London, 16 June, 2023, (Oilandgaspress) : US passenger electric vehicle* (EV) sales soared over 79% YoY in Q1 2023, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s USA Passenger Electric Vehicle Model Sales Tracker. This strong growth helped the US surpass Germany to become the world’s second-largest EV market, the largest being China. Battery EVs (BEV) accounted for 81% of all passenger EV sales in the US while plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) made up the rest. In Q1 2023, Tesla’s sales outperformed the combined sales of the next 18 automotive groups, which collectively represent 34 automotive brands.
Stellantis Ventures to support Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan Spectre
Stellantis Ventures, the corporate venture fund of Stellantis N.V., has been formed to support and amplify the execution of Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. Ten startup companies and one mobility venture fund have been considered so far as its first key investments. Three of the projects backed by Stellantis Ventures are launching this year, validating the fund’s mission to accelerate deployment of innovative, customer-centric mobility technologies and support Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 efforts in leading the change to a more sustainable mobility and better in-vehicle experience for all customers.
“Transforming Stellantis into a mobility tech company means we need to have the mindset of a startup, focused on our customers and working with a dash of impatience,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Technology Officer. “We are using the strength of Stellantis Ventures to connect with companies that are developing cutting-edge technology that we believe can transform the in-cabin experience and improve the mobility sector, for our customers and for society as a whole.”
Investments support the Dare Forward 2030 strategy and are aligned to the three core pillars: Care, Tech and Value. Read More
Citroën celebrates the 20th anniversary of the C3 Pluriel – the only one of its kind. Launched in May 2003, just one year after the C3, this small three-door hatchback was produced in 115,097 units at the Villaverde plant between 2003 and 2010.
The C3 Pluriel is a unique car that came in a number of different versions and incorporated many of the mechanical components of the C3, without compromising on comfort or safety. The vehicle was reinforced with special parts to ensure that its passengers were as safe as they would have been in a closed car. It also featured a number of driving aids, such as ABS and emergency braking. Inside, it had all the comfort of a saloon, with four seats and sophisticated acoustic and thermal insulation, all in a highly original vehicle. With its wide windscreen and generously proportioned windows, the C3 Pluriel offered a panoramic view in all its versions. And the open headrests made for excellent visibility, while at the same time contributing to the car’s original design.
With this new vehicle, Citroën was showcasing its penchant for innovation. The C3 Pluriel was voted Convertible of the Year in 2003, the year of its launch. This award did even more to set the C3 Pluriel apart from the competition: the Convertible of the Year was also a saloon. Read More
Panda 4×4 celebrates 40 years of success
FIAT Panda 4×4, since its launch in 1983, has always embodied a revolution for the industry, immediately becoming a legend in the making. To celebrate its 40th birthday, FIAT has decided to launch a new special limited edition called ‘4×40°’.
A collector’s edition, which will be produced in 1,983 exclusive units in honor of the year the FIAT icon was born. The new version will continue to be devoted to those who want to move safely on dirt and snow-covered roads, driving a reliable and comfortable car, even though its size and fuel consumption are limited. Consistency it’s the keyword here. Remaining a top of the range unique limited 4×4, the new version will be inspired by its iconic legacy, 40 years of undisputed commercial success that endures and shows no sign of decreasing: almost 800,000 units of Panda 4×4 sold from 1983 and old leader in 4×4 A-segment with 10% historical sales mix. Read More
IONIQ 6 Named Favorite Plug-In Vehicle
Hyundai’s award-winning, all-electric IONIQ 6 has been named Favorite Plug-In Vehicle by the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) at the organization’s recent Spring Rally event in Elkhart Lake, WI. The IONIQ 6 stood out for its eye-catching design, intuitive connectivity features and interior spaciousness. Over 100 vehicles were evaluated at the drive program by MAMA members. “The IONIQ 6 continues to impress with its appealing exterior and interior design features,” said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. “We appreciate the recognition by MAMA in helping educate new and current consumers on EV technologies and the Hyundai IONIQ 6 voted as a favorite among competitors.” Read More
Hyundai Motor Group holds Open Innovation Tech Day
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) held an Open Innovation Tech Day event in Seoul today during which the Group announced its coexisting and future strategies with participants within the global startup ecosystem and shared the results of its open innovation initiatives to date.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to secure future innovative growth engines by establishing cooperative relationships with various select startups around the world, while continuing to support and nurture their global advancement.
The Group announced that it has invested KRW 1.3 trillion in more than 200 startups since 2017 up until the first quarter of 2023, when it began strengthening its open innovation activities. These investment numbers exclude major investments, such as Boston Dynamics, Motional, and Supernal.
The Group has invested in numerous business areas, including electrification, connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, renewables, robotics, and mobility services. By segment, mobility services recorded around KRW 700 billion investment in projects, including mobility service companies such as Grab in Singapore and OLA in India. Electrification and connectivity followed with KRW 280 billion and KRW 126 billion, respectively. The Group has also invested KRW 60 billion in AI, 54 billion in autonomous driving, and 25 billion in energy, including hydrogen. Read More
Saab’s Arexis selected for German Eurofighter
Germany’s defence procurement office (BAAINBw) has selected Saab’s Arexis sensor suite as the preferred solution for the German Eurofighter Electronic Warfare (EW) variant. At this point, Saab has not yet signed a contract nor received an order relating to this. Last year, German officials stated the intention to enable 15 of the German Air Force’s Eurofighters for EW missions. Proceeding with Saab’s Arexis follows the result of a market survey recently conducted by BAAINBw which assessed the products of European and international EW providers, considering aspects such as performance, integration and route to certification. “We welcome this decision and look forward to proceeding with the next steps. Arexis is the perfect match for Germany’s electronic warfare requirements for the Eurofighter” says Anders Sjöberg, head of Saab Germany. Saab’s offer states that the company would carry out a major part of the work at its site in Bavaria, Germany, together with its artificial intelligence partner Helsing. Saab’s modular EW solution Arexis makes use of advanced hardware and software including high-end AI algorithms to remain superior in complex electromagnetic environments Read More
Saab announces its modular, secure and quick-to-deploy digital tower (r-TWR) for flexible, air traffic control missions, with industry partner Conlog Oy.
At a time when threats to permanent airbases are increasingly realistic, air forces are looking to expeditionary or remote air operations to provide resilience. To answer this, Saab presents r-TWR Deployable; a deployable, digital tower that provides high availability, mission-to-mission modularity and flexibility. It is mission ready within an hour and can be operated remotely from a secure location at a base or connected to a centralised facility hundreds of miles away, keeping military personnel safe. Some of these features can also serve a purpose for international aid missions for the rapid deployment of such infrastructure into a country damaged by natural disasters.
The r-TWR Deployable includes everything needed for air traffic management at an established or temporary landing strip and can be rapidly transported by road or rail on one or two standardised trailers, or in a cargo aircraft of C-130 Hercules size.
“We can already in 2023 offer a deployable digital tower for military and disaster relief missions to meet today’s needs, where speed can be key. Our experience from air traffic management and defence solutions gives us the expertise needed to create the new capability we call r-TWR Deployable,” says Peter Engberg, head of Saab’s business unit Traffic Management. Juha Moisio, CEO Conlog Oy, says: “We are extremely delighted to be able to work with Saab and to provide our highly mobile and durable expandable shelters and our newest mast hydraulic mast system to be the base of this most interesting system. With our experience in the most demanding conditions, we can provide solutions for varying conditions.” The r-TWR Deployable can be integrated with various Saab capabilities depending on customer needs. This includes TactiCall Voice Communication System for safe and cyber secure communications, Giraffe 1X lightweight multi-mission surveillance radar with Drone Tracker capability, Sirius Compact passive surveillance for tactical applications and Barracuda camouflage for a reduced multispectral signature. Read More
Lamborghini opens first dealership in Norway
Automobili Lamborghini boosts its presence in the North of Europe with the opening of its first showroom in Norway. The grand opening of Lamborghini Oslo saw the local premiere of the marque’s first V12 super sports hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) in front of a select group of guests. Attending the event from Automobili Lamborghini was Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Federico Foschini, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer together with dealership representative Nils Tronrud, Chairman of XPND Group and Lamborghini Oslo. The opening event vibrated to the rhythm of a special show prepared by the famous Norwegian band Kickslip and DJ Boge. It was also the opportunity for the local artist Nicolay Aamodt to present the one-off special painting celebrating Automobili Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary, inspired by the design and colors of the marque’s most iconic models. The 150 guests had the opportunity to discover the current line-up of super sport cars, including the Huracan Sterrato that most recently had its dynamic launch in Chuckwalla, USA. A celebration of Automobili Lamborghini’s past and future was presented in the 390 square meters showroom: the Lamborghini Miura formerly owned by Frank Sinatra, which was specially recognized at the concours celebrating the 50th anniversary of Lamborghini in 2013, was presented together with the new Lamborghini Revuelto[ Read More
Vestas secures 139 MW repowering order from Vitol in the USA
Vestas has received a 139 MW order to repower a project owned by Vitol in Pennsylvania, USA. The order consists of 68 V110-2.0 MW wind turbines delivered in 2.05 MW operating mode, which will replace the site’s current Senvion MM92-2.05 MW wind turbines.
The order includes supply, delivery, and commissioning of the turbines, as well as a 20-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement, designed to ensure optimised performance of the asset.
“We are pleased to build upon our strong partnership with Vitol to successfully repower wind projects across the US. This project is another example of collaboration between Vestas and Vitol to extend the production lifespan of aging fleets with customised solutions for specific site conditions utilising Vestas’s proven technology,” said Laura Beane, President of Vestas North America.
Andrew de Pass, Head of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Vitol Inc said: “Vitol will continue to invest in renewables across the US. Across all our assets, we believe in optimising performance through investment and improvement. We are pleased to be working with Vestas on another repowering project”.
Turbine delivery begins in the second quarter of 2024 with commissioning scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024. Read More
Hydro joins renewable energy project offshore Malaysia
Hydro has signed a letter of intent with SolarDuck, an offshore floating solar energy technology developer and subsidiaries of the Malaysian electricity utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), namely TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd and TNB Research Sdn Bhd, to collaborate on a project that will advance offshore floating solar energy solutions in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.Hydro will provide engineering support, and will manufacture and deliver the aluminium components used for the 780 kW SolarDuck offshore floating solar plant. The installation off the coast of Tioman Island in Malaysia is scheduled to be concluded in 2025. “Solar energy is part of the necessary shift to renewable energy. Extruded aluminium solutions are the perfect fit for such installations with their light weight and strength, and the fact that they require little or no maintenance,” says Paul Warton, Executive Vice President of Hydro Extrusions.
In 2021, Hydro delivered the aluminium profiles for SolarDuck’s pilot structure. The project with TNB will include deliveries from Hydro extrusion plants in Lichtervelde, Belgium, and Magnor, Norway. Read More
Change in Neste’s Executive Committee
Mercedes Alonso, Executive Vice President of Neste’s Renewable Polymers and Chemicals business unit has decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities, and she will step down by the beginning of the fourth quarter. The search for Alonso’s successor will start without delay. “I warmly thank Mercedes for her great contribution in developing a new business for Neste, and accelerating the company to become a global leader in renewable and circular solutions. Together with her team she has developed a good platform for Renewable Polymers and Chemicals business to continue executing the growth strategy. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” says Neste’s President and CEO Matti Lehmus. Read More
Monthly Electricity Statistics
The latest IEA’s Monthly Electricity Statistics report including March 2023 data shows that for Total OECD:
In the OECD, total net electricity production was 887.8 TWh in March 2023. This represented a decrease of 1.5% compared to March 2022, and a 4.0% decrease comparing the first quarter of 2023 to the same period in 2022. The decrease in the first quarter was driven by lower electricity production from fossil fuel sources (-8.1% y-t-d) and nuclear (-3.1% y-t-d). Electricity from coal-fired plants showed a strong decrease (-17.1% y-t-d), reaching a record low share of 15.9% of electricity mix in March 2023, going beyond the levels observed at the start of the lockdowns in April 2020. Renewable electricity production increased by 1.9% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the first quarter of 2022, with large increase of generation from solar energy (+11.1% y-t-d), followed by wind energy (+4.2% y-t-d). Both sources combined represented more than a quarter of the electricity mix in March 2023 in total OECD. Read More
Wintermar Offshore Public Expose 2023
PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Tbk invested US$3.15 million out of capex plan of US$18 million in 2023, and expects higher demand for OSVs driven by a jump in approved deepwater oil and gas investments and tight OSV supply. During the Public Expose on 16 June 2023, PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Tbk unveiled its strategic plans to enhance fleet composition and profitability, positioning itself to capitalize on the anticipated upturn in the oil and gas industry. The Company expressed a bullish outlook on O&G as a jump in approved investments in deepwater projects is expected to raise the demand for high-value Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) in the coming years. Wintermar aims to ride on the upturn, having added high tier fleet capacity, and stands to benefit from rising charter rates.
In 2021, the Company successfully acquired 2 vessels, followed by an additional 6 vessels in 2022, and acquired 1 more vessel in 2023. Out of the total of 9 vessels, 5 are currently operational. Meanwhile, out of the remaining 4 vessels, it is expected that 2 vessels will start operating in June 2023, 1 vessel to be ready to work in July, leaving only 1 vessel still in the process of reactivation.
Fleet utilization in the first quarter of 2023 was 67%, an increase from 61% in the first quarter of 2022, but still lower compared to the high utilization rate of 82% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in utilization is due to several vessels undergoing a transition after the completion of contracts. Some vessels were undergoing maintenance for preparation of long term contract engagements. Read More
Oil Tankers Avoid Nigeria After Multimillion-Dollar Tax Bill
At least two oil tanker owners are staying away from Nigeria after several companies received backdated tax bills totaling millions of dollars. Multiple businesses received demands from Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service, according to a member notice by industry group Intertanko seen by Bloomberg. They cover the period from 2010 to 2019 and range in amount from $400,000 to $1.1 million per vessel. In aggregate, some claims reach tens of millions of dollars. As a result, at least two shipowners, who asked not to be identified discussing commercial matters, are steering clear of Nigerian ports to avoid the risk of having their ships arrested. Tanker earnings from West Africa to Europe have soared more than 42% in three days so far this week, according to Baltic Exchange data. Read More
| Oil and Gas Blends | Units | Oil Price $ | change |
| Crude Oil (WTI) | USD/bbl | $71.07 | Up |
| Crude Oil (Brent) | USD/bbl | $76.11 | Up |
| Bonny Light | USD/bbl | $73.37 | Down |
| Saharan Blend | USD/bbl | $74.69 | Up |
| Natural Gas | USD/MMBtu | $2.57 | Up |
| OPEC basket 15/06/23 | USD/bbl | $74.20 | Down |
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OilandGasPress Energy Newsbites and Analysis Roundup | Compiled by: OGP Staff, Segun Cole @oilandgaspress.
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