-
Thai EV Adoption Pressures Production
Akihiro Komuro Ten Thai automotive and auto parts associations have warned that EV adoption is putting pressure on domestic production and that the country’s automotive industry could face a crisis. According to the industry groups, Thai manufacturers are struggling to compete with low-cost, zero-tariff EV imports from China, while local parts suppliers are seeing orders decline.
The associations, which represent more than 1,500 member companies, said in a letter to the government that the industry could face a major shock in 2027, when the current incentive scheme designed to support EV production is scheduled to end. They called on the government to review the EV policy before the incentives expire and to introduce urgent measures to support the industry.
-
Biofuels Lead Next Phase of India Auto Fuel Transition
Aditya Kondejkar India’s automotive industry is undergoing a significant fuel transition. While electric vehicles (EVs) remain a key pillar of decarbonization, biofuels—particularly ethanol and isobutanol—are emerging as critical tools for reducing oil imports, lowering emissions, and supporting domestic agriculture.
India has already achieved its E20 ethanol blending target ahead of schedule and is now preparing for higher blends such as E22, E25, E27, and E30. Recent policy measures, including the excise duty exemptions on higher ethanol blends and the expansion of ethanol retail infrastructure, indicate that the government intends to further increase ethanol consumption in the coming decade.
-
Toyota Pulls Plug on Important EV
Guy Youngs Toyota is scraping its plans to launch a next-generation luxury EV, the Lexus LF-ZC electric sedan, which was expected to enter production later this year with advanced new batteries that would delivery significant range improvements, and a dedicated platform.
The model was planned to use the gigacasting production technique that would split the vehicle body into three parts, front, center, and rear, to cut costs.
On paper, this car would have been brilliant, but like many Toyota promises…
-
Toyota–Maruti Realignment Reshapes Auto Future
Aditya Kondejkar The recent strategic announcements from Toyota and Maruti Suzuki mark the most significant supply-side shift in India’s auto sector in years. Both companies—already deeply linked through product sharing, technology exchange, and electrification strategies—are now doubling down on India as a long-term manufacturing hub.
Their parallel yet complementary decisions signal three major structural shifts: India’s rising importance in global automotive supply chains, the pivot toward future-ready platforms, and an attempt to stabilize costs amid global supply volatility.
Sources: Reuters Read The Article Read the Article
-
Ashok Leyland Takes Major Step Toward EV Leadership
Aditya Kondejkar Ashok Leyland’s move to develop and assemble its own battery packs marks one of its most strategically significant announcements in recent years. As India transitions toward a cleaner, multi-fuel commercial mobility ecosystem, this decision places the company at the center of the country’s electric commercial vehicle (ECV) transformation. The implications extend across technology, cost structure, competitive positioning, and long-term industry dominance.
At the core, battery packs account for 35–45% of an electric vehicle’s total cost, making them the single most influential factor in pricing and margins. By internalizing battery pack development, Ashok Leyland is aiming to break its dependence on third-party suppliers, reduce bill-of-materials cost, and secure tighter control over the EV value chain. This is crucial as global cell prices fluctuate and supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical shifts. In-house pack assembly gives the company cost stability, greater design flexibility, and freedom to optimize packs specifically for Indian duty cycles—ranging from stop-and-go urban e-buses to long-haul e-LCVs and future heavy-duty platforms.
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