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PowerTALK™, August 2026
Sign-up for PowerTALKIn the August 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about China’s move to EV trucks, CATL’s truck battery swapping project, the forecast for 2026 production of PWCs, soft Argentina demand weakens Brazil exports, Hyundai winning data center power order, Geely acquiring stake in Ford’s Spanish production plant, and more.
IN THIS ISSUE
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- China’s Electric Truck Moment Has Arrived
- $5M Startup Claims Rare Earth-free Electric Motor
- 2030: More Than One Million Worn Out Batteries Likely
- CATL Building Battery Swapping Hubs for EV Trucks
- Laos Used Drastic Approach To Go 100% EV Overnight
NORTH AMERICA REPORT: Daimler Truck Group Plans Two Plants
DATAPOINT REPORT: 2026 North American PWC ProductionSOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Volvo Buses Introduces Flex Chassis for Biodiesel Operation
- BYD Adds High Floor Blade Battery Chassis To EV Bus Portfolio
- Scania Targets Bus Market Growth with Super Platform
- Falling Argentine Demand Drives 20% Decline in Brazil Exports
JAPAN REPORT: Yanmar, Hitachi Explore Equipment Collaboration
SOUTH KOREA REPORT: HD Hyundai Heavy Wins US Data Center Power Order
MALAYSIA-INDONESIA REPORT: Diesel Costs Disrupt Palm Harvest
CHINA REPORT: Geely To Acquire 34% Stake in Ford’s Spanish Plant
INDIA REPORT: Auto Expansion Bets on Next Growth Cycle -
PowerTALK™, July 2026
Download PDFIn the July 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about the Q2 2026 Truck Production Report, a new battery that could make larger aircraft possible, expanding Chinese vehicle imports to Brazil, South Korea government’s action on AI investments, and more.
IN THIS ISSUE
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- New Battery Could Lead To Big Leaps in Performance
- Air Battery Makes Larger Electric Aircraft Possible
- Batteries Can Reshape Shipping Fuels
- Fossil Fuels Are 40% of Freight Shipping Tonnage
- Paving the Way for Lithium-Nitrogen Batteries
TRUCK PRODUCTION REPORT: Q2 2026 PSR Truck Production Index Climbs 11.3%
DATAPOINT REPORT: 2026 North American Hydroseeder ProductionSOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Bus Chassis Production Shows Gains Despite Likely Downturn
- Chinese Vehicle Imports Reduce Brazil Exports to Argentina
- Scania Brazil Plant Prepared for Electric Truck Production
- Sany Announces Production Plant in Campinas, Brazil
JAPAN REPORT: IHI Tests Ammonia-Fueled Land-based Engine
SOUTH KOREA REPORT: Government Links Semiconductor, AI Investments
THAILAND REPORT: MHEV Production Investment Approved
CHINA REPORT: XCMG Group, ZF Establish Joint Venture for Ag Macinery
INDIA REPORT: India-UK CETA: A Strategic Opportunity for Auto Industry
PSR REPORT: PSR Provides $2,000 STEM Scholarship -
PowerTALK™, April 2026
In the April 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about reports from CONEXPO 2026, Alternative Power News, and DataPoint, plus reports on Iran and Tariffs, BYD Developments, and more.
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- A “Failed Experiment”? Biofuels Under Spotlight
- US Battery Recycler Lands $1.1B Metals Refining Deal
- When Fossil Fuel Supplies Falter, Interest In Renewables Increases
- Oil Crisis Makes Drivers Reconsider Electric
DATAPOINT: 2026 Aerator Production
GLOBAL REPORT: 2026 Global MHCV Production Gains Seen
EUROPE REPORT:- Volvo Moves into Big Electric Equipment
- KTM Completes Strategic Realignment and Leap into Premium EVs
SOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Import Tax Decision on Buses Is Reversed
- Indian Preet Enters Brazil With Tractor Manufacturing Plant
- Selic Interest Rate Cut Has Limited Impact in Auto Market
- VWCO Tests B100 Soybean Biodiesel in Engines
- GAC Plans Vehicle Production in Brazil
JAPAN REPORT: Yanmar To Build Plant for Marine Hydrogen EnginesSOUTH KOREA REPORT: HD Construction Sets Electric Safety Training SystemPHILIPINES REPORT:…
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Interest Rates Hurt Brazil Heavy Truck Production
Fabio Ferraresi Heavy truck production in Brazil fell 3.7% in Q1 2025 versus the same period in 2024, totaling 16,700 units, according to Anfavea. The decline is attributed to high interest rates (Selic), which have limited fleet renewal despite a record grain harvest.
Heavy truck sales also dropped 7% in the quarter, with 13,000 units registered.
OEM Performance – Heavy Trucks: Volvo: 3,900 units sold (+4% YoY); Scania: 3,500 units (−17%), and Mercedes-Benz: 2,100 units (−13.5%)
Despite the contraction in the heavy segment, total truck production grew 8.2%, reaching 31,700 units. The Medium-duty truck segment production was 8,900 units (+28.5%) and the Light-duty truck production was 4,500 units (+10%)
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Hyundai Motor Plans To Invest $21 Billion in US
Last month, South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group announced that it will invest $21 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. In addition to investing $6 billion to build a steel mill in Louisiana, the company will increase its U.S. auto production capacity by 70% to 1.2 million vehicles per year at a cost of $9 billion
The $21 billion investment in the U.S. will be the largest ever made by the Hyundai Motor Group. The investment will be made between 2025 and 2028 and will cover a wide range of fields, including automobiles, steel, parts and energy.
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Three China-Owned Auto Companies Plan Merger
Jack Hao The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) officially announced that it would implement a strategic reorganization of the three state-owned automotive enterprises—FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, and Changan Automobile. The goal is to “build a world-class automotive group with global competitiveness, independent core technologies, and the ability to lead the transformation of intelligent and connected vehicles.”
The combined annual production capacity of the three central state-owned enterprises exceeds 8 million vehicles, yet the market share of their owned brands is less than 15%. The fragmented R&D investment has led to low efficiency in technological advances. After the reorganization, technological synergy will become a core focus. For example, a joint innovation consortium will be established in 28 “chokepoint” areas, such as automotive-grade chips and domain controllers, to concentrate resources on overcoming technological barriers.
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Farm Mechanization Unlocks Productivity
Farm mechanization in India is steadily evolving from being tractor-centric to encompassing a broader range of machines and technologies aimed at improving agricultural productivity and efficiency. Traditionally, mechanization was equated with the use of tractors, which replaced bullocks in tillage, sowing, and transport operations. The tractor gave Indian farmers a reliable source of power, allowing them to perform heavier and faster field tasks.
A typical pair of bullocks generates just about 1 horsepower (hp), while most tractors sold in India today are in the 41–50 hp range. With nearly 9 lakh units sold annually, tractors form the backbone of India’s farm power economy, contributing over ₹60,000 crore in value terms. Yet, the real shift lies in the rising demand for tractor-mounted and self-propelled farm machinery, driven by the need to overcome agricultural labor shortages and improve overall farm economics.
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