Europe | Power Systems Research

2025-05-25

KTM Grapples with Restructuring Efforts

The KTM Group, under the parent company Pierer Mobility AG, is currently navigating significant financial headwinds. Late November 2024 saw KTM AG enter a 90-day period of self-administration, a form of insolvency protection, burdened by approximately €3 billion in debt.

This move initiated a critical restructuring phase aimed at stabilizing the company’s financial position. A key milestone was reached in late February 2025 when creditors approved KTM’s restructuring plan, agreeing to a 30% debt repayment by May 23, 2025. This agreement hinged on KTM successfully raising €600 million by this crucial deadline, leading to an active search for potential investors.

Categories: Europe, Financial, Recreational Products

Office: Europe Office

2025-04-25

2-Wheelers Demand Crumbles Across European

Emiliano Marzoli

Brussels, Belgium. Registrations of power 2-wheelers across the top 10 markets in Europe were down 19% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. This result is mainly a consequence of the introduction of the Euro 5+ emissions standards on Jan. 1, 2025, and it was anticipated after the very positive results of 2024.

Germany, Austria and the UK saw the harsher decreases, reporting respectively a -41%, -27% and -22% compared to last year. On the other hand, Switzerland limited the loss to -6%, while Poland and Spain were the only countries to report positive growth, +3% and + 6%.

Categories: Emissions, Europe, Motorcycles, Recreational Products, Sales

Office: Europe Office

2025-04-20

UK Reconsidering Tesla Subsidies

Guy Youngs

US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imported automobiles (again), and one reaction from the UK is to reconsider its policy on electric vehicle subsidies, especially since it is providing so much money to Tesla buyers.

“Tesla has benefited from £188m in UK taxpayer subsidies in nine years,” The Independent writes.

After imposing a 25% tariff on automobiles exported from the UK to the US, it’s quite natural for British people in the auto industry and politicians to say, “Hey, we’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars to subsidize your cars, and now you want to slap a tax on ours? Let’s reconsider how our EV policies work….” UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government is reviewing its electric vehicle transition rules, amid calls for reciprocal tariffs on Tesla imports,

Source: Clean Technica: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The backlash against the Trump tariffs is slowly starting to take shape and a lot of this is directed at Tesla because of Elon Musk and his support for Trump. Given that Tesla put an end to the myth that Europeans won’t buy American cars, it’s a very odd place for Tesla to be in and they probably will remain there until such time as the dump Musk or go bankrupt. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, eMobility, Europe, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Tariff

Office: United States Offices

2025-02-24

Sanlorenzo, Volvo Penta Collaborate

Natasa Mulahalilovic

The Italian superyachts manufacturer Sanlorenzo and Volvo Penta are working to enhance yachting efficiency and sustainability by integrating the Volvo Penta’s IPS Professional Platform into the new SX120 and SX132 superyachts.

As part of its “Road to 2030” strategy, Sanlorenzo, a leading superyacht manufacturer, continues to drive innovation following the 2024 launch of the 50 Steel, the first superyacht powered by a green methanol-to-hydrogen fuel cell.

The IPS Professional Platform is an integrated, modular propulsion system developed by Volvo Penta and has been successfully tested on the 37 meters passenger ferry called Penta 40 in Sweden in 2024. It is designed for commercial vessels and superyachts between 25 and 55+ meters to improve efficiency, sustainability, reliability and comfort on the sea.

Categories: Europe, Marine, Partnerships, Production

Office: Europe Office

New Milestone for Volvo EV trucks

Emiliano Marzoli

Brussels, Belgium–Volvo Trucks has announced the assembly of its 1,000th electric vehicle at its Blainville-sur-Orne facility in France. This milestone underscores the expanding market penetration of electric commercial vehicles and signals a growing demand for sustainable transport solutions.

The 1,000th unit, a Volvo FE model, was delivered to the Mineris Group. The Blainville plant, a crucial component of Volvo’s global electric truck manufacturing network, is strategically positioned to escalate production capacity in anticipation of further market growth. This development reflects Volvo’s commitment to electrification and aligns with broader industry trends towards decarbonizing transportation.

Looking forward, Volvo projects continued market expansion and is adapting its production capabilities to accommodate anticipated demand. But what is this demand looking like? According to our Database CV Link™ while overall demand of commercial vehicles will grow by a CAGR of 4% from 2025 to 2030, EVs will grow by 39% CAGR, reaching 100 thousand units produced in 2030. PSR

Emiliano Marzoli is Manager, European Operations, for Power Systems Research

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Europe, Production

Office: Europe Office

2025-01-27

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

European EV Car Market Declines

Guy Youngs

The number of EVs sold across Europe fell by 3% to 3m during 2024, according to the latest data. This has come after the withdrawal of government tax breaks triggered a collapse in sales across Germany. The drop in Europe compared to a 40% surge in China, where 11m EVs were purchased. Sales across North America also rose 9% to 1.8m.

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Europe, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, Sales

Office: United States Offices

2024-10-15

Alternative Power Report, October 2024

Guy Youngs

Alternative Power Report – Oct 2024 Download

There’s plenty of news on battery development of EVs in the October 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research. You can also read about VW’s plans to restructure its labor force, as well as several articles on hydrogen power. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Alternative Power Reports, AltPwr, Batteries, Europe, Hydrogen, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

2024-10-14

EU OKs Tariff Hike on Chinese EVs

Jack Hao

The European Union has approved a tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles, according to the report from Agence France-Presse. Politicians and industry representatives from several European countries had previously expressed opposition to the European Commission’s investigation, and China also condemned the EU’s move to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as a typical act of protectionism.

Several European diplomats told Agence France-Presse that despite strong opposition led by Germany, the EU still approved the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. According to the report, 10 countries, including France and Italy, supported the imposition of a tariff of up to 35.3% on top of the existing 10% tariff. Five countries, including Germany and Hungary, voted against, and another 12 countries abstained.

Categories: Economics, Europe, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK

Office: China Office

2024-10-12

VW Employment “Earthquake” Hits Germany

Guy Youngs

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

Volkswagen Group has let it be known that it might need to shutter two factories in Germany. It also indicated it might need to end the “guaranteed employment” policy it has adhered to for decades that is designed to ensure workers there will always be a job for them within the Volkswagen family. The news has rocked the company and has been described as an earthquake by some in the German media

Layoffs, which are common in the industry, are not the Volkswagen way, but now it appears that this promise is in danger as the company struggles to adapt to the current market situation.

Source: Clean Technica Read The Article

PSR Analysis: There is much criticism of VW’s failure to grasp the opportunities presented by the electric and hybrid car markets. There is also a lot of criticism about those EV models that VW does build. This coupled with the fact that every fifth electric vehicle sold in Europe today is produced in China, means that the German auto industry is now in crisis and what it does next may determine if it survives. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Europe, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

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