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Brazil Announces Incentives for MHV and LV

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  

The Brazilian Federal Government this month has announced a package of incentives for the automotive sector during a press conference held in Brasilia (DF). The program intends to bail out the country’s automakers at a time of weak demand for new vehicles.

The final text includes passenger cars, Minivans and SUVs, Trucks and Buses through discounts granted to the consumer, and not by tax reduction to automakers, as was expected.

Total spending of Federal Government is US$ 300 Million (R$ 1.5 Billion). Funds are expected to come from the return of taxes on diesel sales, which was planned to happen in January 2024, but it is anticipated to meet the program of the automotive sector.

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Show Report: Automec 2023

The Power Systems Research team in Brazil attended Automec 2023 this month, the show dedicated to the On Highway aftermarket. It’s the show that features main components manufacturers selling in Aftermarket.

This year’s edition took place April 25-29 at São Paulo Expo where more than 1500 brands were shown by 450 international exhibitors from 12 countries, in seven international pavilions.

More than 90,000 attendees visited the show(20% above last edition), with 30% of returning rate, coming from all regions of Brazil and 60 countries. The estimated volume of business is US$ 6 Billion (R$ 29,5 Billion).

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Show Report: Agrishow 2023

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Our Power Systems Research South America Team visited the Agrishow 2023, in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, visiting customers and checking the new launches and market expectations. It’s the world’s largest show on Agricultural Equipment       

The general expectations of exhibitors we talked with were not positive. Exhibitors carefully spoke about some factors influencing the market, such as lower commodities prices and the new government often speaking against Agribusiness that does not promote positive investment decisions.

On the other hand, the projections of business during the show surpass US$ 2,6 Billion (R$ 13,2 Billion), that is 18% nominal growth over 2022 business and actual growth of 9.5% discounting inflation. The expectation is for a recovery in commodities prices in 2H 2023. The government is also announcing more credit for this segment and OEMs are offering their own credit lines.

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Volvo Tests Renewable LNG Truck

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Volvo plans to test trucks fueled by vegetable origin LNG, gas in liquid form. According to the president of Volvo Trucks in Latin America, Wilson Lirmann, gas from renewable waste makes more sense in the transport operation because it contributes to nullifying the emission of CO2 in the fleet of commercial vehicles.

In this sense, the brand should soon bring LNG-powered trucks to the region. Brazil is a focus market, but possibly these trucks will debut in other South America countries. That’s because the infrastructure is still under development in Brazil. Although Lirmann does not say which countries in the region will receive the brand’s first gas trucks, it is known that Argentina and Chile already have more developed technology and infrastructure. 

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Vale Increases Use of BE Locomotives in Brazil

As part of the strategy of accelerating the use of technologies that use renewable sources, Vale received at the end of March its second 100% electric locomotive, powered by battery. Manufactured in China by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive (CRRC ZELC), the equipment will initially operate in the maneuvering yard of the Ponta da Madeira Terminal in São Luís (MA). Its batteries, made of lithium, have a storage capacity of 1000 kWh, with autonomy to operate up to 10 hours without stops for recharging.

CRRC’s locomotive is part of Vale’s strategy to electrify its mine and rail equipment. The two areas account for 25% of the company’s direct carbon emissions, the so-called scope 1. In 2019, Vale announced the goal of zeroing its net emissions of scopes 1 and 2 (relative to electricity consumption) by 2050. To this end, it is investing between US$ 4 billion and US$ 6 billion.

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Biodiesel Mix Increase Begins in Brazil

During its first meeting March 17, 2023, the new leadership of the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) approved an increase to 12% of the mandatory blend of biodiesel to diesel sold in Brazil, after April this year.

The proposal approved by the CNPE sets the addition of biodiesel in the composition of diesel to grow in April this year from the current level of 10% (B10 mixture) to 12% (B12 mixture). The content will be raised to 13% (B13 mixture) in April 2024, to 14% (B14 mixture) in April 2025 and to 15% (B15 mixture) in April 2026.

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Scania, Mercedes Reduce Production Shifts in Brazil

BRAZIL REPORT  

In line with ANFAVEA forecast of 20% reduction in production for 2023, Scania and Mercedes announced the reduction of one shift of production in MHV production lines. Scania reallocated 200 employees at the remaining shift and laid off part of its temporary workers in the workforce. Scania does not have a forecast to reopen the second shift.

At the same time, Mercedes announced three months forecast to reopen the shift. While Scania only mentioned market demand as a reason for its reduction, Mercedes mention Market, lack of components and the country’s interest rates.

Source: Valor Econômico    Read The Article

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Fras-le Acquires Juratek in UK

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Fras-le announced plans to acquire the operations of AML Juratek, the parent company of Juratek and BettaParts, which operate in the UK and European aftermarket, with lines of braking products such as discs, brake pads, calipers and actuators. Fras-le said it intends to invest about US$ 22 million (£ 18.2 million) in the acquisition.

Fras-le will continue to work in the European market with the Juratek and BettaParts brands and will receive the reinforcement of the other iconic brands of the company in the global market, such as Fras-le and Fremax, expanding business possibilities. In 2022, AML Juratek recorded revenues of approximately £25 million.

The acquisition is added to Fras-le’s global structure of operations, currently present with industrial units in Brazil, the United States, China, Argentina, Uruguay and India, as well as distribution, technology and development centers and commercial representations to serve customers in more than 120 countries on five continents.

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WEG Building Plant for EV Batteries in Brazil

Brazilian WEG has announced plans for a new 6,000 m2 plant in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, to produce battery packs for EVs. With the investment, the annual capacity will be 1 GWh in battery packs. WEG plans a highly automated plant, with 140 direct employees; WEG’s timeline calls for completion of the plant in 1H 2024.

Source: Automotive Business    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: WEG aims to supply EV production for OEMs located in Brazil. With strong background in drives and industrial electrical components, WEG could be a natural selection for many OEMs in Brazil.    PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director of Business Development-South America for Power Systems Research

Hyundai Keeps Gamma Engine in Units for Colombia

The new HB20 auto landed in Colombia with new body but is powered by an old engine. Hyundai Motor Brazil started exporting the new face lifted compact with an engine that the hatchback no longer fits versions running in Brazil.

The Colombian version is exported with the 1.6 16V aspirated Gamma engine.

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