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Australia’s largest biodiesel producer, Australian Biodiesel Group, has announced that it is looking to raise AUD$15.9 million (US$12.4 million) to launch a new business plan after a difficult year in 2006. The money will be via a rights issue at 5c per share which values the company significantly below its current share price.

Changes to the Australian biodiesel market, including biofuels legislation, negatively impacted the company during 2006, which is now positioning itself to expand into North America where it is believed profits will be easy to come by. The biodiesel market has rapidly grown over the last three years in the U.S. on the back of rising oil prices, federal incentives and state based support of biofuels.

Analysis: A crippling drought and federal biodiesel incentives that are being phased out virtually before the industry has established itself in Australia have made it tough on the local producers. Expansion into the booming U.S. market is a good option, but what ABG are really praying for is for the drought to end and oil prices to go back up to last year’s record highs.

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[Source: Egoli]

 

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The world’s second-largest truck company, Volvo AB, has agreed to buy Nissan Diesel Motor Co. for $1.1 billion in a bid to gain a greater foothold in the booming Asian market. Asia has been a weak spot for Volvo thus far, comprising just seven percent of its sales in 2006. By buying Japan’s fourth largest truck producer, Volvo should be able to establish a far more secure position through Nissan’s regional brand name and production capabilities.

Shares were up slightly in Volvo and hugely in Nissan Diesel indicating the market’s largely positive acceptance of the news. The purchase will also give Volvo access to technology Nissan Diesel has developed to reduce engine emissions, a fact that is likely to gain importance as more countries implement stringent clean air legislation. Other synergies are likely to follow with Nissan Diesel having said that it should be able to bring down purchasing costs by as much as 20 percent per annum by joint purchasing parts with Volvo. On the drawing board for the combined companies is a jointly developed diesel-electric hybrid powertrain and research into alternative fuels including ethanol.

Analysis: This type of consolidation is increasingly likely over the coming years as the cost of R&D on next-generation powertrain technologies increases. Good to see plans to bring more diesel-electric hybrid trucks to market.

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[Source: Bloomberg]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Read the rest of this entry »