Tesla Proposes Investment in Indonesia to Promote EV Industry

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

The Indonesian government announced on Feb. 5 that it had received an investment proposal from Tesla. The country is the world’s largest producer of nickel, which is essential for the production of batteries for EVs. In order to promote the EV and battery related industries, Indonesia had invited Tesla to invest in the country.

Details of the talks between Indonesia and Tesla cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality agreements, but it is said that they have mainly discussed battery and energy storage solutions. The Indonesian vice-minister said, “If Tesla only wants to buy raw materials, we are not interested. The proposal is more than the procurement of raw materials and extends to energy storage systems such as MegaPack, PowerPack and Powerwall,” he said.

Read More»

New Vehicle Sales Increase 33% in September

SOUTHEAST ASIA: 6 MAJOR COUNTRIES REPORT

New vehicle sales in the six major Southeast Asian countries totaled 317,765 units in September, up 33% from the same month last year. The figures were compiled from new vehicle sales statistics released by automobile industry associations and other organizations in each country. This is the 12th consecutive month that sales have exceeded those of the same month last year; the economic recovery from COVID-19 continues, with sales up 8% compared to September 2019, even before the spread of the infection.

Indonesia, the largest new vehicle market in the region, saw a 19% y/y increase to 99,986 units. This was the highest single-month sales volume in 2022. The tax exemption for some models ended at the end of September, and there appears to have been a rush demand for new vehicles.

Read More»

Beiqi Foton Motors and Cummins Set Joint Investment

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Beijing Foton Motors and Cummins said they will further strengthen their strategic cooperation in the Southeast Asian region and sign a joint investment agreement with the Foton Cummins Thailand engine factory to provide powertrains for the Foton Zhengda vehicle base and Southeast Asian business.

This signing would mark a further strategic cooperation between Foton Motors and Cummins, targeting a wider range of regional markets and providing more diversified power solutions to global customers.

As a global emerging economy, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has become one of the regions with the greatest development potential in the world. In recent years, Foton Motors has had significant business expansion in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Their market share has gradually increased in trucks, buses, and other specialized vehicles, and they have built their reputation in the local market.

Read More»

Biodiesel Mix Increase Begins in Brazil

During its first meeting March 17, 2023, the new leadership of the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) approved an increase to 12% of the mandatory blend of biodiesel to diesel sold in Brazil, after April this year.

The proposal approved by the CNPE sets the addition of biodiesel in the composition of diesel to grow in April this year from the current level of 10% (B10 mixture) to 12% (B12 mixture). The content will be raised to 13% (B13 mixture) in April 2024, to 14% (B14 mixture) in April 2025 and to 15% (B15 mixture) in April 2026.

Read More»

GM Resumes $2 Billion Investment Program in Brazil

After freezing all investment last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, GM is now resuming its investment program of 10 billion of Brazilian Reais, equivalent to US$ 2 billion. The program funds new vehicles, infotainment systems, as well as modernization of the plants in Sao Paulo state.

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: GM has kept and amplified their market leadership position in Brazil. In 2020, they moved into second place. Their continuous investment on new products and productivity has been recognized by the market.   PSR

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

Rostselmash Increases Investment Program More Than 40%

Rostselmash, the largest Russian AG machine maker, during the period into 2024 will increase investments for production development from US$ 275 million to US$ 390 million (19.9 billion Rubles to 28.5 billion Rubles, respectively).

Initially, the transmission plant was scheduled to make 90,000 gear units per year, but as soon as the plan of tractor production was corrected, planned output of the transmission plant was increased to 150,000 gear units per year. Also, three new painting lines were added.

In the beginning of September Rostselmash started building a new plant in Rostov-Don. It will make tractors, road construction and communal machines. The new plant will make 5,000 machines per year.

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With the increased harvest in Russia, increased prices for grain and the remaining State support program, Rostselmash has increased resources for a larger investment program. However, another reason for increasing investment is the growing inflation, which requires additional spending.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

Sales of Agriculture Machines in Russian Increase 50%

The Russian market for AG machines has increased by 1.5 times during the first six months of this year, reaching 93.9 billion rubles (US$ 1.27 billion). Production volume has increased by 45% to 112.7 billion rubles (US$ 1.54 billion).

The largest growth has been in the output of plows, climbing to 1,800 units and AG tractors – by 43% to 2,800 units. Production of sprayers has increased by 37.3% to 953 units. There has been a modest gain in production of grain combines, increasing 10.2% to 3,800 units, and self-propelled mowers, gaining 2.6% to 228 units.

Read More»

Ford Announces US$ 580 Million Investment in Argentina

This investment is dedicated to the new generation of Ford Ranger, produced in Pacheco at the Great Buenos Aires since 1998. 70% of the investment will be for production facilities and 30% in the new product line development.

Source: Valor Economico     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The production in Argentina is mainly for export. The main market for Ranger pickups is Brazil where they will compete with the GM S10 produced in Brazil and the Toyota Hi Lux produced in Argentina.    PSR

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