Industry News | Power Systems Research

2025-09-13

New GST Is Game Changer for Autos, Tractors

The September 2025 GST Council meeting introduced sweeping tax revisions that significantly lower GST rates across multiple vehicle and farm equipment categories. Tractors and their components now attract a 5% rate (from 12% for standard tractors, and from 18% for parts), while small cars, two-wheelers (up to 350cc), three-wheelers, buses, and certain commercial vehicles are enjoying reduced GST from 28% to 18%.

These changes are expected to improve affordability, stimulate demand (especially in rural and semi-urban areas), boost manufacturing and ancillary industries, and lead to job growth across the value chain.

Source: The Times of India. Read The Link

Categories: Agricultural, Indian Subcontinent, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, Sales

Office: India Office

2025-08-26

GST Reform Is Big Opportunity for OEMs

Aditya Kondejkar

India is preparing for one of its biggest tax reforms in recent years, targeting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure. If approved, the proposal will slash GST on small cars and two-wheelers from 28% to 18% and reduce GST on insurance premiums to between 5% and zero. The change, expected around Diwali, has the potential to reshape production planning and sales strategies for automobile manufacturers.

Source: Reuters. Read The Article

Impact on Small Cars and Two-Wheelers. Small cars and two-wheelers have traditionally been the backbone of India’s automobile industry, serving middle-class buyers who are highly price sensitive. However, in recent years, growth in these categories has slowed as buyers shifted toward SUVs, which now account for nearly half of passenger vehicle sales. By lowering taxes, the government aims to make small cars and two-wheelers more affordable, correcting the imbalance in demand and giving OEMs in these categories a much-needed boost.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Indian Subcontinent, Legislation, Motorcycles, Recreational Products, Sales

Office: India Office

2025-08-16

Vietnam Shifts To EV Motorcycles

Akihiro Komuro

Vietnam, a country known for its large number of motorcycles, is experiencing controversy over its electric vehicle policy. The policy bans gasoline-powered motorcycles in certain areas of Hanoi, the capital, and has caused a stir. Honda, which holds an 80% share of the local motorcycle market, must rethink its strategy because most of its models run on gasoline. This sudden policy change could also disrupt daily life for residents.

In July, the Vietnamese government outlined bold measures to regulate gasoline-powered motorcycles in “Prime Ministerial Directive No. 20.” Starting in July 2026, operating gasoline-powered motorcycles within the Inner Ring Road in Hanoi will be banned. The Inner Ring Road spans over seven kilometers and includes the city center, home to government offices, the Japanese embassy, and the historic Old Quarter, a popular tourist destination.

Categories: Alternative Power, Electrification, Emissions, Legislation, Motorcycles, Vietnam

Office: Japan Office

South Korea, US Agree on 15% Tariffs

Akihiro Komuro

The South Korean government has reached an agreement with the United States regarding tariff negotiations. Mutual and automobile tariffs will be reduced to 15%, which is the same rate as those of Japan and the European Union (EU).

According to the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), automobiles are South Korea’s leading export to the United States. Exports to the United States account for over 50% of South Korea’s total automobile exports. The South Korean government prioritized reducing automobile tariffs and engaged in negotiations with the United States.

Categories: Production, Sales, South Korea, Tariff

Office: Japan Office

EPA Plans To Drop Phase 3 Emission Regulations

Chris Fisher

In July, the Trump administration proposed a draft rule rolling back the Greenhouse Gas Phase 3 rule, among the last of – if not the biggest – looming Biden-era emissions regulations facing the trucking industry.

The proposal was announced jointly with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Lee Zeldin’s call to revoke the Endangerment Finding that has allowed presidential administrations to regulate greenhouse gases since 2009.

The repeal of greenhouse gas regulations is a long road that includes a lengthy rulemaking process and likely numerous legal challenges.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Emissions, Legislation, North America

Office: United States Offices

Tesla Sales in Europe Are in Free-fall

Guy Youngs

Tesla sales in Europe are continuing to decline rapidly, and it appears the pain is just beginning for the automaker. The numbers for July are coming in from Europe and Tesla registrations are down 41.6% despite EV sales surging across the continent.

The data shows that the free-fall decline in sales that we saw in the first half of 2025 is continuing into the second half, despite Tesla falsely claiming that the issue in the first quarter was the Model Y changeover limiting supply.

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Sales

Office: United States Offices

2025-07-28

US-EU Tariff Talks Reach Tentative Agreement

Emiliano Marzoli

The United States and the European Union have reached a tentative trade agreement to avert a full-blown trade war as an Aug. 1, 2025, deadline for new US tariffs approaches. US President Donald Trump has indicated a new baseline tariff rate of 15% for most countries, pushing for reciprocal agreements.

This follows a similar deal with Japan, which saw a reduction from a threatened 25% to 15%. While discussions with the EU are ongoing, with both sides expressing optimism for a negotiated outcome, the EU has approved a retaliatory tariff package of up to 30% on €93 billion worth of US goods, to be activated if no agreement is reached. EU countries overwhelmingly supported these countermeasures, which would impact a wide range of US products from soybeans to aircraft.

Categories: Economics, Europe, Financial, Tariff

Office: Europe Office

2025-07-27

Ethiopia Updates ICE Vehicle Import Ban

Guy Youngs

Over a year ago, Ethiopia became effectively the first country in the world to ban the import of internal combustion engine vehicles. This was an immediate ban on the import of all ICE cars. The motivation wasn’t environmental, but economic: A high fossil fuel import bill of over US$5 billion a year, was taking a huge chunk of the country’s scarce foreign currency resources. Energy security and self-sufficiency were other major drivers.

Ethiopia’s ban covered fully built units and left out semi-knocked down (SKD) and completely knocked down (CKD) ICE vehicle kits. That meant companies importing SKD and CKD kits for local assembly could still do so.

Categories: Alternative Power, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

Office: United States Offices

2025-07-26

Marine Exhibition 2025: Industry Collaboration and Innovation

Natasa Mulahalilovic

Read the complete Show Report here
The Electric & Hybrid Marine Exhibition 2025 held June 24 – 26, 2025 featured increased corporate collaboration and demonstrated a focus on sustainability, the adoption of immersive technologies, and enhanced connectivity.

These development trends were built on a collaborative approach to maritime electrification and decarbonization and reflect incremental improvements as well as a strategic shift toward smarter, greener, and more autonomous marine operations.

Representatives of Power Systems Research attended the show to collect data on new products and to talk with exhibitors and attendees about industry trends.

Categories: Industry News

India’s Used Car Market Shifts Toward Profitability

Aditya Kondejkar

India’s used car market has entered a high-growth phase, reflecting a clear structural shift in consumer demand. After years of sluggish expansion, the segment grew 8% in FY25, with FY26 growth expected to touch 10%.

Sales volumes are set to cross the 6-million-unit mark this fiscal. The used-to-new car sales ratio has reached 1.4x, a significant increase from less than 1.0 five years ago. This growth is being driven by a rising preference for value-for-money mobility solutions, especially in a post-pandemic landscape where cost sensitivity remains high.

The used car segment is also increasingly seen as a reliable, first-choice option for new-age consumers, thanks to greater digital access and easier financing. These dynamics indicate that used vehicles are no longer a fallback option, but a mainstream choice for a broad swath of buyers.

Categories: Indian Subcontinent, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Sales

Office: India Office

News: Industry News

US-EU Tariff Talks Reach Tentative Agreement

Marine Exhibition 2025: Industry Collaboration and Innovation

TPI

OE Link™ Offers
Global Coverage

Sign-up for PowerTalk

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*O

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research
(Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

Industries

Products

Solutions

Sign-up for PowerTalk

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*O

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power SystemsResearch India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

PSR Global Offices & Affiliate Locations*

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research, Inc.

Power Systems Research*

Power Systems Research SA

PSR Power SystemsResearch India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research SA*

Power Systems Research(Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Power Systems Research

Tohan Research, Inc.*

Industries

Products

Solutions

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

PSR Power Systems
Research India Pvt. Ltd.

Power Systems Research
(Beijing) Co., Ltd.