News: PowerTALK

2021-01-25

VW To Build $3 Billion EV Plant in East China

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

VW China has increased its share in the electric vehicle joint venture JAC Volkswagen to 75% and obtained joint venture management rights. At the same time, it has obtained a 26% stake in the EV battery maker Gotion High-Tech to support the future electrification of the group. The total investment of the above two projects is estimated to be about €2 billion.

The plant, which has an estimated investment of US$3.06 billion (20 billion yuan) from both Volkswagen and JAC Motors, will be finished by the end of 2022, and its first vehicle will roll off the assembly line in 2023.

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2021-01-24

Ford Announces Shutdown of Plants in Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Ford announced on Jan. 11 plans to shut down all car manufacturing operations in Brazil. Ford produced cars in Camaçari-BA, Taubaté-SP, and off-road vehicles (Troller) in Horizonte-CE.

The company will keep selling vehicles, especially the Ford Ranger, produced in Argentina and other products from other locations, such as the Transit, Bronco and Escape. Because of this action, Ford Expects an impact of US$ 4.1 billion in non-recurring expenses and a US$ 2.5 billion cash impact.

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GM Resumes $2 Billion Investment Program in Brazil

After freezing all investment last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, GM is now resuming its investment program of 10 billion of Brazilian Reais, equivalent to US$ 2 billion. The program funds new vehicles, infotainment systems, as well as modernization of the plants in Sao Paulo state.

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PSR Analysis: GM has kept and amplified their market leadership position in Brazil. In 2020, they moved into second place. Their continuous investment on new products and productivity has been recognized by the market.   PSR

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

Prototypes of 100% Brazilian e-Truck Tested at Agrale

Agrale plans to soon start production of electric trucks with the FNM brand, a Brazilian OEM that operated from 1939 to 1979. These trucks will target urban distribution and will be produced at Unit 2 of Agrale, in Caxias do Sul-RS. The Trucks use the base of trucks Agrale completed with an electric propulsion system.

Source: Agrale     Read The Article     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: It is hard to say how many Electric Trucks will be sold under the FNM Brand and Agrale production and when they will be produced. However, the FNM brand appeal is echoing in the press and the electric propulsion for urban deliver seems to put Agrale in the right track. The cost of battery/vehicle and timing will be keys for success, as well as public bids that may sell a significant number of units.

Cost and infrastructure are the key challenges for electrical vehicles in Brazil. Additionally, Brazil has other alternatives such as BioFuel and/or Hydrogen from NG or Ethanol competing with electrical plug-in vehicles to attend future GHG emission legislation. PSR

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

2021-01-22

NA Economic Outlook: Slower H1 2021, But Much Stronger H2 2021 Expected

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

SUMMARY.  In our previous forecasts, we have discussed some hope for a V-shaped recovery, it did not materialize.  Our conclusion was based on several factors, such as the current economic cycle, overall strength of the economy, fiscal policy, political landscape in the US and globally, etc. After managing through the early stages of the pandemic in H1 2020, we saw good trends in H2 2020 and we had reasons to be optimistic for a quick recovery.

However, the recovery took a slight pause during the last few months.  Unemployment continued to increase, and regional lockdowns prevented the necessary demand for a significant year-end growth.  Now that the elections are over, we’ll have yet to see what the new administration will be able to achieve during the next two years.  Specifically, if the long awaited infrastructure reform can be passed.  However, fiscal policy with near zero interest rates, which government has promised to keep in place for the near future, will provide a good platform for the economic recovery and allow us to look optimistically into 2021-2022.

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2020-12-21

VW Truck & Bus To Invest US$ 400 Million in 2021-2025

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

VW Truck and Bus has announced a new cycle of investment in Brazil operations of US$ 400 Million, for the period 2021 to 2025. This is higher than the last investment cycle, that was US$ 300 million that ended in 2020. This investment will be allocated in new products, mainly in alternative propulsion systems, such as electric, and improvements in the production facilities.

Source: AutoData       Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  The investment reinforces VW’s Truck and Bus focus in the Brazilian market. Product development for Proconve P8 in January 2023 will use a significant part of the investment; investments also will be made in facilities adjustments for higher volumes of production in the coming years.   PSR

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

Ford Announces US$ 580 Million Investment in Argentina

This investment is dedicated to the new generation of Ford Ranger, produced in Pacheco at the Great Buenos Aires since 1998. 70% of the investment will be for production facilities and 30% in the new product line development.

Source: Valor Economico     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The production in Argentina is mainly for export. The main market for Ranger pickups is Brazil where they will compete with the GM S10 produced in Brazil and the Toyota Hi Lux produced in Argentina.    PSR

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

Brazil Is Key To Emissions Strategies for Oil Companies

Recently, European BP, Shell, Equinor and Total signed the agreement to meet the zero net emissions target by 2050. These companies see the Brazilian market as a key component in meeting this goal while they assemble the projects portfolio with Photovoltaic, Offshore Eolic and biofuel.

Source: AB Solar     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Brazil has a clean matrix and tradition in biofuel tradition since it began using Ethanol in the 70’s and 80’s. Some companies, such as Shell, operate with biofuel in Brazil, producing and distributing Ethanol, and plan to expand this position to meet future emissions targets. PSR

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

Haval Starts Building Motor Plant in Russia

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Construction of the new Haval plant is based on an investment contract. The new plant, which is scheduled to start production in 2022, Haval is expected to increase localization of its cars.

The plant is located in Tula region, and its production should be enough to produce engines for more than 90% of the Haval cars sold in Russia.

Investment in the project is estimated to be about US$ 55 million (4 billion Rubles). Planned annual production capacity is 80K engines.  

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PSR Analysis: This event is an example of the strategy to develop relationships between the Russian government and large international OEMs. Large car makers are allowed to sell their product in Russian market while they bring production capacities (and technologies) into the country.    PSR

Maxim Sakov, Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

KAMAZ Launches First Dump Truck Sharing Service

The KAMAZ truck sharing service works on the classic vehicle sharing model. The company provides a ready-to-use vehicle; the client just needs to fuel it. Optionally, the client can rent the truck with the driver.

It’s possible to take a truck for a period of one day up to one year. The fleet available for rent includes modern dump trucks KAMAZ-65801 up to 32 ton capacity, which is one of most popular models on the market.

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