Reports came out in late December that workers building a BYD factory in Brazil were working in “slavery” conditions and were potentially victims of human trafficking. Without a doubt, something horrible was going on. How much BYD knew or didn’t know, we don’t know, but the company has now terminated its subcontractor, Jinjiang Construction Brazil.
“Brazilian authorities have halted the construction of a factory for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD, saying workers lived in conditions comparable to ‘slavery’,” BBC reported. “More than 160 workers have been rescued in Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, according to a statement from the Public Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT).
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.
Dumpers/Tenders are vehicles designed for carrying bulk material, often on building sites. Dumpers are distinguished from dump trucks by configuration: a dumper is usually an open 4-wheeled vehicle with the load skip in front of the driver, while a dump truck has its cab in front of the load.
Utility style models are versatile and are extremely popular with homeowners. Dumper/Tenders, commonly referred to as the Power Buggy, are sought after pieces of equipment, much faster than a conventional wheelbarrow and can accelerate job site related activities.
This product 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. PSR
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Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Resources
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
