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Hitech Electric To Produce 100% EV LCVs
Hitech Electric to produce 100% electric LCVs by March, with sales plans of 1,000 vehicles per year. In partnership with Positivo Tecnologia, (and its corporate venture capital (CVC) program) the assembly line will start with 50 units per month and possibly expand to 100 in the short term. The plant will be located in Campo Largo, Parana.
The vehicles will have a powertrain and battery produced by WEG, the Brazilian Electric equipment manufacturer. The batteries will feature non-flammable lithium iron phosphate. Product lineup includes a last mile utility vehicle and a 1.2-ton light truck.
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January Brazil Truck Production Drops 72%

Fabio Ferraresi Truck production in Brazil in January was 4,049 units vs. 14,614 units in December per Anfavea (the association that represents the automakers installed in the Brazil) monthly
PSR Analysis: This decline was expected due to the introduction of PROCONVE P8, the regulation in line with Euro VI, that reduces the toxic gas emission limits and therefore increases the complexity and the price of new trucks.
Under that regulation, OEMs have the right to sell Trucks at PROCONVE…
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Deutz and Daimler Form Strategic Alliance
EUROPEAN REPORT

Emiliano Marzoli Daimler Truck and Deutz have entered a strategic partnership to manufacture engines. Under the plan, Daimler Truck acquires 4.19% of the shares in Deutz AG, in return for which Deutz pays for access to Daimler Truck internal combustion engines.
The move is a consequence of Daimler’s decision to stop investing in the development of their medium duty engines (MDEG Series) from 5.1 to 7.7 Litres. At the same time, Deutz will be able to access Daimler technology and further develop it for off-road applications, such as construction and agriculture machinery. The heavy-duty engines will continue to be manufactured by Daimler Truck at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Mannheim and be delivered to Deutz to complete the engine system. Production of the medium-duty engines is expected to take place at Deutz in 2028.
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China To Push Adoption of New Energy CVs
CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao Pilot cities must embrace EVs in official vehicles, public transport, taxis, sanitation, postal express, urban logistics, airport vehicles, aiming to achieve 80% NEV proportion by 2025. A balanced and efficient charging infrastructure must be established, with public charging piles proportional to NEV promotion, and 10% charging facilities in expressway service areas.
Innovation in tech, green energy supply, and new information/communication networks must be applied to efficiently integrate NEVs with power grids and other fields. Innovations such as intelligent charging, high-power charging, rapid power change have been expanded, and vehicle-network integration verified.
Source: The QQ Read The Article
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Union Budget 2023 Focuses on Capex
INDIA REPORT

Aditya Kondejkar As part of its 2023 Budget, the government has reiterated its focus on capital expenditures, the vehicle scrappage policy, and a reduction in customs duty for electric vehicle components that is designed to stimulate new vehicle sales. A reduction in customs duties and a plan to replace older, polluting vehicles will boost the adoption of green mobility.
“The increase in capex on infrastructure and the emphasis on green growth will help the mobility sector,” said Sudarshan Venu, MD, TVS Motor Company. “This budget gives something to everyone, from rural India and start-up India, to middle-class India and digital India. It is about inclusive growth and building on the recovery we are seeing after the pandemic. It strikes a fine balance between growth and fiscal prudence.”
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Brazil Moves Forward on Truck Fleet Renewal Program
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
In December 2022, the Brazilian Government published regulations for the Fleet Renewal Program authorized by the law that was published in H1 2022. Under this regulation, truck owners may receive the old truck market value from companies in the Oil and Gas exploration chain, provided that they prove the truck was taken out of circulation, disassembly and recycled. The program is voluntary, both for owners selling the old truck and for O&G companies designating…
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Electric Light-Duty Trucks Must Meet 5% METI Goal by FY2030
FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT

Akihiro Komuro The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) now requires shippers that transport a large volume of freight to set a target of using 5% electric light-duty trucks by FY2030, which includes EVs and fuel cell vehicles (CVs), but not hybrids.
They will also be required to submit periodic reports on their progress toward this target. If the efforts are significantly inadequate, the committee can make recommendations to shippers and publicly announce the names…
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CV Production Nears Pre-covid Levels
INDIA REPORT

Aditya Kondejkar A favorable mix of factors is propelling demand for commercial vehicles to their best-ever pre-covid-19 volumes in India. Even though the CV segment has not reached its 2018 peak, it is expected to grow by double digits in the current fiscal year.
This growth is based on healthy demand and a relatively low base last year. While the sales are in green for all the major OEMs, market leader Tata Motors has reported year-over-year drop of 3%.
Source: Auto News Read The Article
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Acquisitions in Light/Medium EV Segment
NORTH AMERICA REPORT

Chris Fisher 2022 has been an interesting year on many commercial vehicle fronts including the medium and light electric commercial truck and van segment. While large established OEMs such as Ford, who is expected to produce approximately 6,500 E-Transits at the Kansas City plant in 2022, there has been some shakeup within the electric commercial vehicle start-ups.
During the past six months, Mullen Automotive, based in Brea, CA, has acquired the assets of the now bankrupt Electric Last Mile (ELMS) company and has acquired 60% of Bollinger Motors, which has yet to start vehicle production.
In September 2022, Mullen Automotive invested $148 million into Bollinger Motors, giving Mullen a 60% share of the company. Bollinger plans on introducing their electric class 3 – 6 lineup of cargo vehicles starting in 2023 and it is likely that Bollinger will also manufacture the Mullen electric light commercial vans also starting production in 2023.
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Foton Aumark Shuts Down Operations in Brazil
Ten years after starting operations in Brazil with the import of Trucks and plans to have a local plant, Foton Aumark do Brasil (FAB) is preparing to go to court against the Chinese brand, claiming breach of contract. The company was created by economist Luiz Carlos Mendonça de Barros, former president of BNDES and former director of the Central Bank.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The volumes of Foton were always very small and the situation will…