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Weichai-BYD JV Begins Production of Battery Plant
CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao The joint venture between Weichai Power and BYD has started construction on its factory, which has attracted widespread attention and has quickly become a hot topic in the industry. On Nov. 3, 2023, in Shandong Province, the Weichai (Yantai) New Energy Power Industrial Park project, a joint venture between Weichai Power and BYD, officially began construction.
Project plans call for the creation of a research and development and manufacturing base for batteries, motors, electronic controls, and electric drive assemblies that run through new energy commercial vehicles.
After the project is put into operation, the direct beneficiaries will include Weichai New Energy Commercial Vehicles under the Weichai Group and located in Yantai.
May 12, 2023, Weichai Power and BYD signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shenzhen to jointly produce power batteries in Shandong.
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Construction Equipment Set for Substantial Growth
INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar The construction equipment industry anticipates a robust 5-year outlook with a projected 15% year-on-year growth. This optimistic forecast is anchored in the momentum generated by ongoing construction projects and increased infrastructure spending. The government’s substantial allocation of $130.57 billion (Rs 10 lakh crore) underscores its commitment to fortifying this sector.
Moreover, the recognition of the scale and technological prospects within the construction landscape further emphasizes the strategic importance of advancements in this domain.
Source: Times of India: Read The Article
The construction equipment (CE) sector has undergone significant transformation over the past 2-3 years, marked by major players reaching peak manufacturing capacities and subsequently embarking on expansive growth initiatives.
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Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility
INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar Sonalika Group is planning to spend approximately $100 million to set up a manufacturing facility for the production of tractors aimed at the international export market. Production will be used to developing products tailored to meet customer requirements in Latin America, Europe, United States, Oceania and South Asia
“We are looking at investing $100 million to set up a dedicated facility for exports. The new unit will have total installed capacity of 100,000 units and will be commissioned within the next two years,” according to Gaurav Saxena, director and CEO of the company’s International Tractors Ltd., operation.
One-third of the group’s revenue is attributed to exports, and the organization aims to be among the world’s top three tractor brands by 2030, considering the global sale of 1.5 million tractors. Presently, ITL exports 35,000 units and has set a target to reach 100,000 units within the next seven years.
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FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture
CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao FAW Jiefang and CATL have set up a joint venture company, Jiefang (Jilin) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., to do business in the new energy segment. The company is wholly-owned by Jiefang shidai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., which is a joint venture between FAW and CATL with each party holding 50% of the JV’s shares.
The JV was established to sell new energy vehicles, batteries, battery parts, and electric vehicle charging equipment charging stations; Information system integration services; and Intelligent control system integration. It also will manufacture power transmission and distribution and control equipment.
In August 2022, CATL reached a strategic cooperation agreement with FAW Jiefang, proposing to invest 500 million yuan to establish a subsidiary for cooperation. CATL’s battery business mainly focuses on the passenger car market, and the cooperation between the two sides marks the beginning of CATL’s in-depth launch into the new energy commercial vehicle market.
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Malaysia’s Proton Considers Building EV Plant in Thailand
SOUTHEAST ASIA: MALAYSIA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro Malaysian state-owned carmaker Proton is considering building an EV plant in Thailand, according to reports from Thailand government officials. The Thai government has long focused on promoting related industries.
At a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, where he is visiting, the Thai Prime Minister said, “I hope we can confirm clear steps to invite the plant and proceed quickly,” and indicated that he plans to work out the details with the parties involved soon. The amount of investment and production capacity were not disclosed.
Proton was established in 1983 as a national policy to revive Malaysia’s automotive industry. Currently, the company is rushing to switch to EVs after receiving an investment from Geely, a private Chinese automotive giant.
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Komatsu To Develop Electric Excavator with Honda
FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Komatsu says it will launch the PC05E-1 electric micro excavator, jointly developed with Honda, in the Japanese market in October. In the domestic construction equipment market, where the electrification market has not yet been developed, Komatsu plans to quickly create a market to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by introducing a variety of models.
The machine is an expanded version of the PC01E-1 electric micro excavator, which was introduced to the domestic market in March 2022. The current “PC05-1” micro excavator, which is widely used for small civil engineering and construction work as well as gas, electric and plumbing sites, has been electrified by installing the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: or electric power unit (eGX) as a power source, like the “PC01E-1”. Komatsu aims to achieve electrification by FY2023.
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Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
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 Ar…
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Higer Azure Electric Bus Debuts in São Paulo
The Azure A12 BR electric bus, from China’s TEVX Higer, has started operating in the South Zone of São Paulo. The vehicle has been put into use by Transwolff. According to the company, the 12-meter-long vehicle was made especially for the Brazilian market. It has a low floor and a suspension “kneeling” system. This feature provides more safety, comfort, and ease when boarding and disembarking passengers.
The bus has wide aisles and an access ramp at the central door. Thus, there is more accessibility for people with special needs related to reduced mobility.
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Brazil’s School Bus Program Postponed
Initially scheduled to begin Sept. 12, 2023, the auction of the federal program “Caminhos da Escola” was postponed indefinitely. A new date has not been set. The new stage, which provides for the purchase of 163,000 buses was eagerly awaited by chassis and body manufacturers, would have been delayed until 2024 because of the time needed for the production.
The reason is technical: according to the bidding notice published at the end of last month, important chassis manufacturers as Volvo and Merecedes would be excluded from the bidding process due to new certification demanded.
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2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic The 46th Cannes Yachting Festival was the largest one ever, hosting 610 exhibitors and 705 boats. The Cannes Yachting Festival remains the largest and the most visited European pleasure boat show organized on the water.
The show’s organizers said the event has never hosted that many motor and sailing, mono and multi hulls, outboard boats, ribs and semi-rigid boats, tenders, electric, hydro-foiling, and other types of boats.
The show ran Sept. 12-17, offering six days of meetings and exchange with boat builders, engine and equipment manufacturers, designers and architects and other professionals from the pleasure marine industry.
The event hosted by a beautiful Mediterranean Cannes attracted 55,000 visitors coming from more than 130 worldwide countries. As usual, it was organized in two locations in the city, Vieux Port and Port Conto des Cannes. Motorboats and yachts in all sizes and with all propulsion types were displayed at the Vieux Port and sailing yachts and catamarans at the Port Canto des Cannes.
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