Bus Sector Bounces Back: EVs Fuel Post-Covid Growth

Aditya Kondejkar

OEMs increasing their focus on the Bus sector to drive growth in the post-Covid period.

Ashok Leyland. One of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, Ashok Leyland has announced plans to invest ₹1,000 crore in setting up an integrated commercial vehicle (CV) and electric bus (e-bus) manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh. This plant is expected to have a planned production capacity of 2,500 buses annually, with the potential for expansion to 5,000 buses per year.

This significant investment is a strategic move for the company and carries several implications and opportunities. This critical analysis examines the key aspects of this investment decision.

“Contingent on market adoption and demand of alternative fuel vehicles in the state, Ashok Leyland intends to invest up to ₹1,000 crore in this new facility over the next few years,” says Shenu Agarwal, Ashok Leyland MD & CEO.

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Korean Battery Companies Increase Sales Significantly

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

The consolidated financial results for the April-June period of the three major Korean battery companies show significant sales growth. LG Energy Solution’s sales grew 73% y/y and operating profit was 2.4x y/y. SK On’s sales grew 2.9x y/y due to the expansion of EV production. Samsung SDI’s sales grew 23% y/y.

LG Energy, the world’s second largest automotive battery maker, posted a 73% y/y increase in sales to KRW 8.774 trillion (approximately $6.6 billion) and a 2.4x y/y increase in operating profit to KRW 461 billion (approximately $340 million), while its joint production with GM of the U.S., which will begin operations in 2022, also contributed to the continued growth in sales and profit.

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Q3 2023 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) Climbs 3.6%

St. Paul, MN — The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) climbed from 104 to 108, or 3.6%, for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2023. The PSR-TPI dropped from 117 to 108, or 7.7%, for the three-month period ending Sept. 30, 2023, from  Q2 2023.

The PSR-TPI is a quarterly truck production report that measures global truck production in six regions:  North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan and Korea and Emerging Markets.

This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research. The next update of the Power Systems Research TPI will be in January 2024 and will reflect changes in the TPI during Q4 2023. PSR

Jim Downey is vice president – global data products at Power Systems Research and Chris Fisher is the senior commercial vehicle analyst at Power Systems Research 

Transitioning from ICE Buses to Zero-Emission Engines

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

During the past few months, we have seen significant changes in the bus market in Europe and North America as operations convert from internal combustion engines to zero-emission buses. 

In Europe, Scania and Volvo are moving from building complete buses to a chassis only build.  The high cost of zero-emission buses and a competitive market are primary reasons for this.  The expected growth of zero-emission buses is forcing the OEMs to better streamline operations, and we expect to see other large OEMs transition down this path. 

Source: AMS

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Mahindra Plans To Double Tractor Exports

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

“Our aim is that with the launch of Oja (platform), we will double our export in the next three years,” says Hemant Sikka, president of Mahindra’s farm equipment sector. “So, we want to increase exports from 18,000 to 36,000 in about three years.”

In collaboration with Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan, and an investment of INR 1200 crore, the new Oja platform could help Mahindra win 25% of the worldwide tractor demand. This includes tapping into new markets such as Europe and ASEAN, as well as strengthening its presence in sectors like horticulture.

Source: Economic Times    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The launch of Mahindra Tractors’ new Oja platform underscores a strategic move with several critical business implications. First, the entry into the 80,000 unit ASEAN market represents an expansion initiative, targeting countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This move aligns with the company’s global growth strategy, capitalizing on the increasing demand for tractors in these emerging markets.

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