Bosch China Establishes Commercial Vehicle Group

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Bosch Powertrain announced the establishment of a commercial vehicle group, aiming to strengthen cross-domain cooperation at the same time it introduced a new electronic pneumatic braking system and intelligent mobility solutions for commercial vehicles at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

Bosch also has developed an advanced super thermal management system to address the thermal management challenges in the commercial vehicle industry. Bosch says it is optimistic about the development prospects of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles and is actively promoting the adaptive development and promotion of related technologies.

During the Beijing Auto Show, Wang Weiliang, the President of the Board of Bosch Intelligent Transportation Solutions China and the President of Bosch Powertrain Systems China, announced Bosch’s significant strategic initiatives for this year. Wang Weiliang said that China, as the world’s largest commercial vehicle market, is in a golden era of booming development for the commercial vehicle industry.

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Alternative Power Report, May 2024

The May 2024 Alternative Power Report from Power Systems Research features several stories on Chinese EVs and the impact they are having on European and US markets. There also are stories on hydrogen development and hydrogen fueling stations. PSR

VW To Inject €2.5 billion into Hefei Base

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Facing intense competition in China’s new energy vehicle market, Volkswagen has decided to increase investment in its Hefei base. On April 11, Volkswagen announced an additional investment of €2.5 billion in its production and innovation center in Hefei to further strengthen its local R&D capabilities.

It has been reported that this investment will also be used to accelerate the development and production of two Volkswagen brand smart electric vehicle models co-developed with Xiaopeng Motors. Volkswagen revealed that the first model, a mid-size SUV, is planned to enter production in 2026.

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Recharging Slows Electrification of HD Trucks

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

In 2022, the penetration rate of new energy units in the commercial vehicle market exceeded 10%, and the penetration rate of heavy-duty trucks was close to 5%. The new energy subsidy policy was scheduled to be withdrawn at the end of 2023, but data for the January to October period is basically the same as the previous year. The share of new energy units for the commercial vehicle segment is far lower than the market share of 30.4% for new energy passenger vehicles.

With the accelerated adjustment of China’s transportation structure, it is expected that by 2025, the national railway and water freight volume will increase by 10% and 12%, respectively, compared to 2020, while the road freight volume will relatively decrease. In this context, bulk and ultra long-distance road transportation will gradually exit the market, and the advantages of short and point-to-point road trunk transportation with radii of around 500 kilometers and 300 kilometers will be further highlighted.

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China Discovers Unique Battery Material

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

A newly discovered ore containing vast quantities of an element widely used in semiconductors has been found in China. The discovery could propel new advances in battery technology.

Geologists have found the rare earth metal niobium inside the new ore named niobobaotite from north China’s Inner Mongolia. The rare earth metal is widely used in alloys for jet engines and rockets and has also been shown to have exceptional current conducting properties in low temperatures.

Researchers have said batteries made from niobium have several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. The Brazilian Metallurgy and Mining Company (CBMM) has been working on new projects towards the use of niobium to make advanced lithium-ion batteries.

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Weichai-BYD JV Begins Production of Battery Plant

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

The joint venture between Weichai Power and BYD has started construction on its factory, which has attracted widespread attention and has quickly become a hot topic in the industry. On Nov. 3, 2023, in Shandong Province, the Weichai (Yantai) New Energy Power Industrial Park project, a joint venture between Weichai Power and BYD, officially began construction.

Project plans call for the creation of a research and development and manufacturing base for batteries, motors, electronic controls, and electric drive assemblies that run through new energy commercial vehicles.

After the project is put into operation, the direct beneficiaries will include Weichai New Energy Commercial Vehicles under the Weichai Group and located in Yantai.

May 12, 2023, Weichai Power and BYD signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shenzhen to jointly produce power batteries in Shandong.

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FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

FAW Jiefang and CATL have set up a joint venture company, Jiefang (Jilin) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., to do business in the new energy segment. The company is wholly-owned by Jiefang shidai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., which is a joint venture between FAW  and CATL with each party holding 50% of the JV’s shares.

The JV was established to sell new energy vehicles, batteries, battery parts, and electric vehicle charging equipment charging stations; Information system integration services; and Intelligent control system integration. It also will manufacture power transmission and distribution and control equipment.

In August 2022, CATL reached a strategic cooperation agreement with FAW Jiefang, proposing to invest 500 million yuan to establish a subsidiary for cooperation.  CATL’s battery business mainly focuses on the passenger car market, and the cooperation between the two sides marks the beginning of CATL’s in-depth launch into the new energy commercial vehicle market.

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Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business.

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

The Sany Group has taken a major step in the electrification of the heavy truck market segment with the launch on Aug. 30, 2023, of Sany Magic Tower Energy Co., Ltd. The business plan includes battery sales, battery parts sales, new energy vehicle waste power battery recycling and cascade utilization, artificial intelligence basic software development, data processing and storage support services.

The blue ocean market of new energy heavy-duty trucks is about to experience explosive growth. “Blue ocean” refers to a business approach that focuses on creating a new, uncontested market space rather than competing in an existing market, which is often saturated and competitive. In a blue ocean, the competition is irrelevant because the brand or company is establishing a market where none existed before or is radically differentiating itself in an existing market.

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