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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.
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Alternative Power Report, August 2025
Download PDFIn the AUGUST 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research, you’ll find articles on cost-saving electric tractors, how Toyota, BMW, and Hyundai are moving against hydrogen power, a report on BP backing out of green hydrogen plan in Australia, a report on Tesla sales continuing to drop in Europe, and how Fortescue plans to cancel its flagship hydrogen projects. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
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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.
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Hitachi Construction Plans Regional HQ in Chile
Fabio Ferraresi Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. plans to establish a regional headquarters in Chile to oversee and expand its operations in Latin America. The move shifts the focus from solely selling new machinery to localizing parts supply and service support, enabling faster responses to dealers and customers.
Following the end of its joint venture with Deere & Company in 2022, the company has been independently growing in the Americas, initially prioritizing North America. The decision for a Chile-based HQ reflects cultural and operational differences from North America, as well as Chile’s importance in the mining dump truck market.
Source: Hitachi Press Release Read The Article
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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.
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BP Drops Hydrogen Plan in Australia
Guy Youngs BP first bought a 40.5% operating stake in the Australian Renewable Energy Hub project in 2022, and its share in the joint venture grew to 63.57% in recent years. The project would include the installation of up to 26 GW of solar and wind generation, much of which would have been used to produce green hydrogen and ammonia.
British energy major BP has informed its partners that it intends to exit the $55 billion (USD 36.14 billion) green energy hub planned for Western Australia’s Pilbara…
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