Regions | Power Systems Research

2024-12-14

Chinese EVs Moving Ahead of US Producers

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

CATL Pushes Forward With All-Solid-State EV Batteries

Guy Youngs

The world’s largest EV battery maker is advancing a new type of battery, which promises higher energy density. According to a new local report, CATL is investing heavily while ramping up its workforce to bring all-solid-state EV batteries to market.

The company’s solution has an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg for lithium ternary batteries, 40% more than current batteries. However, the report said charging speed and cycle life are not quite where they need to be

Source: Electrek: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With trial production reportedly kicking off, we could see CATL launch all-solid-state EV batteries soon. The benefits of solid state batteries (higher energy density leading to longer range, rapid charging, safety and lower weight) are well known. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Batteries, Global, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

Outboard Engine Market Forecast: USD 19 Billion

Michael Aistrup

GLOBAL REPORT

The global outboard engines market size was $10.58B in 2023 and is anticipated to reach $19.13B by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.53% from 2024 to 2034, according to Power Systems Research (PSR).

Source: Power Systems Research

Summary. The outboard engines market produces, sells, and distributes outboard motors. These engines are independent propulsion units positioned externally on a boat’s transom instead of being integrated within the hull. These engines, which are used to power a variety of watercraft, such as boats, dinghies, pontoons, and fishing vessels, usually consist of a powerhead, gearbox, and propeller.

Categories: Global, Marine, PowerTALK, Sales

Office: United States Offices

Nebraska AG Sues Truck Makers Over CARB

Chris Fisher

NORTH AMERICA REPORT

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed an antitrust lawsuit against some of the nation’s largest heavy-duty truck manufacturers alleging a plot to stifle the availability of internal-combustion semi-trucks in favor of electric ones.

In the lawsuit filed Nov. 19, Hilgers said California and the California Air Resources Board have “recently embarked on a mission to eliminate the [internal combustion engine] vehicle and mandate the electrification of our nation’s vehicle fleet.”

While other lawsuits have been filed against California and CARB attempting to halt or slow down the regulations, including one led by Hilgers to block CARB’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, Hilgers’ new lawsuit targets manufacturers themselves, including Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), International Motors, Paccar, Volvo Group North America, and the Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Legislation, North America, PowerTALK

Office: United States Offices

VW and Suspensys Develop Hybrid Concept Truck

Fabio Ferraresi

Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus, in collaboration with Suspensys, has unveiled the VW Meteor Hybrid, Brazil’s first hybrid concept truck. This vehicle features a diesel engine combined with an electric auxiliary axle developed by Suspensys, enabling intelligent traction management that optimizes performance, reduces travel time, and enhances fuel efficiency.

The intelligent traction system allows the third axle to become driven, transforming the truck into a 6×4 configuration when necessary. This provides additional torque for uphill climbs and improved starting power when towing a loaded trailer. Preliminary studies suggest that this setup can decrease travel time due to the extra power.

Additionally, the regenerative system recovers energy during deceleration and in areas with elevation changes, enhancing efficiency and battery storage. The extent of increased autonomy depends on the operation and route. Initial tests estimate that the Meteor Hybrid concept can reduce diesel consumption by up to 10%, depending on the operation’s topography. This directly impacts CO₂ emissions, potentially avoiding over 25 tons annually.

Source: Revista M&T Read The Article

PSR Analysis. This concept aligns with Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus’s strategy for decarbonization, as it can operate solely on the diesel engine during long trips without the need for charging infrastructure. This flexibility is particularly useful for routes lacking charging stations, increasing the operational versatility of the hybrid model. PSR

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

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

Office: Brazil Office

Volvo Expands OH Trucks Production in Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi

SOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT

Volvo Construction Equipment has expanded its Brazilian manufacturing portfolio by localizing production of the A45G articulated hauler at its Pederneiras facility in São Paulo. This model, the largest articulated hauler produced by Volvo in Brazil, is now eligible for BNDES’s Finame financing program, that offers attractive rates and favorable payment terms.

The A45G is designed for industries requiring heavy-duty articulated haulers with a payload capacity of 41 tons, such as mining and heavy construction.

Categories: Central/South America, Commercial Vehicles, PowerTALK, Production

Office: Brazil Office

2024-12-13

Kubota To Build Excavator Plant in Germany

Akihiro Komuro

JAPAN REPORT

Kubota says it plans to build a factory in Germany to manufacture small excavators. Production will begin in 2026, and the new factory will increase the local subsidiary’s production capacity by 40%. Kubota will acquire a factory site near the current factory of Kubota Baumaschinen, which manufactures and sells construction equipment in Germany. In the fiscal year ending December 2022, sales of construction equipment in Europe accounted for 20% of the company’s total sales in this sector, behind North America and Australia, which accounted for 60%.

Demand for small construction equipment in Europe is currently sluggish. In the first nine months of fiscal 2024, sales of construction equipment in Europe declined 29.1 billion yen from the same period a year earlier.

Kubota says the reason for building a new plant despite the sluggish demand for construction equipment is that the market has bottomed out.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: In Germany, Kubota has held the leading market share for its main product, mini excavators, for 20 years. Although the construction equipment market is currently sluggish, this move can be seen as an investment in anticipation of an upturn in demand in the medium to long term. The EU has the most stringent exhaust regulations, and acceptance in such a market demonstrates the company’s ability to respond to increasingly stringent environmental regulations in other countries. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research

Categories: Construction, Production, Southeast Asia

Office: Japan Office

Strike Causes Auto Production Problems

Akihiro Komuro

SOUTH KOREA REPORT

The declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has sparked a series of strikes by labor unions. The unions, which are the support base for the opposition parties calling for the president’s resignation, are mobilizing up to 200,000 people. Major industries such as the automobile industry are already affected.

The strike was led by the umbrella organization, the National Metal Workers’ Union. In addition to Hyundai Motor, which is a member of the union, more than 70,000 workers from other companies that support the Korean auto industry, such as Kia Motors, GM Korea and Hyundai Mobis, an auto parts manufacturer, have joined the strike.

Categories: Economics, South Korea

Office: Japan Office

Thai Government To Ease Some EV Production Quotas

Akihiro Komuro

The Thai government says it will relax the requirement for EV manufacturers receiving subsidies to produce a certain number of vehicles by 2024. There had been calls for a revision from Chinese manufacturers and others. This is in response to poor market conditions for EVs.

The Board of Investment (BOI) of Thailand provides subsidies to manufacturers that can be applied to the purchase of EVs. The subsidy amount is up to about US$ 3,000 (100,000 baht or about 440,000 yen) per vehicle, which is about 10% of the purchase price of a medium-sized SUV.

Categories: EV, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production, Thailand

Office: Japan Office

FAW Jiefang Launches First Hydrogen Engine

Jack Hao

In December, FAW Jiefang began production on its first hydrogen engine in Dalian, Liaoning Province, marking a key step for it in the field of green intelligent transportation.

The project is expected to have a total investment of US$84.41 million (614 million yuan), building medium-sized engines ranging from 5 to 7 liters, heavy-duty hydrogen engines, and production lines. The CA6HV3 production line is the world’s first hydrogen engine production line; it will help FAW Jiefang build a more complete powertrain product line. It is reported that the CA6HV3 hydrogen engine, independently developed by FAW Jiefang, is the first domestic heavy-duty commercial vehicle direct-injection hydrogen engine in China. It leads the country in thermal efficiency and product reliability and achieves zero carbon emissions.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Greater China, Hydrogen, PowerTALK, Production

Office: China Office

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