News: PowerTALK

2021-12-19

TSMC in Early Talks on Germany Plant

Erik Martin
Erik Martin

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) is in early talks with the German government about potentially establishing a plant in the country, according to a senior executive.

Various factors, including government subsidies, customer demand and the talent pool, would influence its final decision, TSMC senior vice president of Europe and Asia sales Lora Ho (何麗梅) told reporters on the sidelines of a technology forum in Taipei.

The discussions come as the EU and others seek to increase domestic chip production to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions.

The chipmaker has not discussed incentives with Berlin or decided on a location, Ho said.

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Cummins Announces Hydrogen and Electrified Portfolio in Brazil

When completing 50 years in Brazil, Cummins announces the arrival of the New Power unit in South America. This includes Electric propulsion, NG Engines, cleaner Diesel Engines, Fuel Cell and mainly Hydrogen.

Source: M&T Magazine     Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  As part of its global strategy, Cummins in South America, leads in the first phase in market niches with NG Engines and follows with other new solutions in the following phases.   PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development South America, for Power Systems Research

VWCO To Invest US$ 400 million in Four Years in Brazil

The amount is expected to be directed mainly to new technologies, such as for the Proconve P8 introduction in 2023, new technologies for Connectivity and development of sales and aftersales areas.

Source: O Estado de São Paulo     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The investment is higher than the former investments cycles but keeps the same line and makes the company one of the most important players in the Truck and Bus industry in South America. With this announcement, VWCO confirms its belief in the Brazilian Market and indicates its willingness to keep its market share lead. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development South America, for Power Systems Research

JCB To Expand Production Capacity in Brazil

JCB plans to invest R$ 120 million (US$ 20 million) in its factory located in Sorocaba, State of São Paulo, with the objective of increasing annual production capacity from 4,000 to 10,000 units by 2026. JCB expects to grow 50% in sales volume this year, compared to last year’s results, and more than double the sales.

Source: Valor Economico      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With the increased production volume from new products made in Brazil, such as Wheel Loaders, JCB should be above 80% capacity. With the market growth forecast for Brazil, it will be necessary for JCB to increase production capacity. The scenario is slightly different for other players who have higher capacity in their plants in Brazil. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development South America, for Power Systems Research

DATAPOINT: North American Golf Cars 2021 Production: 56,200 Units

56,200 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of golf cars to be produced in North America  during 2021. In this report, we consider North America to be the United States.

This 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.

Market Share:  With 42% of total units produced, Yamaha Motor leads in production of gas-powered Golf Cars in the United States.  In second position is Textron (EZGO) with 32%; third, is Club car with 26%.

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2021-11-21

VinFast Launches Two EVs, Announces US HQ and Manufacturing Plant

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

VinFast has selected Los Angeles as its US headquarters and recently shared plans to begin manufacturing in the U.S. in 2024. VinFast is the automotive manufacturing subsidiary of VinGroup, a Vietnamese conglomerate that develops everything from real estate to technology and healthcare. The VinFast subsidiary was founded in 2017.

VinFast is working to deliver its flagship EV, the VF e34, later this year in Vietnam. When that happens, it will be the first-ever EV sold in the entire Vietnamese market.

Last month, we reported that VinFast was ambitiously entering markets overseas, beginning with the US, Canada, and Europe at the same time.

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Hyundai Motor Launches ‘Wage Half Price Plant’

For the first time in 23 years, a finished car plant has started operations in South Korea. The operator is Gwangju Global Motors (GGM). This unfamiliar company was established under the leadership of the city of Gwangju in southwestern South Korea, with Hyundai Motor taking a stake, to specialize in contract manufacturing of small cars. The city of Gwangju, which aims to attract industry and create jobs, and Hyundai Motor, which wanted a plant where production can be outsourced at a low cost, coincided in their intentions.

The site area of 455,000 square meters is lined with three buildings: a pressed car body factory, a painting factory, and an assembly factory. Inside the assembly plant, which measures 340 meters by 140 meters, eight colorful car bodies flow smoothly down a three-dimensional production line.

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NEDO Begins R&D of Hydrogen Aircraft

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) says it will launch a four-topic research and development project for the development of next-generation aircraft, including core technologies for hydrogen aircraft and drastic weight reduction of major structural components of aircraft.

By using Japan’s strengths in elemental technologies such as hydrogen and materials, the project aims to increase the ratio of participation in international joint development of airframes and engines (currently about 20-30%) and contribute to the decarbonization of the aviation sector. It will be implemented as part of the Green Innovation Fund project with a total of 2 trillion yen. The budget is 21.08 billion yen. Kawasaki will develop the core technology for hydrogen aircraft, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. will develop complex shapes and dramatically reduce the weight of major structural parts of aircraft.

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Chip Shortages Cause Worst Festive Season in Decade for Auto Industry

Aditya Kondejkar

2021’s festive period from Navratri to Diwali (October) marked the worst performance for India automakers in nearly a decade. Usually, sales of PVs peak during the period, however, the demand was much lower this year. 

Further, two-wheeler and tractor sales dropped by about 10%. The major reason for this drop is supply-side challenges on semiconductors and lack of demand in entry-level segments for both PVs and two-wheelers.

In the commercial vehicles space, the situation was somewhat better with an increase in demand for interstate movement of goods.

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Weichai Delivers 150-Ton Mining Trucks

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

The 150-ton large-scale mining truck delivered by Weichai has accumulated more than 50,000 hours of trial operation, with a total mileage of more than 360,000 kilometers, a 70% increase in efficiency, and a 10% reduction in unit energy consumption.

This product is equipped with a powertrain system consisting of Weichai Group’s 17-liter engine + 3300 Nm high torque 8-speed gearbox + 60-ton drive axle. The operation equals the output of two trucks, which significantly reduces the number of vehicles need for a specific job, greatly reduces operating costs, and brings considerable economic benefits to customers

Source:  Weichai Power  Read The Article

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