Industry Segments | Power Systems Research

2025-01-27

FAW Jiefang, CATL Plan CV Electrification Effort

FAW Jiefang and CATL have signed a strategic cooperation agreement under which they agreed to work together to develop new energy commercial vehicles.

According to the agreement, the two parties plan to integrate selected resources in the field of new energy commercial vehicles. They will collaborate in product matching, product development, science and technology project applications, industrial ecosystem construction, and business model innovation.

The joint venture between FAW Jiefang and CATL—FAW Jiefang Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.—will work to leapfrog growth in the sales of new energy commercial vehicles. Currently, driven by the government’s “dual carbon” strategic goals, the green transformation of the commercial vehicle transportation industry, is imminent and holds significant market potential. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that from January to November 2024, the sales volume of new energy commercial vehicles in China reached 462,000 units, with a year-on-year increase of as high as 31.1%.

Categories: Alternative Power, Commercial Vehicles, Electrification, Greater China, Partnerships, PowerTALK, Production

Office: China Office

Toyota, Chinese Seek Thai Support for HVs, EVs

Akihiro Komuro

THAILAND REPORT

In Thailand, major Japanese and Chinese automakers are requesting government support for HVs and EVs. At a time when the growth of electric vehicles has slowed, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda visited Thailand and appealed to the prime minister for measures to promote hybrid vehicles. The Chinese are also demanding that the conditions for EV subsidies be relaxed, and they are lobbying hard for the largest automotive industry base in Southeast Asia.

According to a Thai government statement, Toyota’s chairman and the Thai prime minister discussed measures to promote Thailand’s automotive industry, including finished vehicles and parts suppliers. They discussed the promotion of hybrid vehicles, and the Prime Minister reportedly expressed a positive attitude toward government support.

Categories: Alternative Power, Hybrid, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Thailand

Office: Japan Office

Tadano Electrifies World’s Largest Cranes

Akihiro Komuro

JAPAN REPORT

Tadano, a major manufacturer of cranes, has converted one of its crawler cranes, which can lift up to 1600 tons, to electric power. By changing the power source from a diesel engine to an electric motor, the company has been able to maintain the performance of the existing product while reducing CO2 emissions to zero. The company converted its CC 88.1600-1 lattice boom crawler crane to electric power. This is a large crane equipped with crawlers instead of tires, and is used in plant and bridge construction, as well as wind power installation.

The electrified crane is connected by cable to the main unit and power supply equipment, and two 390-kilowatt electric motors drive the hydraulic pump. There are no CO2 emissions during operation. Compared to existing products powered by diesel engines, this crane will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 55 tons per year. The crane itself will be manufactured in Germany, while the electrification equipment will be produced in Japan. The crane is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2025 as part of the company’s EVOLT line of electrified products.

Categories: Construction, Electrification, Far East, Industrial, PowerTALK, Production

Office: Japan Office

BMW To Produce Six New Motorcycles in Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi

BMW Motorrad has unveiled plans for seven new motorcycle launches in 2025, including six models to be manufactured in Brazil. The R 1300 GS Adventure will lead these releases. Recently initiated at BMW’s Berlin plant, its production will begin at the Manaus (AM) facility in early 2025. The model features a new two-cylinder boxer engine delivering 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and 14 kgfm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Its market debut is scheduled for Q1 2025.

In addition to the R 1300 GS Adventure, BMW will produce six other new motorcycles in 2025 at the Manaus plant, bringing its Brazilian portfolio to 13 models. To support this expansion, the facility’s production capacity will increase by 10% in 2025. This follows a 2023 investment of US$ 10 million, which boosted assembly line capacity by 13%. The goal is to increase output by 33%, reaching 20,000 units / year.

Categories: Central/South America, Motorcycles, PowerTALK, Production

Office: Brazil Office

São Paulo Delays BUS Electrification Plan

Fabio Ferraresi

The São Paulo City Council has pushed back the deadline for CO2 reduction targets for the city’s bus fleet to 2054. This amendment allows operators to continue acquiring diesel-powered buses, contravening existing legislation. The bill now awaits the mayor’s decision for enactment or veto.

Categories: Alternative Power, Central/South America, Commercial Vehicles, Electrification, Legislation, PowerTALK

Office: Brazil Office

The Financial Challenges Facing KTM

Emiliano Marzoli

In late November 2024, KTM, one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, declared bankruptcy due to mounting debts totaling nearly US$3.09 billion (€3 billion). The company has since entered self-administration under Austria’s insolvency laws, granting it a 90-day protection period from creditors1. This move is part of a broader effort to restructure and stabilize the company’s finances.

The financial troubles have led to a temporary halt in production at KTM’s Mattighofen factory until the end of February 2025. This pause aims to clear the backlog of unsold bikes, with approximately 130,000 units in stock, many of which do not meet the new Euro 5+ emissions standards. The halt in production is a significant step as KTM works to manage its inventory and reduce costs.

Categories: Europe, Financial, Motorcycles, PowerTALK

Office: Europe Office

Honda, Nissan Near EV Merger

Guy Youngs

Japanese automakers are taking drastic measures to keep pace with Tesla and Chinese EV leaders like BYD. Honda and Nissan are now closing in on an EV merger to join resources and fend off the incoming competition. The merger is designed to help survive industry’s rapid shift to electric power. The tie-up could likely involve a third auto partner from Japan which reports suggest might be Mitsubishi

Honda and Nissan have been paving the way for an EV partnership for several months now. In March, the Japanese auto giants announced plans to co-develop new software and other EV tech.

Categories: Alternative Power, EV, Mergers & Acquisitions, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK

Office: United States Offices

BYD Controversy In Brazil — What Is Going On?

Guy Youngs

Reports came out in late December that workers building a BYD factory in Brazil were working in “slavery” conditions and were potentially victims of human trafficking. Without a doubt, something horrible was going on. How much BYD knew or didn’t know, we don’t know, but the company has now terminated its subcontractor, Jinjiang Construction Brazil.

“Brazilian authorities have halted the construction of a factory for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD, saying workers lived in conditions comparable to ‘slavery’,” BBC reported. “More than 160 workers have been rescued in Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, according to a statement from the Public Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT).

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Central/South America, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

European EV Car Market Declines

Guy Youngs

The number of EVs sold across Europe fell by 3% to 3m during 2024, according to the latest data. This has come after the withdrawal of government tax breaks triggered a collapse in sales across Germany. The drop in Europe compared to a 40% surge in China, where 11m EVs were purchased. Sales across North America also rose 9% to 1.8m.

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

Office: United States Offices

Volkswagen May Not Close Factories in Germany

Guy Youngs

Volkswagen is considering keeping its German plants up and running while reinstating job security agreements until 2030, with the tradeoff being that workers would forgo bonus payments, according to an anonymous source.

Categories: AltPwr, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

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