PowerTALK Reports

In this month’s PowerTALK News, read about battery development, Volvo’s plans to launch hydrogen powered trucks, a report on global e-bike production, a forecast on 2024 Light Plant production, Yanmar’s acquisition of Claas India, a combine harvester, to expand its India market, and Malaysia’s expanding auto sales.

In This Issue

Alternative Power Report:

• Fast Charging Gets Faster in LFP Batteries
• Revolutionary Battery Made from Stone Could Transform Electric Cars
• Is New Silicon EV Battery From CalTech Spinoff The Best Thing Ever?
• China’s Restrictions on Antimony Could Force Shortfall

Global:

• Volvo To Launch Hydrogen Powered Trucks
• E-Bike Market Hits US$38.2 Billion

DataPoint: 2024 North America Light Plant Production
Europe: Electric Boats Popular at Cannes Yachting Festival
Brazil/South America:

• Columbia Resumes Taxing Vehicles Imported from Brazil
• Tata Negotiates for Production Plant in Brazil

Japan: Yanmar Acquires CLASS india, a Combine Manufacturer
South Korea: Hyundai Motor To Double Number of Hybrid Models
Malaysia: Jan-Jun 2024 Car Sales Gain Ground
China: Yuchai, Kim Long Motor Vietnam Sign Agreement
India: Rural Recovery Drives Surge in Auto Demand

On the Alternative Power scene in this month’s PowerTALK News read about battery development, and Toyota owners suing the OEM. There’s also a forecast on the global snowmobile market, and Chris Fisher discusses the impact of the CARB ACT regulations on truck sales. Also read about plans by giant BYD to build a production facility in Turkey.

In This Issue

Alternative Power Report:

• Safe, Long-Cyclable Lithium Battery Tested
• Toyota Mirai Drivers Sue Automaker
• Wastewater Needed by LFP Battery Supply Chain
• Diesel Demand Drops as EV, Electric Semi Markets Grow

Global: Snowmobile Market Forecast Is $2.42 Billion
North America: Impact of 2024 CARB ACT Truck Sales Regulations
DataPoint: NA Personal Watercraft Production
Europe:

• Deutz and Rolls Royce Engine Deal Approved
• Maersk Investments in Fleet Decarbonization

Brazil/South America:

• Marcopolo Volare Unveils Hybrid Ethanol 1.0 Micro Bus
• Heavy Duty Trailers Market Remains High

Japan: Iseki To Move Production to Indonesia
South Korea: Hyundai Motor Lists Subsidiary in India
Indonesia: Moves To Cut Chinese Ownership of Nickel Projects
China: BYD Plans Factory in Turkey
India: Rising Inventory Levels Challenge Auto Dealers

Canada is joining the United States and Europe in considering placing hefty tariffs on imported Chinese EVs. Read the EV tariff news in the July issue of PowerTALK News published by Power Systems Research. There’s also product news about North American scooter production and global production forecasts for Medium and Heavy commercial vehicles and motorcycles.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT:

• EV Sales Are Headed for Long-Term Growth
• Research Offers Environmentally Friendly Lithium Production
• EU Tariffs Hit Chinese EVs, Draw Reaction from Beijing
• Canada Considers Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:  

• 2024 MHCV Production Expected To Decline by 1.6%
• 2024 Global Motorcycle Market Estimated at $144 Billion

DATAPOINT: NA Scooter Production

EUROPE:

• Belgium Risks Losing Audi Car Production in Brussels
• Electric/Hybrid Marine Event Shows New Technologies

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Brazil Truck Production Grows Significantly
• Brazil’s Frasle Mobility To Buy Dacomsa for $389 Million

JAPAN: Hitachi Demonstrates Ultra-Large Electric Dump Truck
THAILAND: Honda To Cut Thai Car Production Capacity by 50%
SOUTH KOREA: LG, Hyundai Open Indonesia EV Battery Plant
CHINA: Chinese Joint Venture Begins Battery Plant in Mississippi
INDIA: Bajaj, TVS Enter CNG Two-Wheeler Market

Read Jack Hao’s report on China’s expanding battery swap alliance in which seven auto OEMs are developing a network of battery swapping stations for EVs. Driven by multiple factors such as government support, market demand, and battery technology upgrades, the battery swap solution is attracting a lot of attention from the market.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• China Threatens EU, U.S. with Tariffs Up To 25%
• European Batteries Could Be 60% Less Carbon Intensive Than Chinese
• Diesel Demand Hits 26-Year Low as EV, Hydrogen Sales Boom
• Discovery May Drive Down Cost of Hydrogen Fuel

GLOBAL:  

• Electric MHV Update
• Global Golf Cart Production

DATAPOINT: Global Snowmobile Production          
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• JCB Invests To Double Its Size in Latin America
• Ford To Manufacture Ranger Engines in Argentina

JAPAN: Iseki Develops Large Unmanned Tractor
THAILAND: Suzuki Halts Thai 4-wheel Production
CHINA: Battery Swapping Seen as EV Recharging Solution
INDIA: Hybrid Vehicles Compete With EVs

The May 2024 issue of PowerTALK News presents articles about Chinese EV production, Agrishow 2024 news, EV production in SE Asia and Kubota’s plans for production in India.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• Chinese EVs Pile Up in European Ports
• Europe Studies Chinese EV Subsidies
• How Valuable Is Fools Gold?
• Hyundai and Kia Develop Hydrogen Engine

GLOBAL:  

• Volvo To Build Plant in Mexico
• ATV, S&S Market To Hit $22.9 Billion

DATAPOINT: North America Skid Steer Loader Production  

EUROPE: World Hydrogen Summit Report
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Storms Batter Brazilian OEMs
• Agrishow 2024 Report

JAPAN: Komatsu Develops Mobile Hydrogen Generator
South Korea: Kia To Double Hybrid Sales
Thailand: Malaysia Overtakes Thailand in New Vehicle Sales
CHINA: Bosch China Sets Up Commercial Vehicle Group
INDIA: Kubota Sees India as Global Production Hub
PSR

The April 2024 issue of PowerTALK News presents another excellent report by analyst Guy Youngs on Alternate Power sources, an update on the OEM Van Hool, John Deere’s aggressive plans for expansion in Brazil, and an analysis of the market strategies being developed by two OEMs in the India market.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• Are Sodium Ion Batteries Viable Alternative to Lithium?
• New Hydrogen Colors to Watch in 2024 and Why They Matter
• Study Shows Plug-in Hybrids Aren’t as Clean as We Thought
• CATL, Yutong Launch Long-life EV Battery

GLOBAL:  Lawn and Garden Equipment Market

DATAPOINT: North America Plate Compactor Production  

EUROPE: A New Path for Van Hool   
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• John Deere Announces New Investments in Brazil
• Volvo To Begin Testing Heavy Trucks

JAPAN: Kubota Unveils First Fuel Cell Tractor
CHINA: VW To Inject € 2.5 billion into its Hefei Base
INDIA: Two EV Strategies for India Market

In the March 2024 issue of PowerTALK News you’ll find two articles describing changes at Van Hool, the Belgian bus manufacturer, as it struggles to meet EV competition. Another EV article describes possible EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports. You can also read an update on EV battery technology from Michael Aistrup as well as a report on the record sales performance in 2023 by Rolls Royce power systems business unit by Natasa Mulahalilovic, Finance and Admin. Manager – Europe.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT:

• Germany Drops Subsidies for Electric Semi-trucks and Buses
• Lithium-Air EV Batteries Tapped For Net Zero Economy of The Future
• Why Are Hydrogen Fuel Cells So Expensive?
• Europe May Slap Retroactive Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:

• Van Hool To End City Bus Production in Belgium
• E-Battery Technology Increases Application Opportunities

DATAPOINT: North America Trencher Production  

EUROPE:

• Rolls Royce Posts 16% Revenue Gain
• Van Hool Making Major Changes      

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Car OEMs Announce US$ 14.3 Billion Investment in Brazil
• AG and CE Segments Poised for Substantial Growth in Brazil

JAPAN: Kubota Plans To Produce Batteries for EV AG Equipment
SOUTH KOREA: SK Plans World’s Largest Semiconductor Manufacturing Base
CHINA: Electrification of Construction Machinery Industry Accelerates
INDIA: EV Market Provides Opportunities and Challenges

China companies dealing in alternative power–batteries and electric vehicles–make the news in the February issue of PowerTALK by Power Systems Research. CATL has gained market share in the global battery market and it has formed a production alliance in China. At the same time, China OEMs are gaining market share in Thailand’s EV market. Mike Aistrup reports that the global powersports recreational products market is forecast to exceed US$ 35 Billion in 2025.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• CATL Expands Battery Market Share Lead in 2023
• Electric Trucks Can Haul 100 Tons
• Daimler’s Aims for Hydrogen Milestone
• Toyota Maintains EV Market Skepticism

NORTH AMERICA:

• Shell To Exit Light Duty FCEV Market in California
• Global Powersports Market To Exceed $35 Billion in 2025

DATAPOINT: NA ATVs
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• VW To Invest US$250 Million in Argentina by 2026
• Cummins To Produce New Off Highway Engine at Guarulhos Plant
• Brazil Posts Record Heavy Duty Trailers Sales in January 2024  

JAPAN: Toyota and Chiyoda Develop Hydrogen Production System
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor Shifts EV Plans, Introduces Genesis Hybrid
THAILAND: Japanese Car Share Plummets in Thailand, China Gains Share
CHINA: LGMG and CATAL Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement
INDIA: India FY25 Budget Is Driving EV Revolution

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

Worldwide EV battery development continues at a fast pace, US outdoor recreation industry hits $1 trillion, and Honda plans to drop mass production of its Honda “e” . Read about these items and more in the December PowerTALK News from Power Systems Research.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• High Energy, Cobalt-Free Lithium Ion Battery Developed
• CATL Creates Fast Charging Skateboard
• Record Low EV Battery Prices Reported in 2023
• US Discovers Lithium Bonanza for EV Batteries

NORTH AMERICA: 

• Electrify Where It Makes Sense
• Outdoor Recreation Adds $1.5 Trillion to US Economy in 2022

DATAPOINT: NA Combines
EUROPE: Kobelco Expands European Headquarters
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Argentina Vehicle Production Grows in November
• Brazil Off-Highway Machine Sales Continue To Decline
• VW Trucks and Bus To Restart Two Shifts in January

JAPAN: Honda To Drop Mass-Produced EV “Honda e”
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor and Apple May Partner
INDIA: Mahindra Plans To Double Tractor Exports