-
Hyundai To Double Number of Hybrid Models
SOUTH KOREA REPORT
Hyundai Motor in August announced plans to expand its lineup of hybrid vehicles from seven to 14 models in response to slowing global demand for electric vehicles. The company will also use HVs for the first time in its Genesis luxury car brand. The company also announced plans to increase its annual global sales volume by 30% from 2023 to 5.55 million units by 2030, and to invest 120.5 trillion won (about 13 trillion yen) in R&D and capital investment over the 10 years out to 2033. The company will focus on advanced technologies such as next-generation HVs, in-vehicle batteries and automated driving technology.
-
Yuchai, Kim Long Motor Vietnam Sign Agreement
CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao Following the opening of Yuchai’s Thailand factory, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd. (Yuchai) and Kim Long Motor Hue Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s FUTA Group (Kim Long Motor), have signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement in Vietnam. The two parties have jointly initiated the construction of an engine factory with a total investment of $260 million.
The engine factory, a collaboration between Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd. and Kim Long Motor Hue, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s FUTA Group, will be invested in two phases, with the first phase expected to commence production in the second quarter of 2025. The factory will be equipped with a globally leading, highly automated engine assembly line, primarily producing Yuchai’s full range of diesel and natural gas engines for applications in commercial vehicles, engineering machinery, agricultural machinery, ships, power generation, and more, with an annual production capacity exceeding 12,000 units.
-
Rural Recovery Drives Surge in Auto Demand
INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar The upcoming festive season presents a promising outlook for India’s automobile sector, with expectations of significant growth, particularly in the two-wheeler (2W) segment. A projected increase of over 15% in the sector reflects heightened consumer interest, fueled largely by a recovering rural economy.
Rural areas, which contribute more than half of two-wheeler demand, are showing early signs of post-COVID recovery. The rise in customer inquiries, especially for mass-market brands like TVS Motors, Hero MotoCorp, and Bajaj Auto, suggests a favorable trend for the festive season.
The launch of new two-wheeler models, such as the TVS Jupiter and Hero Xtreme 125R, is likely to further drive sales. However, premium motorcycle manufacturers like Eicher Motors, producing Royal Enfield, may not experience the same robust demand due to a different target demographic, where rural recovery has less impact.
-
Thoughts About FCVs and Hydrogen Stations
Akihiro Komuro I traveled recently in the Toyosu area of Tokyo, an upscale residential area, and while there I stopped at a Hydrogen refueling station. While there, I spoke with one of the station’s staff, and I found his comments interesting.
He told me that the only FCVs on the market in Japan are the Toyota MIRAI sedan and Crown FCEV. Honda used to sell the Clarity FCV, but it has been discontinued and few are seen on the road. There are also no FCVs in trucks. There are about 80 hydrogen buses in Tokyo, but they don’t stop at this station because there is a hydrogen station is in the bus company’s office.
On weekends, maybe four or five cars come to the station each day, but on weekdays there are often days when not even one car comes. It’s very quiet. Filling up with hydrogen requires a person with a national qualification, so it’s not possible to operate it like a self-service gas station.
-
PowerTALK™, September 2024
Download PDFIn this month’s PowerTALK News, read about battery development, Volvo’s plans to launch hydrogen powered trucks, a report on global e-bike production, a forecast on 2024 Light Plant production, Yanmar’s acquisition of Claas India, a combine harvester, to expand its India market, and Malaysia’s expanding auto sales.
In This Issue
Alternative Power Report:
- Fast Charging Gets Faster in LFP Batteries
- Revolutionary Battery Made from Stone Could Transform Electric Cars
- Is New Silicon EV Battery From CalTech Spinoff The Best Thing Ever?
- China’s Restrictions on Antimony Could Force Shortfall
Global:
- Volvo To Launch Hydrogen Powered Trucks
- E-Bike Market Hits US$38.2 Billion
DataPoint: 2024 North America Light Plant Production
Europe: Electric Boats Popular at Cannes Yachting Festival
Brazil/South America:- Columbia Resumes Taxing Vehicles Imported from Brazil
- Tata Negotiates for Production Plant in Brazil
Japan: Yanmar Acquires CLASS india, a Combine Manufacturer
South Korea: Hyundai Motor To Double Number of Hybrid Models
Malaysia: Jan-Jun 2024 Car Sales Gain Ground
China: Yuchai, Kim Long Motor Vietnam Sign Agreement
India: Rural Recovery Drives Surge in Auto Demand -
Alternative Power Report, September 2024
Download PDFRead about Greely adding fast-charging batteries to its EV autos; Volvo backtracking on its EV pledge; Volkswagen considering factory shutdowns in Germany, and a new battery made from stone, all this and more in the September 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
-
2024 Light Plant Production
Download PDFA Light Plant, also known as a Light Tower, is a piece of mobile equipment which has one or more high-intensity lamps mounted on a mast. The mast is attached to a trailer, with a generator to power the lamps. The generator is powered by a diesel engine. Light plants mostly are used for construction and mining projects.
This product information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers. PSR
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research
-
Rising Inventory Levels Challenge Auto Dealers
INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar The Indian automotive market is grappling with a significant inventory challenge, with passenger vehicle stock levels reaching 55 to 60 days’ worth, equating to approximately 550,000 to 600,000 unsold vehicles as of May 2024. This rise in inventory has been a concern for auto dealers, who are already feeling the strain from prolonged high inventory levels. During the previous festive season, inventory levels surpassed 60 days, prompting the Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Associations (FADA) to request reductions in stock dispatches from OEMs and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
The increasing inventory is placing considerable financial pressure on dealerships. Longer inventory holding periods impact cash flow and increase interest costs, making it challenging for dealers to manage their finances effectively. In response to this growing issue, FADA plans to approach SIAM to advise its members on moderating stock inflow and addressing the inventory surplus.
-
2024 CARB ACT Impacts Truck Sales
NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher The article shown here is starting to give us some insight as to how the 2024 CARB ACT regulations are playing out in California and what the other states who plan to adopt these regulations can expect upon their implementation. It is a bit of a long read but very insightful of what the truck dealers are currently experiencing.
Information is beginning to trickle out about sales requirements for commercial truck dealers in California that will soon extend to other states committed to implementing the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and low-NOx Omnibus regulations.
-
BYD Plans Factory in Turkey To Produce 150,000 Vehicles
CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
BYD has signed an agreement with the Turkish government to invest USD 1 Billion to build a factory in Turkey. This is BYD’s second factory in Europe following one built in Hungary. Under the agreement, BYD will build a factory and research and development center with an annual production of 150,000 vehicles. The factory is planned to start production by the end of 2026 and will provide job opportunities for up to 5,000 workers. The factory is expected to improve BYD’s logistics efficiency.The Turkish government is welcoming the factory construction of Chinese automotive enterprises and is holding discussions regarding factory construction are taking place with SAIC and Great Wall, as well as BYD and Chery. Previously, Turkey announced the cancellation of a plan to impose an additional 40% tariff on all vehicles from China, which was announced a month earlier, to encourage Chinese automotive enterprises to invest in Turkey.
PowerTALK Reports
TPI
PSR Truck Production Index
Free quarterly global commercial vehicle production report.
Alternative Power Report
The latest EV and power source news including batteries and fuel cells with analysis by PSR experts.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research’s analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe View Archive
OE Link™ Offers
Global
Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Current Reports
Download complimentary reports that show the type of information available from Power Systems Research.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe