Latest news with #HEVs
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
South Korean battery firms' market share drops in Jan-June
South Korean battery makers saw their combined global market share decline in the first half from a year ago despite an overall growth in global electric vehicle (EV) battery usage, data showed on Monday. According to energy market tracker SNE Research, global battery usage in EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) totalled 504.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) during the January-June period, up 37.3 percent from the same period last year, reports Yonhap news agency. The combined market share of LG Energy Solution Ltd., SK On Co. and Samsung SDI Co. dropped by 5.4 percentage points from a year earlier to 16.4 percent for the January-June period. LG Energy Solution maintained its No. 3 position, with 47.2 GWh of batteries used, which marks a 4.4 percent on-year increase and 9.4 percent of the global market. SK On ranked fifth with 19.6 GWh, recording a 10.7 percent increase, accounting for 3.9 percent of the global market. In contrast, Samsung SDI saw its battery usage decline 8 percent to 16 GWh, with its market share falling from 4.7 percent to 3.2 percent. The drop was largely attributed to weakened battery demand from Europe and North America. Chinese battery makers, meanwhile, continued to expand their market share backed by strong price competitiveness. China's CATL retained its global leader position, with 190.9 GWh in battery usage and a 37.9 percent market share. SNE Research noted that the global battery market is undergoing rapid supply chain restructuring and increasing regulatory pressure in the U.S. and Europe, and urged industry players to bolster technological strength and flexible sourcing strategies. Recently, South Korea's three major battery makers on Wednesday showcased their new battery solutions at InterBattery 2025, the country's premier battery industry exhibition, as they prepare for the upcoming era of electric vehicles (EVs) after the current slowdown. LG Energy Solution Ltd. (LGES), the country's biggest battery firm, unveiled its new lineup of 46-millimeter diameter, cylindrical EV battery cells at the three-day exhibition that lasts through Friday in southern Seoul. Of the new lineup, the 4680 cylindrical model, measuring 80mm in length, is expected to steal the spotlight as U.S. EV maker Tesla Inc. announced in 2020 that it would use the product in its future vehicles. -IANS na/
Bangkok Post
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Online presence a boon for used car market
While the domestic car market remains wobbly, used car sales in certain segments are expected to recover, driven by stronger demand. Both new and used car markets were predicted to remain sluggish this year due to banks and car financing companies' strict lending criteria to avoid non-performing loans amid elevated levels of household debt. But in the used car market, sales of European car and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) segments increased, said Pinyo Tanawatcharaporn, owner of used car company Yo Ratchada and a former president of the Association of Used Car Dealers. Sellers of used cars are benefiting from improving market conditions, which are attracting more buyers with limited budgets seeking convenience for purchases. RISING DEMAND Purchases of used cars in the European car and HEV categories are expected to increase, which is projected to raise prices by 10-15% in the second half of this year, said Asadavut Asasappakij, vice-chairman of King of Auto Products Co, the organiser of Fast Auto Show Thailand, an annual five-day car event held in early July. Demand for premium European cars and HEVs is increasing because their prices are affordable, he said. These vehicles offer good value and their features match the preferences of buyers, said Mr Asadavut. "Used cars help people save money. Their value depreciates at a slower rate than that of a new car, making them a more stable investment in the long term," he said. European cars are well-known for their high performance and comfort levels, while HEVs are eco-friendly vehicles that are becoming increasingly popular among buyers, said Mr Asadavut. An HEV uses both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery. The electric motor operates while the car is running at a slow speed, which helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions. HEVs feature a generative braking feature that reduces the amount of energy wasted as heat and uses this kinetic energy to recharge the battery. Japanese car brands dominate the used car market, with a variety of car types including ICEs and HEVs to choose from, said Mr Pinyo. Japanese brands such as Toyota and Honda maintain a strong presence in the used car market due to their reliability, affordability and established service networks, he said. "As for the European brands, BWM and Mercedes-Benz are popular," said Mr Pinyo. LENDING HURDLES The process of securing an auto loan continues to be a major hindrance for prospective buyers in the new and used car markets, as the rate of household debt in the country remains high. Though household debt fell for five consecutive quarters as of July to 87.4% of GDP, the level still concerns lenders. The drop reflects weaker loan demand as well as stricter lending standards imposed by financial institutions, according to the Bank of Thailand. Loan applicants for a used car are more likely to be approved than applicants to buy a new vehicle, said Mr Asadavut. Some used car dealers even offer to bear part of the interest payment to obtain approvals from car financing companies, though this assistance is on a case-by-case basis, he said. However, the supply of used cars in good condition, especially those in the HEV and European car categories, is limited amid significant demand, said Mr Asadavut. In other categories such as used battery EVs (BEVs), demand is weak. "Used BEV sales are middling because of prices and concerns over battery life and high maintenance costs," said Mr Pinyo. Many potential buyers are reluctant to purchase used BEVs because they are unsure whether the prices of new BEVs will decline as fierce competition weeds out market losers, he said. In Thailand, sales of new BEVs are expected to reach 100,000 units this year, exceeding the target of 80,000 units, thanks to attractive prices and sales promotions, said Surapong Paisitpatanapong, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and spokesman for its Automotive Industry Club. During the first half of this year, domestic sales of BEVs soared 61% year-on-year to 54,084, representing an 18% market share in the passenger car category. GREATER CONVENIENCE The used car market has the potential to attract more prospective buyers if purchases are facilitated, said Mr Pinyo. Like other products sold on online shopping platforms, used cars are following suit as new marketplaces develop. "Used car dealers are moving to online sales, hoping to drive more consumer demand by offering more convenient services," he said. The online used car market offers a wider selection of vehicles than visits to premises. Prospective buyers can compare prices more easily and gain access to processes such as "at-home trade-ins" and delivery services, said Mr Pinyo. Both new and established players in the industry have adopted digital technologies, helping to drive the trend, he said. "Traditional dealerships and original equipment manufacturers are adapting by developing their own online platforms and digital strategies," said Mr Pinyo. "Even wholesale used car auctions have moved online." With features to help buyers find the best deals, more people unable to afford new cars are expected to consider used cars as an alternative, he said.
Bangkok Post
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Tax shift props up the auto industry
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said during a recent conference that the government should impose a high excise tax on imported electric vehicles (EVs) that use a low proportion of local content. Thailand's free trade agreements (FTAs) with some countries have resulted in a 0% import tariff on EVs, which hampers the domestic auto industry. Thaksin said imported EVs should be required to use a minimum level of local content, such as car seats, to protect the domestic industry. Thailand signed an FTA with China primarily using the Asean-China FTA framework around 20 years ago, setting zero tariffs on imports, including EVs. Following the speech, the Excise Department is preparing to adjust the excise tax structure for vehicles, linking it to the use of local content. Imported EVs with a high proportion of domestically manufactured components will, in principle, be eligible for a lower excise tax rate than those with a smaller proportion of local content. Fully imported vehicles or completely built-up units would be subject to higher excise taxes. According to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, the goal is to support the domestic auto parts industry by encouraging the automotive sector to increase the use of domestically manufactured parts via tax incentives. However, pundits say it is likely such attempts partially stem from ongoing US tariff threats.  Will lower import tariffs give American cars a competitive edge? Thailand's automotive industry is unlikely to be affected by the reduction of import tariffs as American vehicles do not have any advantages over cars produced in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, in terms of parts prices, quality, or the speed of model updates, said Sompop Manarungsan, an analyst on the Chinese and American economies. Chinese and Japanese automakers tend to update models faster, responding to consumer demand more effectively than US automakers, he said. Mr Sompop said American cars have always struggled to penetrate foreign markets, even when import tariffs were low. For example, in Japan American cars have a limited market share due to these reasons. The global automotive industry is also transitioning towards EVs. In the US, Tesla is the only major EV manufacturer as the first administration of US President Donald Trump ended policies promoting EVs, hindering the development of the country's EV industry. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia's auto industry, particularly Thailand, is increasingly shifting to EVs. As well as being more affordable, there is a wider range of attractive models and they are more energy-efficient than cars powered by internal combustion engines (ICE), said Mr Sompop. From 2022 to 2024, the popularity of battery EVs (BEVs), plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) and hybrid EVs (HEVs) in Thailand surged. EV registrations rose from 84,500 units in 2022 to 206,000 units in 2024. During that period, 644 projects applied to the Board of Investment (BoI) for investment promotion for EV production and parts, with a combined investment value exceeding 280 billion baht. In the first half of 2025, 57,289 new BEV passenger cars were registered in Thailand, a 52% increase year-on-year, accounting for more than 15% of all new car registrations, the highest proportion in the region. Thailand has more than 203,000 registered BEV passenger cars, 71,900 electric motorcycles, 3,800 electric buses and trucks, and 1,000 electric three-wheelers.  What is the state of the EV market in Thailand? Many Chinese EV brands built manufacturing plants in Thailand, including battery factories. However, intense price competition forced some EV brands out of the market, requiring them to return government incentives, such as EV purchase subsidies of up to 150,000 baht per car and excise tax reductions, in addition to tax penalties. Due to this fierce competition, the National EV Policy Committee, also known as the EV Board, was compelled to adjust the production-to-import compensation measures to prevent an EV glut in the domestic market. The board last week eased production requirements for EV manufacturers participating in EV incentive schemes if they produce BEVs for export, in an effort to promote Thailand as an EV export base. The two schemes -- EV3.0 and EV3.5 -- require manufacturers to produce EVs locally to compensate for imported vehicles since the start of the schemes in 2022 prior to commencing local production. These production requirements have become an uphill task for companies as the domestic market stagnates. Under EV3.0, companies that started producing BEVs in 2024 are committed to a 1:1 ratio target, meaning they must produce one BEV domestically for every EV they import. If commencing production in 2025, the ratio is set at 1.5 locally produced BEV for each imported BEV. The ratios are set at 1:2 and 1:3 for manufacturers under the EV3.5 programme, which is aimed at propelling EV industry growth between 2024 and 2027. This approach, proposed by the Federation of Thai Industries, is expected to increase the number of EV exports to roughly 12,500 units this year and 52,000 units in 2026.  What is the goal of the tax promotion measures for EVs? Thailand clearly wants to shift from being a leading producer of ICE-powered vehicles -- ranked 10th globally in 2023 -- to production of EVs. To support this transition, the Excise Department designed tax measures to attract automakers to establish EV production bases in here, especially for EV components, such as inverters, which convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC); batteries; battery management systems, which monitor and control the battery system to ensure safety, performance and lifespan; and drive control units, which manage the propulsion of electric motors by processing inputs from the accelerator, steering, and braking systems and sending commands to the inverter. A source from the Excise Department who requested anonymity said after the EV promotion measures expire in 2025, the department plans to implement tax measures to make Thailand a production base for EVs, particularly for the manufacturing of key components. To qualify for a 2% excise tax rate, manufacturers must use domestically produced parts as specified. If they do not use the required locally produced components, the excise tax rate will be 10%, said the source. The requirement to use locally made components will be implemented in stages, noted the source. Starting in 2026, automakers wishing to benefit from the lower tax rate must use batteries manufactured within the country, whether at the cell, module or pack level. All EV manufacturers with facilities in Thailand are capable of producing batteries at the pack level. By 2030, automakers must use inverters manufactured domestically to qualify for the lower excise tax rate. However, if a car manufacturer invests in a battery cell production facility, it is not required to invest in an inverter production plant. By 2035, manufacturers are required to invest in the production of battery management systems and drive control units. As for fully imported vehicles from China that avoid import tariffs under the Asean-China FTA, the Excise Department plans to coordinate with the BoI for the latter to issue support measures for EVs that use local content, according to the source, meaning imported EVs meeting the specified proportion of local content will be eligible for a lower excise tax rate. Investment promotion for EV production, key components, charging stations, and battery swapping stations tallied a cumulative value of 138 billion baht, including: 21 BEV manufacturing projects with a total investment of 41 billion baht and a combined production capacity of 386,000 units per year; 16 electric motorcycle manufacturing projects with a total investment of 990 million baht and a combined production capacity of 810,000 units per year; and three electric bus and truck manufacturing projects with a total investment of 2.20 billion baht and a combined production capacity of 4,800 units per year. For battery manufacturing plants, there were 53 projects with a total investment of 80.1 billion baht. Production of other key components such as traction motors, battery management systems, drive control units, and on-board chargers tallied 42 projects with a total investment of 6.52 billion baht. EV charging stations garnered 29 projects with a total investment of 5.56 billion baht to install 20,080 charging points, including 7,360 quick-charge points. There were five battery swapping station projects with a total investment of 1.28 billion baht, comprising 555 stations for motorcycles, seven stations for large commercial vehicles, and six stations for passenger cars. As of March 2025, there were 3,720 public EV charging stations with 11,622 charging points nationwide. These consist of 6,524 DC (fast) chargers and 5,098 AC chargers, with coverage across all regions of the country. Government support for the transition from ICE vehicles to EVs included an excise tax reduction for hybrid vehicles that emit no more than 100 grammes per kilogramme of CO2 to 6% for seven years. Tax incentives were also revised for PHEVs, which can be developed into EVs in the future. The previous qualification for the 5% excise tax rate had two conditions: an electric range of at least 80 kilometres per full charge and a fuel tank capacity not exceeding 45 litres.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toshiba launches automotive digital isolators for EVs
Toshiba Electronics Europe has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of a series of two-channel, high-speed digital isolators designed to enhance the safety and reliability of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). These AEC-Q100 qualified devices are part of the DCM32xx00 series and offer high common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) for stable operation. The new digital isolators from Toshiba are engineered to support data transmission rates of up to 50Mbps and boast an impressive CMTI of 100kV/µs (typ.). This makes them particularly suitable for critical automotive systems like on-board chargers (OBC) and battery management systems (BMS), which are essential components of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). Utilising Toshiba's proprietary magnetic coupling technology, the DCM32xx00 series ensures a high CMTI at supply voltages ranging from 3.0V to 5.0V, with a common-mode voltage (VCM) of 1500V. This feature helps the devices to resist common-mode electrical noise, thus maintaining stable control signals for reliable operation of the vehicle's equipment. The two-channel isolators provide flexible configuration options and are designed to meet the requirements of high-speed communication applications, such as I/O interfaces with control area network (CAN) communications. They offer low pulse-width distortion and are housed in a narrow 8-pin SOIC8-N package, ensuring stable performance in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +125°C. Toshiba has also introduced a new series of four-channel high-speed standard digital isolators, the DCM34xx01 Series, in February. These devices also feature a CMTI of 100kV/μs (typ.) and support data rates of up to 50Mbps, further demonstrating Toshiba's commitment to the automotive sector. Furthermore, Toshiba began offering engineering samples of its TB9084FTG, a MOSFET gate driver IC, in November last year. This component is designed for three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motors, which are increasingly preferred by automotive OEMs for their quiet operation and longevity in applications such as powered doors and adjustable seating. "Toshiba launches automotive digital isolators for EVs" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
KGM plans to boost EV line-up in collaboration with Chery
KG Mobility (KGM, formerly SsangYong) has announced that it plans to introduce seven new models by 2030, as the South Korean automaker looks to strengthen its line-up of electrified vehicles for global markets. KGM's chairman, Kwak Jae-sun, outlined the company's ambitious future product plans at the 'KGM Forward' conference held at its headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Kwak Jae-sun confirmed that KGM plans to expand its line-up of SUVs and MPVs to meet global demand, adding that the company will step up its collaboration with global partners to secure technologies to produce extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), strengthening its existing portfolio of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Last year KGM, formerly known as Ssangyong Motor, signed a strategic partnership agreement with China's Chery Automobile Company, involving platform licensing and technology sharing aimed at helping it strengthen its range of electrified vehicles. KGM confirmed that it is developing a new medium-to-large SUV range, the SE10, in collaboration with Chery which is scheduled to go into production next year. This will be followed by the KR10, the successor to the current Korando SUV, and a passenger minibus/MPV and cargo van range. In the meantime, KGM plans to launch the Action Hybrid In the second half of this year. Kwak Jung-hyun, the head of KGM's Business Strategy Division, pointed out that the 'domestic MPV market is expected to see increased demand for care for school-age children and parents, as well as leisure activities, but there aren't many models accessible to consumers. We will launch a new MPV to expand consumer choices in the growing minivan market.' "KGM plans to boost EV line-up in collaboration with Chery" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
