Power Systems Research

2025-01-27

Toyota, Chinese Seek Thai Support for HVs, EVs

THAILAND REPORT

In Thailand, major Japanese and Chinese automakers are requesting government support for HVs and EVs. At a time when the growth of electric vehicles has slowed, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda visited Thailand and appealed to the prime minister for measures to promote hybrid vehicles. The Chinese are also demanding that the conditions for EV subsidies be relaxed, and they are lobbying hard for the largest automotive industry base in Southeast Asia.

According to a Thai government statement, Toyota’s chairman and the Thai prime minister discussed measures to promote Thailand’s automotive industry, including finished vehicles and parts suppliers. They discussed the promotion of hybrid vehicles, and the Prime Minister reportedly expressed a positive attitude toward government support.

Categories: Alternative Power, Hybrid, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Thailand

Office: Japan Office

Tadano Electrifies World’s Largest Cranes

Akihiro Komuro

JAPAN REPORT

Tadano, a major manufacturer of cranes, has converted one of its crawler cranes, which can lift up to 1600 tons, to electric power. By changing the power source from a diesel engine to an electric motor, the company has been able to maintain the performance of the existing product while reducing CO2 emissions to zero. The company converted its CC 88.1600-1 lattice boom crawler crane to electric power. This is a large crane equipped with crawlers instead of tires, and is used in plant and bridge construction, as well as wind power installation.

The electrified crane is connected by cable to the main unit and power supply equipment, and two 390-kilowatt electric motors drive the hydraulic pump. There are no CO2 emissions during operation. Compared to existing products powered by diesel engines, this crane will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 55 tons per year. The crane itself will be manufactured in Germany, while the electrification equipment will be produced in Japan. The crane is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2025 as part of the company’s EVOLT line of electrified products.

Categories: Construction, Electrification, Far East, Industrial, PowerTALK, Production

Office: Japan Office

BMW To Produce Six New Motorcycles in Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi

BMW Motorrad has unveiled plans for seven new motorcycle launches in 2025, including six models to be manufactured in Brazil. The R 1300 GS Adventure will lead these releases. Recently initiated at BMW’s Berlin plant, its production will begin at the Manaus (AM) facility in early 2025. The model features a new two-cylinder boxer engine delivering 145 hp at 7,750 rpm and 14 kgfm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Its market debut is scheduled for Q1 2025.

In addition to the R 1300 GS Adventure, BMW will produce six other new motorcycles in 2025 at the Manaus plant, bringing its Brazilian portfolio to 13 models. To support this expansion, the facility’s production capacity will increase by 10% in 2025. This follows a 2023 investment of US$ 10 million, which boosted assembly line capacity by 13%. The goal is to increase output by 33%, reaching 20,000 units / year.

Categories: Central/South America, Motorcycles, PowerTALK, Production

Office: Brazil Office

São Paulo Delays BUS Electrification Plan

Fabio Ferraresi

The São Paulo City Council has pushed back the deadline for CO2 reduction targets for the city’s bus fleet to 2054. This amendment allows operators to continue acquiring diesel-powered buses, contravening existing legislation. The bill now awaits the mayor’s decision for enactment or veto.

Categories: Alternative Power, Central/South America, Commercial Vehicles, Electrification, Legislation, PowerTALK

Office: Brazil Office

The Financial Challenges Facing KTM

Emiliano Marzoli

In late November 2024, KTM, one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, declared bankruptcy due to mounting debts totaling nearly US$3.09 billion (€3 billion). The company has since entered self-administration under Austria’s insolvency laws, granting it a 90-day protection period from creditors1. This move is part of a broader effort to restructure and stabilize the company’s finances.

The financial troubles have led to a temporary halt in production at KTM’s Mattighofen factory until the end of February 2025. This pause aims to clear the backlog of unsold bikes, with approximately 130,000 units in stock, many of which do not meet the new Euro 5+ emissions standards. The halt in production is a significant step as KTM works to manage its inventory and reduce costs.

Categories: Europe, Financial, Motorcycles, PowerTALK

Office: Europe Office

Honda, Nissan Near EV Merger

Guy Youngs

Japanese automakers are taking drastic measures to keep pace with Tesla and Chinese EV leaders like BYD. Honda and Nissan are now closing in on an EV merger to join resources and fend off the incoming competition. The merger is designed to help survive industry’s rapid shift to electric power. The tie-up could likely involve a third auto partner from Japan which reports suggest might be Mitsubishi

Honda and Nissan have been paving the way for an EV partnership for several months now. In March, the Japanese auto giants announced plans to co-develop new software and other EV tech.

Categories: Alternative Power, EV, Mergers & Acquisitions, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK

Office: United States Offices

BYD Controversy In Brazil — What Is Going On?

Guy Youngs

Reports came out in late December that workers building a BYD factory in Brazil were working in “slavery” conditions and were potentially victims of human trafficking. Without a doubt, something horrible was going on. How much BYD knew or didn’t know, we don’t know, but the company has now terminated its subcontractor, Jinjiang Construction Brazil.

“Brazilian authorities have halted the construction of a factory for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD, saying workers lived in conditions comparable to ‘slavery’,” BBC reported. “More than 160 workers have been rescued in Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, according to a statement from the Public Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT).

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Central/South America, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

Volkswagen May Not Close Factories in Germany

Guy Youngs

Volkswagen is considering keeping its German plants up and running while reinstating job security agreements until 2030, with the tradeoff being that workers would forgo bonus payments, according to an anonymous source.

Categories: AltPwr, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

2024-12-14

Chinese EVs Moving Ahead of US Producers

Guy Youngs

With the US history as automobile leaders of the 1900s, it is easy to assume the US will continue being the automotive leader globally and especially domestically. However, the US is rapidly being outmaneuvered, out-innovated, and left in the dust by its Chinese competitors – particularly in the field of EVs.

This article brings together several stories relating to the automotive market with particular emphasis on BYD.

Overall, Chinese electric cars are leading the US auto industry, and it’s hard to imagine that story won’t get even more imbalanced in the coming four years with President-elect Donald Trump slowing US progress on EVs.

Source: Clean Technica: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: In China, there seems to be a real appetite for innovation, change and growth which seems to be lacking in Europe and the US. Many western auto brands are overpricing their vehicles and cancelling the most affordable models. This short-term outlook may be the end of these brands, as they are struggling to be relevant in today’s market. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Electrification, Greater China, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

Mercedes’ Solar Paint Could Eliminate EV Charging

Guy Youngs

Mercedes-Benz says it’s developing a solar paint that would allow electric vehicle owners in places like Los Angeles to power their daily driving without ever plugging in.

The German automaker teased the idea recently during a future technology showcase at its R&D center in Sindelfingen, Germany. The photovoltaic material starts as a paste and is applied to body panels in a layer that’s just 5 micrometers thick—thinner than a human hair. Covering every body panel of a mid-size SUV with the material would create 118 square feet of sun-harnessing surface area, a more than three-fold increase compared to the 32 square feet available from a single flexible panel on the roof.

Mercedes claims such a vehicle could capture enough energy to drive about 12,500 miles a year in sun-soaked Los Angeles

Source: Motortrend: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This is an interesting twist on vehicles with solar panels (Aptera, Sono Motors, etc.) but most of these don’t generate enough energy so I would question the figure of 12,500 miles a year, but even if it’s a quarter of that, it’s still significant savings. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, EV Charger, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

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