Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs | Power Systems Research

2025-04-20

Three China-Owned Auto Companies Plan Merger

The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) officially announced that it would implement a strategic reorganization of the three state-owned automotive enterprises—FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, and Changan Automobile. The goal is to “build a world-class automotive group with global competitiveness, independent core technologies, and the ability to lead the transformation of intelligent and connected vehicles.”

The combined annual production capacity of the three central state-owned enterprises exceeds 8 million vehicles, yet the market share of their owned brands is less than 15%. The fragmented R&D investment has led to low efficiency in technological advances. After the reorganization, technological synergy will become a core focus. For example, a joint innovation consortium will be established in 28 “chokepoint” areas, such as automotive-grade chips and domain controllers, to concentrate resources on overcoming technological barriers.

Categories: Autonomous, Batteries, Greater China, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnerships, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: China Office

2025-03-24

US Losing Solid-State EV Battery Race

Guy Youngs

Trump gives other nations a real opportunity. Ilika is known for its micro-batteries, and the firm is now heading towards commercial production of its ”Goliath” solid-state EV battery with an assist from the UK government. In September, the company announced that a prototype version of its Goliath solid-state EV battery cell passed a critical safety test, and things have been moving along quickly since then. On Oct. 3, the company reported that the completion of additional safety tests for its D5 prototype solid-state EV battery

Today’s Li-ion EV batteries are designed with safety at the forefront. Though fires can occur, they are extremely rare, and they are proportionally rarer than fires involving internal combustion vehicles. So, if a solid-state EV battery can reduce if not eliminate the need for elaborate safety systems, the payout can be significant for automakers seeking a foothold in the affordable EV market of the future

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

Office: United States Offices

2025-03-23

Ford CEO Warns Tariffs Will Hurt US Auto Industry

Guy Youngs

As automakers brace for new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley is warning the extra costs would be “devastating.” Farley said the threats are already creating “chaos” and “a lot of costs” for the US auto industry.

So far, however, “what we’re seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos,” Farley added. Ford is looking for ways to build up inventory in the US to soften the blow of Trump’s tariffs.

Categories: Alternative Power, Commercial Vehicles, Financial, Legislation, North America, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

Office: United States Offices

2025-03-20

Kia To Offer Corporate Clients Custom EVs

Akihiro Komuro

Kia is launching a new range of EVs that can be easily modified to meet different interior and design needs and will begin selling a mid-size van in Korea in July. The company is currently in talks with about 100 companies in the transportation and logistics industry. Although global EV sales are currently sluggish, Kia hopes to develop a new revenue stream by promoting the fact that the specifications of these vehicles can be changed to suit the needs of different industries.

“We have opened up a new paradigm with our customized EVs.” The CEO spoke with great enthusiasm at Kia’s EV Day event in Spain. The company unveiled the first production model of the “PV5,” a mid-size van that is the first in a series of independently developed EVs called “Platform Beyond Vehicle” (PBV).

Categories: EV, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, South Korea

Office: Japan Office

Baidu, CATL Plan Ecosystem for Unmanned Driving

Jack Hao

Baidu and CATL say they will collaborate on unmanned driving and digital intelligence to promote unmanned driving services and industrial AI applications.

The cooperation is expected to leverage the advantages of both companies, including CATL’s battery, swapping, and skateboard chassis technologies for unmanned vehicle development, and to explore competitive products and business models to enhance mobility services.

Baidu will support CATL’s digitalization with its full-stack AI capabilities, spanning chips, platforms, and applications, injecting new energy into the green transition and jointly building a smart energy future.

Source: CATL Read The Article

Categories: Global, Greater China, Industrial, Partnerships, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: China Office

2025-03-18

US Tariffs Pressure India Automotive Sector

Aditya Kondejkar

The US administration has been pressuring India to reduce its import tariffs on cars, but India remains cautious about making drastic changes. While there is some openness to lowering tariffs on imported cars, a complete removal of these duties is unlikely in the near future. The ongoing discussions between the two countries may lead to some tariff adjustments, but India’s primary concern is protecting its local industries.

Source: https://news24online.com/ Read The Article

PSR Analysis. Even if India were to reduce tariffs to zero, the impact on the domestic automotive market would likely be minimal. The duty differences are relatively small, and the risk of imports flooding the market is low. India’s automotive component sector, especially in areas like EV differentials, bevel gears, and crankshafts, has been growing steadily. This sector benefits from India’s low labor costs, significantly lower than countries like Mexico and the US, giving it a competitive advantage in global supply chains.

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

Office: India Office

2025-03-13

Alternative Power Report, March 2025

Guy Youngs

Alternative Power Report – Mar 2025 Download

This month, Alternative Power Report Editor Guy Youngs brings readers up to date on Elon Musk and Tesla activities around the world. Sales are down, stock price is down, and consumer anger is up. Read about it in the March issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research. The March report also contains information on EV battery development and the tariff wars launched by U.S. President Donald Trump. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power Reports, Batteries, Economics, Electrification, Global, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

2025-02-24

Toyota Major Auto Funder of Climate Deniers?

Guy Youngs

Toyota has been revealed to be the largest auto industry funder of climate deniers in US Congress, according to a report released today by Public Citizen.

Toyota sells more gas-powered, polluting vehicles than any other company on Earth, and thus it has a vested interest in continuing to sell those polluting vehicles. But the problem is that gas-powered, polluting vehicles are not good for the health of humans or other living beings on this planet

Toyota has repeatedly ranked as one of the strongest funders of pro-pollution, anti-EV, and climate denying propaganda in the world

Source: Electrek: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Previously, the auto industry has taken advantage of changes in government, trying to get money-saving clean air rules torpedoed even after implementation, but not this time, except for Toyota. The big concern behind all of this is whether Toyota will begin to struggle like Nissan and other legacy carmakers (with the impact of the EV revolution). PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

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

Office: United States Offices

Tesla Sales Drop 60% in Germany

Guy Youngs

Tesla’s sales dropped nearly 60% in January in Germany compared to the same period last year, and the same thing is happening throughout Europe. The two main reasons are believed to be the introduction of the new Model Y and the disapproval of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his meddling in politics, which is especially not appreciated in Europe

Obviously, Tesla will use the Model Y transition as an excuse, and there’s some truth to it. However, Tesla was transitioning the Model 3 around the same time last year, which also negatively affected 2024 sales

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

Office: United States Offices

Nissan Ditches Honda, Eyes Foxconn Alliance

Guy Youngs

After unsuccessful negotiations with Honda, Nissan has ended discussions about a merger and is now searching for a new partner, reports “Nikkei.” Among the potential candidates is the Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn.

Nissan abandoned plans for a $60 billion merger with Honda, which could have made it the third-largest car manufacturer in the world. The primary issue reportedly was disagreements over the terms of the merger.

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

Office: United States Offices

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