Markets Spotlight
Opportunities may exist for U.S. firms in the charging sector related to electrical vehicles as well in sales of electric vehicles (cars and motorcycles).
Electric and hybrid vehicles represent an important part of the Italian market, albeit at a reduced pace compared to the last few years. The share of pure electric and plug-in vehicles in the Italian market, 8.6% in 2022 (9.3% in 2021), is comparable to Spain (9.6%), but far from France (21.6%), the UK (22.8%) and Germany (31.4%). In numbers this means over 113,000 vehicles sold in Italy (a little over 49,000 pure electric - and a little over 64,000 plug-in). The electric vehicles market seems to be in a consolidating phase, which could receive a new boost from improved charging infrastructures and additional incentives.
Sector associations such as Unrae (association of the foreign manufacturers in Italy) and market experts both recommend that any incentive plan should be specifically framed to help low-income buyers to get access to electrified vehicles, as these consumers often use the oldest and more polluting endothermic vehicles.
Industry experts also suggest that the development of charging infrastructures should include fueling hydrogen-powered vehicles (currently very scarce in Italy), and that the development of a new tax structure should link tax incentives to CO2 emissions for hydrogen-powered vehicles to support companies purchases.
Stellantis, the group formed by the French PSA and the Italian American FCA, leads the low emissions vehicles sales with its models, e.g., Jeep Compass 4xe, Renegade 4xe and the electric 500, which is the leader among the ‘pure electric’ models. However, a model such as the future Tesla Model 2is expected to be sold at around $25,000, and would probably be ideal to expand the sales of U.S. electric models. Learn More
Flagship Trade Mission
 This mission is the largest U.S. Government organized trade mission and business development forum. Trade Winds 2024 will be in Istanbul, Türkiye and include daily conferences, business-to-government meetings with diplomats from 26 European and Eurasian countries, and plenty of networking receptions. Qualified U.S. businesses may customize their experience with optional business-to-business matchmaking meetings with pre-screened buyers, agents, distributors or joint-venture partners in Italy and Romania (May 10), Türkiye (May 15), and Denmark, Kazakhstan and Poland (May 17). Apply Here
Trade Missions
 The U.S. Environmental Technologies Trade Mission to the IFAT show in Munich, Germany will promote U.S. exports in a range of environmental technology industries, including water and wastewater management, solid waste management and recycling, and air pollution monitoring and control. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to IFAT individually, will enhance the participants’ ability to secure key business and government meetings. The trade mission will start on May 8-10, 2024 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, followed by programing at IFAT on May 13-15, 2024, in Germany. Apply Here
Virtual Events
Doing Business in Denmark & Italy
February 14, 2024 I 11:30AM ET - Online
The Italian and Danish Markets offer a great complimentary strategy for covering the heart of Europe while providing a gateway to the Nordic region. Learn about business opportunities in these markets by attending this webinar.
Register Here
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INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico - Automotive Aftermarket Webinar
February 21, 2024 I 2:00PM ET - Online
The USMCA requirements for the automotive industry are likely to facilitate U.S. exports to local OEMs and suppliers in Mexico. Join this free webinar to learn about the automotive aftermarket sector in Mexico and business opportunities for U.S. automotive aftermarket manufacturers and distributors. Register Here
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Complying with U.S. Export Controls
Feb. 27 - Mar. 1, 2024 I 12:00-3:00PM ET - Online
Learn directly from the Bureau of Industry and Security (enforcement export agency) on how to comply with EAR regulations on export licenses and sanctions to prevent hefty penalties (CLE credits for attorneys). Register Here
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Grow Your Sales Through Trade
February 27, 2024 I 1:00PM ET - Online
Selling internationally can help protect your bottom line from flows of one domestic market, while granting you access to more buyers. Learn about access to markets, access to grants, and access to capital to help your business enter the global marketplace. Register Here
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Opportunities in the Naval and Maritime Industries in Brazil
February 29, 2024 I 1:00PM ET - Online
The U.S. Commercial Service is pleased to present on upcoming projects and opportunities in shipbuilding and waterway transportation in Brazil, as a way to raise awareness of the potential for businesses and collaboration with U.S. suppliers in these industries. Register Here
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In Person Events
STOP Fakes Roadshow - Business Essentials: Protecting Intellectual Property
Participants will receive information on a range of topics, including identifying and protecting the various intellectual property assets; mechanisms for obtaining IP protection in overseas markets; strategies for determining where to seek protection; and the value of copyright and trade secrets protection to their businesses. Presentations will also address how to combat counterfeits on international e-commerce sites and what additional government resources are available to help U.S. business bolster intellectual property protections.
Jackson, Mississippi on March 19 – Participation is $60 and includes lunch.
Learn More
Miami, Florida on March 21 – Participation is $125 and includes lunch.
Learn More
Des Moines, Iowa on April 11 – Participation is $55 and includes lunch.
Learn More
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Trade Leads
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The U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria has been contacted by ETS Jinga in Yaounde, Nigeria to seek U.S. suppliers of spare parts, used cars and engine oil for resale purpose. For more information, please contact Chamberlain.Eke@trade.gov.
- The U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico has been contacted by a Charge Point Operator seeking U.S. EVs suppliers and partners to build charging stations in Jalisco. As a USMCA partner, Mexico presents promising opportunities for developing charging stations. For more information, please contact Monica.Martinez@trade.gov.
- The U.S. Commercial Service Brazil has been contacted by the Brazilian Urban Train Company in Brasilia, Brazil for U.S. suppliers of 3,000 tons of TR-45 rails. For more information, please contact Fabiola.Rios@trade.gov.
- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has public tenders for supply of low-floor trolley buses, spare parts and diagnostic equipment. For more information, please contact Dennis.Simmons@trade.gov & Chrystal.Denys@trade.gov.
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The World Bank and United Nations Development Program, among other international entities, have public tenders related to the automotive and transportation industries. For more information please contact Barbara.White@trade.gov & Susan.Hettleman@trade.gov and review the following links:
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Reach out to us to learn about other trade leads, global business opportunities and international RFPs in multiple markets.
Announcements
- Saudi Arabia’s standard specifying the technical requirements for light and heavy duty tow truck equipment - Learn More
- January 30 press release, USTR Releases 2023 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy - Learn More
- U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Upcoming Entry into Force of the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement - Learn More
Resources
Training Resources
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Exporting Podcast Series - This is a free on-demand audio training produced by the globalEDGE program from Michigan State University and the U.S. Commercial Service. The modules cover much of the material presented in our Basic Guide to Exporting e-book.
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Export-U Webinar Series - This is a free on-demand video training produced by the Georgia District Export Council and the U.S. Commercial Service. The modules cover much of the material presented in our Basic Guide to Exporting e-book.
Market Research Resources
Intellectual Property Resources
Financial Resources
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CHIPS and Science Act - notice of funding for U.S. companies in the semiconductor supply chain sector. The first phase of the application process starts on December 1, 2023, and closes on February 1, 2024. Learn More
CHIPS and Science Act - notice of funding for U.S. companies in the commercial fabrication of semiconductors. Full applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning October 23, 2023. Learn More
- U.S. Department of Energy Notice - $59 million fund for affordable clean-hydrogen technologies under its Hydrogen Program Plan.
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