Auto Expo 2020 Misses Majors But Shows Many New Products

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Ritvik Kulkarni
Ritvik Kulkarni

The 15th edition of the biennial Auto Expo 2020 in New Delhi posted a record turnout of visitors. Despite missing out on mega launches and lukewarm participation by many OEMs, and absentees like Honda, Toyota, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Audi, Hero Moto Corp, TVS Motors, Bajaj Auto and Royal Enfield the auto show presented many futuristic concepts and cleaner vehicles.

Source: ET Auto.com  Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With the entire country gearing up for the imminent transition to cleaner emission norms in BS6, and the uncertainty over the recovery of a bad 2019, it was impressive that the Auto Expo 2020 registered a record attendance.

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VIETNAM REPORT: VinFast Enters Luxury Segment With New SUV

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has launched a luxury SUV, the VinFast President, to take on global brands like Lexus and Mercedes. To cost VND4.6 billion ($198,200), the seven-seater looks similar to VinFast’s first SUV, the Lux SA2.0, but with more advanced technologies and frills like massage and heated seats.

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Its 420HP V8 engine can go from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.8 seconds and offers a top speed of nearly 300 kph. VinFast will produce only 500 units and sell them exclusively in Vietnam. The first 100 customers will get a 17% discount on the price.

In its segment, the VinFast President costs 45% less than the Lexus LX 570 and 33% less than the BMW X7. Industry insiders say it lacks some premium features often seen in luxury cars such as captain’s chairs, TV screens and a high-end sound system. The vehicle signifies the ambition of VinFast, a unit of Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, Vingroup, to enter all segments of the auto market after bringing out its first vehicle in July last year.

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New Restrictions for Import of Right-Wheel Engines to Russia Launched

New restrictions for imports of right-wheel engines to Russia became effective July 1. Completely barred from import are machines of the M2 and M3 class – trucks, buses, LCVs and construction machines.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

On top of this, the procedure of Custom’s clearance of right-wheel passenger cars became more complicated. The owner of such car should obtain technical certificate, confirming compliance of car design to the safety requirement.

According to the Federal Customs Service, the amount of payments will depend on ecological class, production date, engine volume and other parameters. This will include processing fee, custom’s tax and utilization fee.      Read The Article

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Show Report: 2022 NEW Environmental Exposition

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Last month, I visited the three-day 2022 NEW Environmental Exposition, an exhibition of environment-related equipment in Tokyo. The show promoted the effective use of resources, new energy and energy reduction, and the utilization of CO2 emission reduction technologies

Source: Official Website

PSR Analysis: The exhibition featured many environment-related devices for waste treatment, demolition, bioplastics, water treatment and purification, heat utilization systems, recycling, and more.

Large equipment such as those that crush and efficiently separate debris mixed with earth, sand, and wood; metal recovery systems from seawater using special fibers, and equipment related to crushing wood, stone, and other materials were eye-catching in variety and size.

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A New Path for Van Hool

EUROPE REPORT 
Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

Brussels, Belgium – After weeks of uncertainty and, finally, a bankruptcy, bus and trailer manufacturer Van Hool can look to the future again.  The company trustee has accepted the bid from the competitor VDL – Schmitz-Cargobull.  This move was seen by the trustee as the quickest and most efficient way to restart the operations without losing additional company value, and important resources. 

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New Products at FENATRAN-Brazil

Scania displayed CNG trucks and biogas production systems at its booth as a clear bet on this technology growing against Diesel in Brazil. At FENATRAN, the 22nd International Road Cargo Transport Trade Show, it sold its first regular production R 410 fueled by CNG to RN Logistics. The truck will operate at the São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro route.

Scania Pushes First CNG Truck at FENATRAN

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First FOTON Produced in New Brazil Plant

The first units of the 3.5-ton LCV have been assembled at the GEFCO Plant in Guaíba-RS as the company begins producing under a manufacturing contract for Foton.

Source: AutoData     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: 

Despite this news, the speed of the development of the new line will be reduced by COVID-19 and related factors, including the social restrictions and workforce mobility, the impact in the LCV segment and also the lack of parts from China, major part of the content of these Trucks.     PSR

A New Class of Hybrids

The word “hybrid” in the power generation universe has generally been understood to mean a fossil-fuel engine supplemented by another power source, usually a renewable.

Tyler Wiegert
Tyler Wiegert

Then, the word grew to include vehicles and equipment that ran primarily on battery power but could be switched to a smaller engine that would recharge the battery while it ran.

Now, we are entering a time when “hybrid” includes drive systems that are primarily renewable-based and supplemented by an additional renewable system.

In this sphere, alternative power has primarily meant batteries and hydrogen fuel cells; one of the major impediments to wide adoption has always been range.

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