Korean Electric Motorcycle Maker Builds Factory in Vietnam

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

Zio Holdings, a South Korean company engaged in the production and sale of electric motorcycles, says it has completed an electric motorcycle factory in Bac Ninh Province in northern Vietnam.

The factory covers an area of 1,300 m2 and has an annual production capacity of 12,000 units. The factory will receive parts supplied from original brand factories in Vietnam and China and will assemble the parts at ZIO EV’s factory in Vietnam.

The electric bikes to be manufactured at the new factory will be named “EDEN” and “MEVOYEZ,” and will use LFP batteries (lithium-ion iron phosphate batteries). The maximum speed is 55Km/h, and the driving range is over 150km. The selling price is expected to be 30 million VND (approximately 176,000 yen).

Foton Aumark Shuts Down Operations in Brazil

Ten years after starting operations in Brazil with the import of Trucks and plans to have a local plant, Foton Aumark do Brasil (FAB) is preparing to go to court against the Chinese brand, claiming breach of contract. The company was created by economist Luiz Carlos Mendonça de Barros, former president of BNDES and former director of the Central Bank.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The volumes of Foton were always very small and the situation will not affect the market. Plans for plants and volumes were never executed and sales never ramped up. Now it is just litigation between the parties and dealers that should look for compensation after FAB.    PSR

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

PowerTALK™, December 2022

IN THIS ISSUE

Lots of news on Alternative Power issues in the December edition of PowerTALK News from Guy Youngs and other analysts at Power Systems Research. In addition to Guy Young’s report on alternative power, don’t miss John Krezsicki’s podcast about Michigan University’s Solar Car research program, Tesla’s Lithium refinery project in Texas and Chris Fisher’s report on M&A activity in the Light/Medium EV segment. PSR

  • Alternative Power
    • Are There Enough Materials For Needed EVs?
    • Redwood To Supply Cathode Materials To Panasonic
    • Tesla Lithium Refinery Project Advances in Texas
    • Here’s What Container Ships Could Look Like by 2050
  • DataPoint: Terminal Tractors
  • North America:
    • More Acquisitions in Light/Medium EV Segment
    • U.S. Powersports Industry Grows in 2021
    • PSR Podcast: Michigan Solar Car Program  
  • Europe: Solaris Buses Purchases 25 Fuel Cell Engines
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Royal Enfield Starts Assembly Plant in Brazil
    • BorgWarner To Produce Vehicle Batteries in Brazil
    • John Deere Plans Construction Equipment Plant
  • China: 2023 EV Sales To Grow To 8.4 Million Units
  • Japan: Honda To Produce FCVs in the U.S.
  • South Korea: SK To Expand Supplies To Hyundai’s U.S. Plant
  • India: CV Production Nears Pre-covid Levels

PowerTALK™, January 2023

Manufacturers are increasing their efforts to develop hydrogen as a power source for vehicles and stationary power equipment at the same time that they continue to develop batteries that are lighter and that can be charged faster.

In This Issue
  • Alternative Power
    • • Are Hydrogen Engines in the Future?
    • • Growth of Hydrogen Internal Combustion engines (H-ICE)
    • • JCB Reaches Hydrogen Milestone
    • • Hyster Begins Pilot of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Container Handler
  • North America: U.S. Economy Faces Problems
  • DataPoint: NA Combines
  • Brazil/South America
    • • Brazil Pushes Truck Renewal Program
    • • First Synthetic Fuel Neutral CO2 Started
    • • FPT Developing Ethanol or Biomethane Engine
  • Europe: Cost Increases Cause Losses at HanseYacht
  • China: CNH To Halt Sales of Construction Machinery
  • Japan: METI Sets 2030 Goal for EV Trucks
  • South Korea: Hyundai Plans $14.7 Billion for Software
  • Southeast Asia: EV Purchase Subsidies Planned
  • India: Bets Placed on Green Hydrogen

Thailand Kubota Takes Measures To Secure Manpower

SOUTHEAST ASIA: THAI REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

In Thailand, one of the most industrialized countries in Southeast Asia, automation is accelerating in the manufacturing industry as the working population tapers off. Workers’ attitudes are changing, and fewer Southeast Asians are migrating to Japan. Business models based on cheap labor are no longer viable in Asia.

When I visited the Amata City plant of Siam Kubota, a locally incorporated subsidiary of agricultural machinery giant Kubota Corporation, I saw countless automated guided vehicles (AGVs) running in every direction.

Sales of tractors and combine harvesters are booming, thanks in part to the government’s special demand for subsidized farm machinery for those who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 disaster and are now returning to their hometowns to start farming. The fruits of this policy are being returned in the form of year-end bonuses, and Siam Kubota is not suffering from a labor shortage at this time.

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Global ICE Industry Cliff Is Here

This article includes an important graph showing vehicle production numbers between 2015 and 2026, (projected for 2023–2026) which are based on historic BEV growth data and trends. Hybrids are lumped in with ICE cars and are shown as a preference over full BEVs which is clear in the data.

The chart shows that the overall auto industry has declined from its peak in 2017–due to the pandemic and chip shortage–before it started to recover in 2021. This chart/model is conservative in predicting industry growth at 1.6% y/y going forward and BEV growth at 50% for 2023 (average BEV growth was 57% for the past 7 years)

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Achieving Peak Efficiency in Diesel Technology

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

Many leading construction companies now are looking at ways they can reduce their CO2 footprints. With the advent of market-ready electrified powertrains, gas-fueled internal combustion and even fuel cell electric drives, where does the push for CO2 reductions leave diesel power?

Diesel technology has made real improvements. With cleaner combustion cycles, the introduction of low-carbon fuels and advanced emissions treatment hardware, diesel has never been cleaner. Diesel engines are so clean that the latest on-highway diesel engines that proposed Euro 7 standards have truck manufacturers focusing on reducing brake dust and tire particulates rather than engine emissions.

Source: International Construction: Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  Paul Muller, Technical Sales Manager at Perkins, and Steve Nendick, Marketing Communications Director for Global and European Off-Highway at Cummins recently gave their thoughts on engine efficiency improvements with the overall message being these two companies are still pushing for improvements in diesel efficiency as a route to lower carbon emissions.   PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

2030 PWC Market May Hit $3.01 Billion

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Personal watercraft (PWC), often known as a jet ski, is a watercraft that can carry as many as three people. A PWC Sit-Downs is defined as a vessel specifically designed to haul up to three riders in a sitting position, one in front of another. A PWC Stand-Up is a type of PWC designed for one rider standing or kneeling on the watercraft.

The PWC has wide uses, ranging from recreation and racing to many types of utility. PWCs are used to help with rescue missions as they are small, fast, and easy to operate. Local and county law organizations use PWCs to ensure the safety and security of persons engaged in watersports.

Market Size. According to Power Systems Research, the global market size for PWCs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2022 and 2030. Global revenue for 2030 is forecasted to be $3.01 billion.

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Scania, Mercedes Reduce Production Shifts in Brazil

BRAZIL REPORT  

In line with ANFAVEA forecast of 20% reduction in production for 2023, Scania and Mercedes announced the reduction of one shift of production in MHV production lines. Scania reallocated 200 employees at the remaining shift and laid off part of its temporary workers in the workforce. Scania does not have a forecast to reopen the second shift.

At the same time, Mercedes announced three months forecast to reopen the shift. While Scania only mentioned market demand as a reason for its reduction, Mercedes mention Market, lack of components and the country’s interest rates.

Source: Valor Econômico    Read The Article

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China’s Changan Auto To Build EV Plant in Thailand

SOUTHEAST ASIA: THAI REPORT

Changan Automobile Group, a major Chinese automobile manufacturer, will establish a new plant for electric vehicles such as EVs in Thailand, according to the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). The investment will be US$ 284 million (9.8 billion baht or about 38 billion yen), and construction is expected to be completed within a few years. The initial production capacity will be 100,000 vehicles a year, and on-board batteries will also be manufactured. The Thai government has established an incentive program to encourage local production of EVs, and Chinese EV giants have been actively investing in the country.

In addition to EVs, the new plant will produce electric vehicles such as HVs and PHVs. The company plans to supply vehicles to Southeast Asian countries, Australia, South Africa, and other markets.

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