Weichai-BYD JV Begins Production of Battery Plant

News: Power Systems Research

2023-11-16

Weichai-BYD JV Begins Production of Battery Plant

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
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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2023-10-24

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
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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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
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 Article

PSR Analysis: While the push from São Paulo city to buy only BEV buses in the near future jeopardizes current chassis manufacturers business, it boos the development of BEV chassis and allow exports to other countries. Mercedes runs against the clock to compete with players like BYD and Higher with BEV chassis already developed.   PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director-Business Development South America for Power Systems Research

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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2023-10-23

E-Motorcycle Product Report

Motorcycle purists either love them or hate them, but electric motorcycles are fast becoming a popular reality.  From daily commuters to off-roading to track racing, we’ve seen all kinds of electric bikes hit the road over the past couple of years. There’s an increasing array of e-bikes catering to riders of all shapes, sizes, and kinds coming to market.

Here is a small sample of some of the leading OEMs and their electric motorcycle products.

Can-AM/BRP. The first Can‑Am motorcycles are expected to hit the road before the end of 2024. The Canadian Can-AM team is testing bikes in all possible usage conditions, and early feedback from test riders is that two new models deliver a powerful and smooth riding experience. The models include the Can-Am Origin dual-sport and Can-Am Pulse street bike, both slated to launch in mid-2024. Both models are still undergoing testing while construction is underway for a new plant in Querétaro, Mexico, which will produce the electric bikes.

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Global Economy Seeing Modest Growth with Positive Outlook

GLOBAL REPORT
Jim Downey

SUMMARY. Many factors are pointing to modest growth in Q3 2023. This should lead to total production globally growing at +2.4% in 2023 vs 2022 (it was 2.6% in Q2 2023), and the outlook for the next few years remains positive with growth accelerating from 2025.  Apart from Russia and Ukraine, the main countries to show a decline are South Korea, Slovakia, Netherlands. However, the segment picture shows some differences.

Several drivers are influencing the global economic picture.

  • Fuel prices eased earlier this year, recently they have grown slightly and are no longer showing signs of easing. This remains a serious issue.
  • Supply chains remain constrained and show no signs of improving.
  • The war in Ukraine shows no sign of a speedy conclusion, despite recent successes by Ukraine.
  • Ukrainian exports of wheat, other grains and fertilizer have declined massively following Russia’s ending on the Grain Deal. Alternative routes (overland, and via the Danube) simply don’t have the necessary capacity.
  • Inflation is easing, but it continues to be a major concern for central banks as they consider raising their interest rates. This will pose a risk to economic growth in all regions. Inflation and price increases are putting OEMs in a difficult situation.
  • Risk of recession continues in the background for several countries, notably China, USA and Germany, and this could drag other countries into recession.
  • Covid is still lingering with global deaths now at over 6.9 million, and a new variant has the medical world concerned.
  • Latent demand for machinery keeps building, which is a positive sign.
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