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GM Opens Third Shift at Joinville Engine Production Plant
GM has added a third shift at its plant in Joinville, SC, Brazil, to increase production capacity and supply engines for the Montana, the new Light Pickup below the S10 size. The capacity production increase forecast is 30%.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The new GM Montana pickup is aimed to complete with the Fiat Toro and Fiat Strada, and grab market share from the leaders. GM also expects to export engines, if the shortage of semiconductors can…
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Marcopolo To Deliver 30 EV Buses in 2022

Fabio Ferraresi Formerly using chassis built by other companies, mainly BYD, Marcopolo has announced plans to build its own EV chassis. It plans to produce and offer a complete set of bus chassis and bus body. It plans to deliver of 30 units in different setups for Brazilian cities in 2023.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Marcopolo is betting that its own chassis is more competitive for the market from an engineering and product standpoint. While preparing…
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Mercedes To Deliver 1000 EV Bus by 2023 to São Paulo
During the Lat.Bus show in São Paulo, the Sales Director of Mercedes, Walter Barbosa, affirmed the demand of 500 EV Bus in 2022 and 500 in 2023, but he expect no deliveries in 2022 and all delivered in 2023.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Mercedes is running against the clock to win the business in São Paulo. Although it is preferred by the public transportation companies, BYD is ahead with product already developed. Marcopolo shows as a solution…
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Volvo EV Bus Planned for Brazil in 2023
Volvo’s EV bus is now in the homologation phase in Brazil. Initially it will be produced in Sweden, with plans to be produced in Brazil for the South America market. The Curitiba plant engineering has participated significantly in the Bus Development.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Volvo adapt its line-up to compete in the Brazil and South America market that will demand significant part of the volume for the EV models. It is slightly behind Mercedes…
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Brazil Highway Implement Registrations Continue High
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
July registrations of implements (trailer and over-chassis) reached 13,133 units, above the January to May average of 12,500 units. ANFIR (National Association of Road Implement Manufacturers) forecast is to reach 165,000 unit registrations, slightly above the 163,000 registered last year.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The trailers and over-chassis implement supply chain has fewer constraints than the Truck…
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Brazil Government Announces US$ 65 Billion Agriculture Funding Plan
The Brazil government announced June 29 the new Safra Plan for 2022/2023 with a total of R$ 340 Billion (US$ 65 Bi) to fund business related to Agriculture, including Agricultural Machines and Trucks for product transportation. The amount is 36% higher than the previous year plan.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: While the volume of funds is higher, the interest rates are also higher. In addition, the prices of agricultural supplies are higher…
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Mercedes Makes Fourth Production Shutdown in Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Despite high demand, Mercedes announced its fourth temporary production stop at the plant in São Bernardo do Campo-SP, from July 4-15. In the announcement, Mercedes mentions the shortage of components and its effort to work with the supply chain to meet commitments with customers.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis. The shortage of components, particularly semiconductors, is taking longer than expected and is affecting…
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Brazilian Marcopolo Launches H2 Bus in Australia

Fabio Ferraresi Brazilian-based Marcopolo has expanded its product line of renewable and zero-emission fuels. Volgren, a company owned by the Brazilian manufacturer, is Australia’s largest bus producer. It has signed an agreement with Wrightbus, an Irish bus manufacturer, and market leader with Hydrogen technology in Europe, to develop and launch hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses for the Australian market.
The first units of the Volgren-Wrightbus are expected by early 2023. The vehicles will be the…
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Trailers with Electric Drive Axle Authorized in Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Heavy vehicles using electric axle systems in the trailer now can be driven on Brazilian Roads, following approval by the National Traffic Council (Contran) at its meeting in May.
Suspensys, a Brazilian company part of Randon group launched the product at Fenatran of 2019, but only now has it been approved by traffic authorities.
Source: M&T Magazine Read The Article
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Komatsu Announces Expansion in Brazil
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

Fabio Ferraresi Komatsu announced planned investment of US$ 30 million (R$ 158 M) for a second cycle of production capacity expansion of its Suzano Plant in Brazil. According to Komatsu, production capacity will be increased 26%. Komatsu has invested US$ 20 million (R$ 100 M) during the last three years for 32% capacity expansion and improvements in safety and environmental impact.
Source: M&T Magazine Read The Article
PSR Analysis:…