is expected to be about US$ 26,000. US modifications of the car will include an automatic transmission and 4-cylinder of 2.7 liter and 150hp. It will have 5-year general warranty and 10-year warranty on engine.

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Plant-Based Bio-fuel May Not Replace Fossil Fuels

EUROPE REPORT
Christopher Bamforth
Christopher Bamforth

Over the last decade we have worked to reduce fossil fuel consumption in Europe without cutting back the use of our cars, trucks, and motorbikes. It was thought that by mixing diesel and fuel with crop-based bio-fuel it would reduce fossil fuel usage.

However, over the last 30 years the emission of CO2 has increased, raising questions about the effectiveness of this measure. After extended analysis from the Environmental Action Germany (DUH), it has been concluded that this may not be a solution to the problem of reducing carbon emissions.

Consider that the production and consumption of immense areas of land across the globe dedicated to the cultivation of these fuels actually have a huge environmental cost. For example, to satisfy Germany’s appetite for these natural bio-fuels, 1.3 million hectares of land have been converted to its production. This equates to 9.2 million tons of CO2 saved each year. However, if we were to dedicate this land to natural restoration projects with a portion dedicated to solar energy production, we would be able to save 27.5 million tons of CO2 each year.

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Belaz Wins Tender To Sell 96 Mining Trucks To India

The world’s leading mining trucks OEM – Belaz – has won the opportunity to supply 96 mining trucks to India, taking the prize from US and Japanese manufacturers.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

They are heavy 220-ton mining trucks. The supply will take two years. Twelve trucks will be shipped to India this year, and the rest will be sent in 2021. The total contract value exceeds US$ 300 million. Belaz also is completing a previous large contract with India for 77 trucks.

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PSR Analysis: Historically, Belarussian Belaz has supplied most of its trucks to Russian mines. However, this year it has suffered a dramatic decrease in demand from Russia. So, the OEM has had to shift its focus to other markets. Its product range includes dump trucks from 30 to 450 ton capacity, wheel loaders and dozers. OEM uses YAMZ, Cummins, MTU, Scania and Liebherr engines for its machines.   PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant in Russia, for Power Systems Research

Rapid Economic Recovery Puts Pressure on Supply Chain

Christopher Bamforth
Christopher Bamforth

After continued positive market trends which started towards the end of 2020, as well as good progress in their initiatives for integration and sustainability, the Finnish quarrying and mining equipment group Metso Outote grew their order intake in the second quarter by 43%. Supported further by a robust recovery fuelled by infrastructure investments in Europe and the US, and the quarterly orders were higher than in the first quarter.

They believe that many of these new order intakes are a direct result from their “Positive planet portfolio”. This new initiative has been designed help customers improve the sustainability and productivity of their operations. This initiative performed even better than expected, they have already estimated a value of €105m end of June, out of the predicted €120m for 2021. This highlights the ecological trend that we are seeing across most industries.

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Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business.

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

The Sany Group has taken a major step in the electrification of the heavy truck market segment with the launch on Aug. 30, 2023, of Sany Magic Tower Energy Co., Ltd. The business plan includes battery sales, battery parts sales, new energy vehicle waste power battery recycling and cascade utilization, artificial intelligence basic software development, data processing and storage support services.

The blue ocean market of new energy heavy-duty trucks is about to experience explosive growth. “Blue ocean” refers to a business approach that focuses on creating a new, uncontested market space rather than competing in an existing market, which is often saturated and competitive. In a blue ocean, the competition is irrelevant because the brand or company is establishing a market where none existed before or is radically differentiating itself in an existing market.

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Russia: Assembly of Electric GAZelle LCVs Started in Germany

Sales of electric version of GAZelle Next LCV have begun in Germany. Stuttgart company EFA-S is modifying Russian vehicles. The assembly started this year.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The German company purchases LCVs in Russia without transmission, engine and fuel system. Then in Stuttgart they install an electric motor and battery.

Currently, four versions of the electric vehicle are available – a side truck, a wagon, a 2-cabin wagon and a mini-bus. All LCVs are powered by a 110 kWt electric motor and can reach a speed of 88 km/hour.   

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TSMC in Early Talks on Germany Plant

Erik Martin
Erik Martin

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) is in early talks with the German government about potentially establishing a plant in the country, according to a senior executive.

Various factors, including government subsidies, customer demand and the talent pool, would influence its final decision, TSMC senior vice president of Europe and Asia sales Lora Ho (何麗梅) told reporters on the sidelines of a technology forum in Taipei.

The discussions come as the EU and others seek to increase domestic chip production to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions.

The chipmaker has not discussed incentives with Berlin or decided on a location, Ho said.

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