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Vietnam Shifts To EV Motorcycles
Akihiro Komuro Vietnam, a country known for its large number of motorcycles, is experiencing controversy over its electric vehicle policy. The policy bans gasoline-powered motorcycles in certain areas of Hanoi, the capital, and has caused a stir. Honda, which holds an 80% share of the local motorcycle market, must rethink its strategy because most of its models run on gasoline. This sudden policy change could also disrupt daily life for residents.
In July, the Vietnamese government outlined bold measures to regulate gasoline-powered motorcycles in “Prime Ministerial Directive No. 20.” Starting in July 2026, operating gasoline-powered motorcycles within the Inner Ring Road in Hanoi will be banned. The Inner Ring Road spans over seven kilometers and includes the city center, home to government offices, the Japanese embassy, and the historic Old Quarter, a popular tourist destination.
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BYD Delivers 90,000 vehicles to Thailand in three years
Akihiro Komuro BYD announced that it has delivered a cumulative total of 90,000 vehicles to the Thai passenger car market since entering it three years ago. Last year, BYD began producing EVs at its Thai plant. BYD is preparing to produce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHVs) to further expand its market share.
BYD reported that 6,100 of the factory’s 6,900 employees are Thai nationals. BYD also announced that it will produce plug-in hybrid electric (PHV) sedans at the Thai factory. This will be the first time BYD has produced PHVs in Thailand. The factory has an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Expanding the range of models produced will increase consumer choice and the factory’s operating rate.
BYD entered the Thai passenger vehicle market in 2022 by exporting the EV SUV “ATTO3” from China. BYD is focusing on establishing local factories to expand into overseas markets. The Thai factory began operations in July 2024 and is positioned as BYD’s first full-scale passenger vehicle factory overseas.
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Honda To Launch Electric Motorcycles in Vietnam
Akihiro Komuro Honda plans to launch an electric motorcycle in Vietnam this month. The suggested retail price is less than 29 million VND (about $1183) without battery. The company is targeting the younger generation, who often use motorcycles to commute to school.
The name of the motorcycle to be sold is “ICON e:”. It will be manufactured at the company’s Binh Phuoc plant in northern Vietnam and will initially be sold through authorized dealers in seven provinces and cities. The maximum speed is 48 km/h, and it takes about 8 hours to charge the battery from zero to full. The maximum distance that can be traveled on a full charge is 71 kilometers. Because it does not require a driver’s license, which can be obtained at age 18, it is expected to be used by high school students on their way to school.
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Notes on Jakarta Construction Equipment Market
Editor’s Note: For a brief period from Feb. 8 – 12, I visited the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and conducted interviews with several people involved in the construction equipment industry. Here is a summary of the country and the stories I heard from industry experts.
Country Profile: Population 280 million, median age 29.7, and 90% of the population is Muslim. Comprises over 17,000 islands. The current capital is Jakarta, but due to worsening problems of land subsidence and air pollution, a plan has been made to move the capital to Nusantara, and construction of the new capital has already begun.
PSR Analysis: Chinese-made construction machinery is rapidly gaining popularity in the Indonesian market, where price is a key consideration–the initial cost is on average about 20% cheaper than Japanese or Western brands. The quality of Chinese-made machines has improved dramatically compared recently, and the after-sales service is also responsive, making it easy for buyers to select them.
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Kubota To Build Excavator Plant in Germany
JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro Kubota says it plans to build a factory in Germany to manufacture small excavators. Production will begin in 2026, and the new factory will increase the local subsidiary's production capacity by 40%. Kubota will acquire a factory site near the current factory of Kubota Baumaschinen, which manufactures and sells construction equipment in Germany. In the fiscal year ending December 2022, sales of construction equipment in Europe accounted for 20% of the company's total sales…
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AEC Discusses New Goals as Markets Integrate
SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has outlined the framework for a new implementation plan for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which is attempting to integrate the regional market. The plan will focus on digitalization and decarbonization of the economy as key objectives to be achieved by 2026-30. It will accelerate the integration of the market of 700 million people.
According to the draft plan, it will be structured around six goals, including creating an environment that encourages technological innovation, attracting investment in the green economy and building a food security system. It will include more than 200 specific implementation plans. The plan will be discussed at the ASEAN summit, which began in Laos on Oct. 9, 2024.
The plan includes creating a renewable energy supply network that spans member countries, making it easier for companies to provide financial services, such as fintech, across multiple countries in the region. In addition to digitizing trade transactions to facilitate trade, discussions are underway to include cooperation in the development of EV supply networks and infrastructure.
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