Tesla Breaks Ground for Diner with Theater and Supercharger

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

Tesla has broken ground on the site of its planned futuristic diner with a drive-in theater and Supercharger station. This project has been in the works for several years. In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, (with) roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.”

A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations. Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. Last year, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.

Source: Electrek: Read The Article

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Global Economy Seeing Modest Growth with Positive Outlook

GLOBAL REPORT
Jim Downey

SUMMARY. Many factors are pointing to modest growth in Q3 2023. This should lead to total production globally growing at +2.4% in 2023 vs 2022 (it was 2.6% in Q2 2023), and the outlook for the next few years remains positive with growth accelerating from 2025.  Apart from Russia and Ukraine, the main countries to show a decline are South Korea, Slovakia, Netherlands. However, the segment picture shows some differences.

Several drivers are influencing the global economic picture.

  • Fuel prices eased earlier this year, recently they have grown slightly and are no longer showing signs of easing. This remains a serious issue.
  • Supply chains remain constrained and show no signs of improving.
  • The war in Ukraine shows no sign of a speedy conclusion, despite recent successes by Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian exports of wheat, other grains and fertilizer have declined massively following Russia’s ending on the Grain Deal. Alternative routes (overland, and via the Danube) simply don’t have the necessary capacity.
  • Inflation is easing, but it continues to be a major concern for central banks as they consider raising their interest rates. This will pose a risk to economic growth in all regions. Inflation and price increases are putting OEMs in a difficult situation.
  • Risk of recession continues in the background for several countries, notably China, USA and Germany, and this could drag other countries into recession.
  • Covid is still lingering with global deaths now at over 6.9 million, and a new variant has the medical world concerned.
  • Latent demand for machinery keeps building, which is a positive sign.
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Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT 
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Mercedes is exhibiting its electric bus chassis eO500U at Busworld in Brussels targeting other markets where the body is assembled over the bus chassis. Traditionally, the exports of Mercedes from Brazil are over 50% of the total production and it targets to expand this percentage with the new BEV, that has WEG drives, BorgWarner batteries assembled in Brazil with imported battery supplies.

Source: Valor Economico     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: While the push from São Paulo city to buy only BEV buses in the near future jeopardizes current chassis manufacturers business, it boos the development of BEV chassis and allow exports to other countries. Mercedes runs against the clock to compete with players like BYD and Higher with BEV chassis already developed.   PSR

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

2024 Combine Production: 7,100 Units

7100 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Combines to be produced in North America (United States) in 2023. Final 2023 production numbers will be available later in Q1 2024.

A combine is a farm machine that harvests grain crops. Combines can reap, thresh and winnow crops into a single process. Crops include wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, etc. Combines overall boost crop output and farm income. 

Market Share:  With 61.5% of total units produced, Deere captured the lead for combine production in North America (US).  In second position was Case with 25%; third, was Claas Omaha with 9%.

Trends: In 2022, production of Combines in North America increased nearly 12.5%, climbing from 6,372 units in 2021 to 7,162 units in 2022. Production is expected to remain flat in 2023 with a nominal decrease of less than 1%.  The Combine market steadily rose this past year and farmers are upgrading to new machines. PSR

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

Alternative Power Report, January 2024

Battery development news continues to lead the way in the current issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research. In this issue, read articles about silicon anode powder used in batteries and a new cathode material that provides cheaper and more sustainable power. This issue contains news about government regulations aimed at EVs and GM and Komatsu joining forces to produce hydrogen powered mining trucks.

Hyundai Motor Sells Chongqing Plant in China

SOUTH KOREA REPORT

The company sold the plant to Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Yufu Industrial Park Construction and Investment Group, which is owned by the city of Chongqing, and its affiliate will use the plant as a production base for electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Company has sold its finished car plant in Chongqing, China, to a Chongqing government-owned company for 1.62 billion yuan (about 33 billion yen, $222 million) in December 2023. Hyundai Motor is rushing to restructure its Chinese business, which has suffered from sluggish sales, and concentrate its management resources in the U.S. and Southeast Asia.

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PowerTALK™, January 2024

BYD, the Chinese auto manufacturer, is making expansion moves in Brazil, Deutz plans to sell electric marine motor manufacturer Torqeedo to Yamaha and GM and Komatsu are developing hydrogen fuel cells for mining trucks. Read these articles and more in the January issue of PowerTALK News.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • GM, Komatsu Plan Hydrogen Fuel Cells for EV Mining Truc
  • · Drivers of Heavy, Dirty Cars Pay Stiff Penalty Tax in Franc
  • · Survey: EV Range Anxiety Slips in Importance
  • · Cathode Material for Cheaper, More Sustainable EVs Developed

NORTH AMERICA: Consumers, Professionals Boost Lawn & Garden Spending
EUROPE:

  • · Electric Hydro Foiling Popular in Maritime Industry
  • · Deutz AG To Sell Torqeedo Shares To Yamaha

DATAPOINT: NA Dumpers/Tenders
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • · BYD Seeks To Acquire Lithium Mining Operation in Brazil
  • · BYD Plans Supply Chain Verticalization in Brazil

JAPAN: 2023 Domestic MC Shipments Increase 4%
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor Sells Chongqing Plant in China
THAILAND: Lithium Deposit World’s Third Largest
CHINA: Recharging Slows Penetration of New Energy HD Trucks
INDIA: Ford’s Potential Return to India