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Electrify Where It Makes Sense
NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher Energy and the environment are the issues that will redefine the trucking industry over the next decade. That’s what Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, told a room full of industry experts in November at the annual Cummins-Meritor and Pressure Systems International fleet technology event held in San Antonio, Texas.
But he said the timeline the industry has placed on the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and to achieve zero emissions are “completely unachievable.”
“It takes time. We’re not going to get there starting in 2030. We’re not going to meet that by 2035. It ain’t gonna happen,” Spear said, “and when it fails, it’s not only going to be embarrassing, it’s going to cost a lot of people their jobs. To me, that’s just unacceptable.”
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VW Trucks and Bus To Restart Two Shifts in January
Fabio Ferraresi Volkswagen Trucks and Bus announced that it will return in January from collective vacations to resume production in two full shifts, marking a return to a pre-April status.
Since April, alternating worker groups have managed the production line and remote work, with workers undergoing training courses during off-duty periods. This measure was essential due to a 37.8% decline in truck production and a 35.2% decrease in bus chassis production from January to October.
From January onwards, production will resume at full capacity, assuming positive market expectations.
Source: AutoData Read The Article
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XCMG To Invest US$ 55 Million in Brazil Electric Truck Plant
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi XCMG has signed a letter of intent to invest in Pouso Alegre, in the south of the state. XCMG also plans to invest in the creation of a research and development center in the state.
Source: Brazil Mineral Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The letter of intent reaffirms the intention of XCMG to gain market share in Brazil, not only on the Off Highway Electric Truck segment, but also in Brazil’s On Highway Truck segment they entered…
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Vehicle Production in Brazil Stagnates
During the first 10 months of 2023, Brazilian On Highway Vehicle production faced challenges, with an increase in imports of approximately 58,000 units from January to October and a simultaneous drop in exports by more than 52,000 vehicles. The outcome was a stagnation in production, as only 1,950,000 passenger cars, Minivans and SUVs, light commercial vehicles, trucks, and bus chassis were produced. This marked a decrease of 0.6%, equivalent to almost 12,000 vehicles, compared to the same period in 2022, as reported by Anfavea on Nov. 8, 2023.
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Brazilian Marcopolo OKs Fuel Cell bus in Europe
With a capacity of 53 passengers, Marcopolo’s model, the Audace Fuel Cell, is a road unit. The version of the product made in China that has been exhibited and already approved for Europe, carries the cylinders in the luggage rack. Kent Phang, the Sales Director of Allenbus, partner of Marcopolo on the FC vehicle, says there is also an option to place the hydrogen cylinders over the body. With four cylinders, the vehicle exceeds 500 kilometers, according to the company. With six cylinders it is possible to reach 900 kilometers.
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VW Announces Pickup Truck To Fight with Fiat Toro
Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce a pickup truck at its São José dos Pinhais plant in Paraná, Brazil, currently dedicated to assembling the T-Cross SUV. This new model, referred to internally as Project Udara, is part of the automaker’s €1 billion investment cycle in the country extending until 2028.
In addition to the pickup, the investment includes the development of two flex-hybrid vehicles, a new SUV, and a new engine, slated for production at the Brazilian assembly lines in São Bernardo do Campo and São Carlos.
The forthcoming pickup, larger than the existing Saveiro model produced in São Bernardo do Campo, is expected to feature a flex-fuel engine, with potential hybrid variants. Project Udara is set to be constructed on the MQB platform, and its launch is expected in early 2026.
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Transitioning from ICE Buses to Zero-Emission Engines
NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher During the past few months, we have seen significant changes in the bus market in Europe and North America as operations convert from internal combustion engines to zero-emission buses.
In Europe, Scania and Volvo are moving from building complete buses to a chassis only build. The high cost of zero-emission buses and a competitive market are primary reasons for this. The expected growth of zero-emission buses is forcing the OEMs to better streamline operations, and we expect to see other large OEMs transition down this path.
Source: AMS
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FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture
CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao FAW Jiefang and CATL have set up a joint venture company, Jiefang (Jilin) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., to do business in the new energy segment. The company is wholly-owned by Jiefang shidai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., which is a joint venture between FAW and CATL with each party holding 50% of the JV’s shares.
The JV was established to sell new energy vehicles, batteries, battery parts, and electric vehicle charging equipment charging stations; Information system integration services; and Intelligent control system integration. It also will manufacture power transmission and distribution and control equipment.
In August 2022, CATL reached a strategic cooperation agreement with FAW Jiefang, proposing to invest 500 million yuan to establish a subsidiary for cooperation. CATL’s battery business mainly focuses on the passenger car market, and the cooperation between the two sides marks the beginning of CATL’s in-depth launch into the new energy commercial vehicle market.
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