2025-03-23
As automakers brace for new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley is warning the extra costs would be “devastating.” Farley said the threats are already creating “chaos” and “a lot of costs” for the US auto industry.
So far, however, “what we’re seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos,” Farley added. Ford is looking for ways to build up inventory in the US to soften the blow of Trump’s tariffs.
2025-03-18
Wärtsilä, a marine and energy technology provider, saw a 34% increase in Q4 2024 order intake and 14% growth for the full year. Q4 orders reached EUR 2,491 million, with net sales up 13% to EUR 1,854 million.
The full-year order intake was EUR 8,072 million, with net sales growing 7% to EUR 6,449 million. The order book rose 25% to EUR 8,366 million.
CEO Håkan Agnevall highlighted record highs in order intake, operating results, and cash flow, noting significant profitability improvements. Despite geopolitical uncertainties, demand for decarbonization solutions has remained strong.
2025-01-27
“Looking ahead, we expect the gradual increase in infrastructure spending to boost consumption and improve demand, a revival across most CV segments, particularly in buses and vans, which are set to outperform last year’s levels. Intermediate, light and medium commercial vehicles (ILMCVs) are also likely to record similar or improved growth compared to fiscal year 2024.” – Girish Wagh, executive director at Tata Motors
Source: AutocarPro Read The Article
Market Dynamics and Growth Segments
The CV industry is set to benefit from the government’s pro-growth policies, particularly in infrastructure. The increased Capex outlay of US$115.5 billion ( ₹10 trillion) in the Union Budget 2023-24 is driving growth in sectors such as steel, cement, mining, and construction, which are key consumers of CVs.
In late November 2024, KTM, one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, declared bankruptcy due to mounting debts totaling nearly US$3.09 billion (€3 billion). The company has since entered self-administration under Austria’s insolvency laws, granting it a 90-day protection period from creditors1. This move is part of a broader effort to restructure and stabilize the company’s finances.
The financial troubles have led to a temporary halt in production at KTM’s Mattighofen factory until the end of February 2025. This pause aims to clear the backlog of unsold bikes, with approximately 130,000 units in stock, many of which do not meet the new Euro 5+ emissions standards. The halt in production is a significant step as KTM works to manage its inventory and reduce costs.
2024-09-23
Starting in 2025, vehicle exports from Brazil to Colombia will once again be taxed at a 54% rate. The tax exemption agreement, in place since 2017, will not be renewed. According to the Colombian government, this decision is designed to protect its local automotive industry, currently dominated by Renault. This is a setback for Brazilian manufacturers, who exported fewer vehicles in 2024, with a 30% drop compared to the previous year.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: This means an important reduction of exports from Brazil, affecting some OEM exports severely; for others, there will be no impact. These production impacts are already deployed in the forecast in OE Link database.
Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development-South America, for Power Systems Research
2024-08-27
BYD has signed an agreement with the Turkish government to invest USD 1 Billion to build a factory in Turkey. This is BYD’s second factory in Europe following one built in Hungary. Under the agreement, BYD will build a factory and research and development center with an annual production of 150,000 vehicles. The factory is planned to start production by the end of 2026 and will provide job opportunities for up to 5,000 workers. The factory is expected to improve BYD’s logistics efficiency.
The Turkish government is welcoming the factory construction of Chinese automotive enterprises and is holding discussions regarding factory construction are taking place with SAIC and Great Wall, as well as BYD and Chery. Previously, Turkey announced the cancellation of a plan to impose an additional 40% tariff on all vehicles from China, which was announced a month earlier, to encourage Chinese automotive enterprises to invest in Turkey.
A research team at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has developed a new generation of lithium metal batteries, with the innovation centering on microcrack-free polymer electrolytes, which promise extended lifespan and enhanced safety at temperatures as high as 100 degrees Celsius
The microcrack-free polymer electrolytes are synthesized via a straightforward one-step click reaction, exhibiting notable attributes including “a remarkable resistance to dendrite growth and outstanding non-flammability,” the researchers reported
Source: PV Magazine: Read The Article
Dendrite growth is a tree-like structure of crystals that grows on metal cathode and has large consequences regarding material properties as it causes the loss of active lithium inside batteries, which leads to capacity loss.
PSR Analysis: Dendrite growth has been a key component of the duration of battery life (in terms of the number of cycles and battery degradation), so any move in this area holds great promise. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead for Power Systems Research
Hyundai Motor has begun the initial public offering (IPO) process for its Indian subsidiary to further develop the company. The IPO is expected to raise $3 billion, making it the largest IPO ever in India. Over the past 20 years, Hyundai Motor has exported 3.6 million Indian-made passenger cars to more than 150 countries, including emerging markets, making it the largest exporter among India-based automakers. India is now Hyundai Motor’s second largest market after North America, surpassing its home market of South Korea.
Indonesia is trying to reduce Chinese investment in new nickel mining and smelting operations in order to qualify for U.S. tax incentives. Under the Biden administration’s Inflation-Reduction Act (IRA), large tax incentives will apply after 2025. However, it does not apply to batteries sourced from “foreign entities of concern,” such as companies in which Chinese capital holds more than 25% of the shares, or to EVs that use nickel or other key minerals. Indonesia’s nickel industry will be hit hard by these conditions. This is because the country has been the world’s largest producer of nickel for the past four years, thanks to a large influx of Chinese capital into its mining and smelting operations.
According to three people familiar with the matter, the Indonesian government and the nickel industry are working on new investment projects in which Chinese companies will have a smaller stake. It is possible that the nickel supplied through these deals will be eligible for tax benefits under the IRA. However, in order for the Indonesian nickel industry to receive tax benefits, it will also need to negotiate a trade agreement with the United States. The Indonesian side is proposing an agreement limited to critical minerals.
2024-07-15
The Canadian government is preparing tariffs on Chinese-made EVs to align with the US and European Union, which have already proposed heavy duties to deter “unfair” competition imported from overseas
The country holds strong ties with the US and EU and looks to align with its trade partners in solidarity while blocking a potential loophole China could use to enter North America.
Source: Electrek: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Canada is still in the early stages of these tariffs, with discussion ongoing. Prime Minister Trudeau has not publicly committed Canada to imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs, stating the cabinet is monitoring the situation closely. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
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