Cummins To Invest $1 Billion in US Hydrogen Fuel Network

Cummins has announced that in addition to the recent investments it has made in its Fridley, Minn., plant, it will also invest more than $1 billion across its US engine manufacturing network in an effort to support the transition into hydrogen fuel.

The investments are being made in Indiana, North Carolina and New York. The $1 billion is intended to provide an upgrade of facilities supporting the first “fuel-agnostic” engine platforms in the industry. The fuel-agnostic concept refers specifically engines that can use different types of fuel, especially a variety of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels.

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Mercedes Announces BEV Bus for Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Mercedes says it has committed an investment of US$ 20 million for the launch of the eO500U, the first electric bus by the German OEM, the market leader in Brazil. Roberto Leoncini, Sales Director said that Mercedes opted for beginning the electrification of the MHV segment by the Bus products because it has higher impact on the population.

One of the key drivers for this launch is the new legislation for São Paulo city that aims to convert 50% of the fleet to electric by 2027. This means 7,000 electric buses will be sold by 2027. Sales forecast starts with 50 to 150 units by 2022.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With new legislation, OEMs rush for e-bus chassis launch to keep market share. Meanwhile, BYD celebrates the opportunity to grow with the lack of competitors, but it needs an improved in business model and strategic aspects to grow. PSR

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

Mercedes Makes Fourth Production Shutdown in Brazil

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  

Despite high demand, Mercedes announced its fourth temporary production stop at the plant in São Bernardo do Campo-SP, from July 4-15. In the announcement, Mercedes mentions the shortage of components and its effort to work with the supply chain to meet commitments with customers.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis. The shortage of components, particularly semiconductors, is taking longer than expected and is affecting the MHV market more than expected. It may affect market projections if the supply chains do not recover 2H 2022.    PSR

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

Mercedes To Deliver 1000 EV Bus by 2023 to São Paulo

During the Lat.Bus show in São Paulo, the Sales Director of Mercedes, Walter Barbosa, affirmed the demand of 500 EV Bus in 2022 and 500 in 2023, but he expect no deliveries in 2022 and all delivered in 2023.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Mercedes is running against the clock to win the business in São Paulo. Although it is preferred by the public transportation companies, BYD is ahead with product already developed. Marcopolo shows as a solution with own chassis and body, but still in early stages of launch.    PSR

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

Toyota To Invest 1.5 trillion Yen in Auto Batteries

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it will invest 1.5 trillion yen in automotive batteries by 2030. Of this amount, 1 trillion yen will be used to increase the production capacity to 200 GWh, 33 times the current level. This is an increase of more than 10% over the previous target.

The company also announced that it will invest 500 billion yen in research and development, with the goal of reducing the cost of batteries per electric vehicle by more than half. As demand for electric vehicles is sure to grow, the battle for leadership among manufacturers will intensify.

Toyota’s investment in batteries was 80 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, and it is calculated to continue to exceed 100 billion yen per year until 2030. The total amount of capital investment is expected to be 1.35 trillion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2022, of which more than 10% will be allocated to batteries.

Source: The Nikkei

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Hyundai Motor and KT Invest in Autonomous Driving

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

The Hyundai Motor Group and telecommunications giant KT have formed a capital and business alliance. The two companies will invest about 750 billion won in each other by exchanging their shares.

The two companies will jointly develop communication-related technologies to produce autonomous driving equipment. In addition to automobiles, Hyundai Motor is expanding its business in the fields of robotics and urban air transportation (UAM, or flying cabs), and has decided that partnering with KT will enable it to accelerate research and development in fields other than automobiles.

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Jacto Announces New Plant in Brazil

Jacto has announced a new 96,000 m2 plant that it will build by 2023 in Pompeia-SP – Brazil, the same location where most of its operations are already located. Fernando Gonçalves Neto, Jacto President, says the new and modern facility will sustain forecasted growth for several years.

Source: M&T Magazine     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Jacto has been growing in importance with specialized products for high caliber agriculture in Brazil with sprayers, harvesters, and seeders. They have been launching new agricultural products with remarkable success and the growth outlook is positive. PSR

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

VWCO To Invest US$ 400 million in Four Years in Brazil

The amount is expected to be directed mainly to new technologies, such as for the Proconve P8 introduction in 2023, new technologies for Connectivity and development of sales and aftersales areas.

Source: O Estado de São Paulo     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The investment is higher than the former investments cycles but keeps the same line and makes the company one of the most important players in the Truck and Bus industry in South America. With this announcement, VWCO confirms its belief in the Brazilian Market and indicates its willingness to keep its market share lead. PSR

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