Kia Plans Customer Specific EVs

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

Kia is pursuing its own EV strategy centered on specific applications such as delivery vehicles and cabs. The company is jointly developing delivery vehicles with Korea’s largest online retailer, Coupang, and customer specific EVs will account for 1 million of the 1.6 million EV sales target for 2030. A dedicated plant will also be built in the suburbs of Seoul.

The company and Coupang will develop vehicles with increased cargo capacity and refrigerated and frozen interior equipment, with the assumption that only one driver will be on board. Coupang will have its own distribution center and delivery vehicles for high-speed delivery and will hire drivers directly. Coupang has indicated that it plans to operate 10,000 EV delivery vehicles in the future.

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Show Report: Automec 2023

The Power Systems Research team in Brazil attended Automec 2023 this month, the show dedicated to the On Highway aftermarket. It’s the show that features main components manufacturers selling in Aftermarket.

This year’s edition took place April 25-29 at São Paulo Expo where more than 1500 brands were shown by 450 international exhibitors from 12 countries, in seven international pavilions.

More than 90,000 attendees visited the show(20% above last edition), with 30% of returning rate, coming from all regions of Brazil and 60 countries. The estimated volume of business is US$ 6 Billion (R$ 29,5 Billion).

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XCMG To Produce EV Trucks in Brazil in Two years

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

XCMG announced plans to produce battery electric trucks in Brazil at Pouso Alegre (MG) plant in two years. Until then, the company expects to build a local network of suppliers and wait for new industrial policies that are expected for the electric vehicle segment.

The current plan consists of starting with the assembly of chassis and cabins at the Minas Gerais plant with components produced by local suppliers. Batteries and other components of the electric powertrain will be imported from China.

This first stage fits the company’s electric trucks within the scope of Finame, the BNDES credit line that finances the acquisition of machinery and equipment. To access this line, the product to be financed must have a certain percentage of parts and components produced in the country.

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DATAPOINT: NA Off-Highway Trucks 2023 Production

1,600 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Off-Highway Trucks expected to be produced in the United States and Canada in 2023. None of these trucks are electric units.

Unlike On-Road Trucks, Off-Highway Trucks are specifically designed to work in punishing environments and are made to haul material and debris around a work site. These purpose-built vehicles are not constrained by the weight limits of their smaller on-road counterparts.

Expect production to increase 5% by 2025 as the need for new equipment for mining operations increases.  It is speculated that there will be growth in the excavation of iron ore, nickel and bauxite followed by gold and copper.  PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Research

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

DATAPOINT: NA Mixers, 2023 Production

34,000 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Mixers expected to be produced in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2023.

Mixers are used by a variety of industries, especially for construction applications, and mix an assortment of materials. Power Systems Research tracks the North American production of two types of mixers: one used to produce asphalt and one for mixing mortar or concrete. Asphalt Mixers/Agitators are used to manufacture asphalt, macadam and other forms of coated road stone, often called “blacktop.”

A Cement/Mortar Mixer is a mechanical mixer that uses rotating paddles attached to a horizontal axle to blend the mix ingredients of mortar or concrete.

This product information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Battery/Corded Electric Units: Production of electric units are expected to increase by 23% in 2023 over 2022, climbing 1,300 units to about 6,800 units this year powered by either battery or cords. In 2023, electric units (battery and corded) will be about 2% of total North American Mixer production. PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research

DATAPOINT: NA Personal Watercraft

89,700 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Personal Watercraft (PWC) expected to be produced in North America in 2023. In this category, we include jet drive boats and jet drive pontoons as well as personal watercraft.

Jet Drive Boats are boats propelled by a jet of water ejected from the back of the craft; they have no propeller and can maneuver in shallow water. PWCs are also driven by jet water and come in several styles: Stand-Ups or Sit-Downs. They are often referred to as jet skis. Sit Downs are designed for one, two or three persons in a sitting position, one in front of the other. PWC Stand-Ups are designed for one rider standing or kneeling on the watercraft.

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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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BEV Demand Boosts Brazil Mining Investment

The increase in global demand for clean energy is accelerating investments in the exploration of reserves of so-called critical or strategic minerals in Brazil. Over the next five years in Brazil, companies are expected to invest approximately US$ 8 billion in key strategic minerals. In copper the expectation is that the resources will reach US$ 4.47 billion, while nickel is in second place, with investments of US$ 2.3 Billion forecast.

Source: Valor      Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  A significant part of the investment will take place in Construction and Mining Equipment such as Hydraulic Excavators, Heavy Duty Wheel loaders and Graders that helps to sustain and increase the growth in the segment in Brazil.   PSR

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

DataPoint: North America Production of Scooters              

197,500 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Scooters expected to be produced in North America in 2023.

Scooters are motorized 2-wheeled vehicles used primarily for recreational.

Production climbed sharply in 2022, increasing by 24,686 units, or 14.6%, from 2021. We expect production to climb in 2023 as well, growing by about 3,725 units or 2%.

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