PowerTALK™, May 2023

Read about Show Reports in Europe and South America in the May issue of PowerTALK Report. In this issue, you’ll also find a global forecast for inboard marine engines, Kia’s plans for tailored EVs and Weichai’s plans to join forces with BYD to jointly produce batteries.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • Caterpillar and NMG Join Forces
    • Volkswagen Plans Its Largest Battery Factory In Canada
    • Cummins To Invest $1 Billion in Hydrogen Network
    • Japan’s Love of Hydrogen Power Could Lead To Failure
  • Global: Marine Inboard Market Forecast: US$4.45B
  • North America: EPA Releases Phase Three GHG Standards
  • DataPoint: North American Lawn Mowers
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Show Report: Agrishow 2023
    • Show Report: Automec Special
  • Europe: Show Report: Hannover Messe 2023
  • Japan: Hitachi Plans Remote Excavator
  • South Korea: Kia Plans Customer Specific EVs
  • Thailand:  China To Build EV Plant in Thailand
  • China: Weichai, BYD To Jointly Produce Batteries
  • India: Rural Areas Play Vital Role in EV Adoption

Show Report: Hannover Messe 2023

EUROPEAN REPORT 
Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

General Observations. The core topics at HANNOVER MESSE included artificial intelligence, hydrogen, energy management, connected and intelligent production, and the new Manufacturing-X data ecosystem.

More than 4,000 exhibitors presented their solutions and welcomed 130,000 visitors from around the globe. There seemed to be a very large Chinese contingent at the show (both as visitors and exhibitors), as well as a large number of local governments, universities and startups. There seemed to be a predominance of exhibitors showing bearings, copper fittings, cables and components as well as systems / electronics companies.

There was also a large number of independent robots in evidence, ranging from robotic dogs and robotic servers to robotic messengers following pre planned routes.

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PowerTALK™, July 2023

Production is the key word in PowerTALK articles for July. Read about new techniques for battery production, supply chain problems in Japan, production cutbacks in China and new facilities in South America.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • What Is Future of Alternative Power?
    • BYD Sets JV for EV Batteries
    • Offshore Hydrogen 10X Cost of LNG
    • VW Plans Dry Battery
  • Global:
    • Q2 2023 Economy Positive
    • Outdoor Power Equipment Shifts To Electric
  • DataPoint: North America Mixers
  • Europe:
    • Show Report: Electric Hybrid Marine
    • Ammonia Powered Fuel Cell
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Alternative Power MHVs Decline
    • First VW Truck Built in Argentina
    • BYD Expands Brazil Production
    • Scania Truck Has 900km Range
  • Japan: Semiconductor Shortage Hurts Honda
  • South Korea: Hyundai Cuts China Production
  • China: New VI-B Emissions
  • India: OEMs Target Premium MC Segment

Foxconn To Invest $246 Million in Vietnam Plant

SOUTHEAST ASIA: VIETNAM REPORT

Foxconn, Taiwan’s leading electronics contract manufacturer, has received regulatory approval for its plan to invest $246 million in two new projects in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam. The projects, to be carried out by a subsidiary of Foxconn Singapore, will focus on the manufacturing and assembly of telecommunications equipment and electric vehicle components.

This will bring Foxconn’s total investment in Vietnam to approximately $3 billion. Of the new investment, $200 million will be invested in a factory to produce EV chargers and components, which is expected to begin production in January 2025 and employ an estimated 1,200 workers.

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Brazil Motorcycle Production To Reach 1.5 Million in 2023

In the first seven months of 2023, manufacturers affiliated with Abraciclo assembled 887,000 motorcycles, up 14.3% over the same period in 2022. Registrations totaled 903,200, up 21.4%, including imports and sales from automakers not yet linked to the association, such as India’s Bajaj and Royal Enfield, which began production in Brazil at the end of last year. The entity’s expectations for 2023 are for expansion of 10.4% (1.56 million units) in production and 10.9% (1.51 million motorcycles) in licensing.

Source: Valor      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: In 2011, Brazil produced 2 million units, its best year in the history of the segment. However, this year was the beginning of consecutive annual declines that reduced production to 890,000 motorcycles in 2016. The start of the rebound in 2018 was interrupted in 2020 by the shutdown of factories brought on by the pandemic. The industry finally looked to the future again in 2023 and expects to reach a volume of 2 million motorcycles within five years.   PSR

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

PowerTALK™, September 2023

Read about plans by the state of California to build a hydrogen refueling network even though the state has only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars in the September issue of PowerTALK News. Chris Fisher provides an update on hydrogen powered commercial vehicles and Michael Aistrup delivers an update on e-bicycles.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
    • California Building Hydrogen Refueling Network for Cars
    • New Zinc-Air Batteries Challenge Lithium Batteries
    • The Truth About EV Battery Recycling
    • Australian Mining — Can It Power All The New EVs?
  • GLOBAL:
    • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle Update
    • E-Bike Market Analysis
  • DATAPOINT: NA Tractor/Loader/Backhoes (TLBs)   
  • BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA: 
    • Companies Support Fleet Renewal Program
    • Motorcycle Production To Reach 1.5 Million in 2023
    • BEV Demand Boosts Brazil Mining Investment
  • JAPAN: Target of 300,000 EV Chargers by 2030 Planned
  • SOUTH KOREA:  Battery Companies Increase Sales
  • VIETNAM: Ridesharing Giant Gojek Converts To EVs
  • CHINA: Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business
  • INDIA: Bus Sector Bounces Back; EVs Fuel Post-Covid Growth

PowerTALK™, October 2023

China’s growing success with EV sales in Europe is causing EU officials to consider placing tariffs on Chinese EV imports to balance the playing field. Read about this and more in the October issue of PowerTALK News.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • Tesla Tests Diner with Theater and Supercharger
  • Lithium Deposit In Extinct Nevada Volcano Could Be World’s Largest
  • Both Battery and Hydrogen Fuel Cars Needed
  • EU May Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:

  • Global Economy Seeing Modest Growth with Positive Outlook
  • E-Motorcycle Product Report

DATAPOINT: NA Scooters/Minibikes/Mopeds         

EUROPE: 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production
  • Brazil’s School Bus Program Postponed
  • Higer Azure Electric Bus Debuts in São Paulo

JAPAN: Komatsu Plans Electric Excavator Developed with Honda
MALAYSIA:  Proton Considers Building EV Plant in Thailand
CHINA: FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture
INDIA: Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility  

PowerTALK™, December 2023

Worldwide EV battery development continues at a fast pace, US outdoor recreation industry hits $1 trillion, and Honda plans to drop mass production of its Honda “e” . Read about these items and more in the December PowerTALK News from Power Systems Research.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • High Energy, Cobalt-Free Lithium Ion Battery Developed
  • CATL Creates Fast Charging Skateboard
  • Record Low EV Battery Prices Reported in 2023
  • US Discovers Lithium Bonanza for EV Batteries

NORTH AMERICA: 

  • Electrify Where It Makes Sense
  • Outdoor Recreation Adds $1.5 Trillion to US Economy in 2022

DATAPOINT: NA Combines
EUROPE: Kobelco Expands European Headquarters
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • Argentina Vehicle Production Grows in November
  • Brazil Off-Highway Machine Sales Continue To Decline
  • VW Trucks and Bus To Restart Two Shifts in January

JAPAN: Honda To Drop Mass-Produced EV “Honda e”
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor and Apple May Partner
INDIA: Mahindra Plans To Double Tractor Exports

Survey: EV Range Anxiety Slips in Importance

Euromonitor International has released the results of its Electric Vehicle Readiness Index for 2023 survey, which evaluates the most prepared countries which can support widespread EV adoption.

Norway, Switzerland and Sweden ranked at the top of the index, due to EV market maturity and consumer buying power. Brazil, South Africa and India were ranked at the bottom, owing to limited government incentives, low incomes and the undersupply of public charging stations

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