Two years’ ago, in 2022, when the PEI Mobility brand was first created, it announced it was diversifying its manufacturing capabilities to design and manufacture complete articulation systems for buses.

The company announced that, given ongoing market pressures and the high cost of transitioning to electric vehicles, as well as a slower-than-anticipated development of the market for autonomous shuttles, it could no longer justify the high upfront investments required to further develop its autonomous shuttle.

The new facility is scheduled to be completed in 2028 within the company’s Hwaseong manufacturing complex.

On the stand BAE Systems displayed its current family of motors and inverters; these included the GPM-10 and GPM-12 direct drive motors alongside a GPM-5 motor with an Eaton MD4 (Medium-Duty 4-speed) gearbox, as well as the MAPS*, MPCS**, and GPI-10 inverters.

"Ashok Leyland’s mission to achieve Net Zero by year 2048 is one of the triggers to set up this plant in Uttar Pradesh."

Giorgio Zino is set to lead commercial operations in Europe, Danilo Fetzner in Latin America, Gauthier Ricord in Africa and the Middle East and Marco Franza in the Asia Pacific. Stéphane Espinasse has been appointed to lead Sales and Market Development of global operations.

The company cut 150 jobs in the U.S. and Canada amid financial pressure as it seeks profitability. The cuts came in the manufacturing and administrative segments of the business.

Representing an approximate investment of USD600m, the new facility will be developed along “vertical production” principles a la Tesla, meaning that battery and vehicle assembly will take place at the same location.

The market for electric vehicles in North America is currently a very crowded one. In the wake of two crucial U.S. government bills – the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) and the Inflation Reduction Act (2022) – established OEMs and startups are enjoying a boost in interest as grants and tax incentives support the expansion of EV manufacturing, sales, and charging/fuelling infrastructure.

In the Dutch city of Eindhoven, there remains one of those odd survivals of the former industrial age, now largely superseded by the digital revolution: the privately owned diversified manufacturing company, VDL Groep. Founded by Pieter van der Leegte in 1953, it now comprises more than 100 companies operating in 19 countries, overseen by Willem van der Leegte, who represents the third generation of the VDL family.

T&BB decided to have a closer look at the world’s 4th biggest tyre manufacturer as it looks to expand its global presence through fleet digitalisation, product range and aftermarket services in the context of the impending Euro VII regulation.

Post pandemic, BAE Systems increasing its efforts to add more transit bus customers to its client portfolio but also new customers in truck, marine and military. Tom Webb, Director Business Development at BAE Systems explains the company's approach to market.