Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

  EVs, Sourcing and the Inflation Reduction Act, Part 2   By Don Southerton   As a follow-up to my  April 11, 2023 Newsletter , I am sharing those vehicles qualifying for the full EV $7,500 credit as well as those for a partial rebate.   I pointed out before the criteria would eliminate many (most) EVs from a rebate as they are not made or assembled in North America.    Although some EVs may qualify for partial rebates, the batteries must be assembled or produced in the U.S., and 40% percent of the critical minerals must be sourced in America or with a free trade partner. For the latter, the percentage will increase to 50% in 2024, 60% in 2025, 70% in 2026, and 80% after 2026.   Specifically, under the Inflation Reduction Act,  vehicles that use batteries that contain (i) any “applicable critical minerals” that were extracted, processed, or recycled by an FEOC or (ii) any component manufactured or assembled by an FEOC would be ineligible for ...

 Earth Day- Earth Week- Earth Month 2023 By Don Southerton Reflecting on Earth Day, my ties to Green and Sustainability have reached back in time more than a few years. In fact, it parallels my work with Korea. In the mid-2000s, I was an advisor to developing and building the Incheon, South Korea Songdo International Business District. Under the leadership of Green visionary Stan Gale, the city is the global model for urban sustainability.  Envisioned as a Green, high-technology city of the future — at the time, it was one of the world and Korea’s most significant foreign real estate development projects. Built on reclaimed land and with partners like Kohn Pederson Fox, Cisco, and United Technology, the forward-leaning project also showcased some of the first LEED-certified buildings in South Korea and Asia. In conjunction with the Songdo IBD project and my work for Hyundai, around 2007 the Songdo team and I  had the opportunity for a  VIP visit to Hyundai Motor’s R...

For those of us in the Energy, Mobility and EV sector, new Guidelines for U.S. EV Rebates are impacted by American-Made, Limits on Sourcing and Eliminating a Dependence on China. My article shares the facts and my opinions. American-Made, Limits on Sourcing, Eliminating a Dependence on China-- New Guidelines for U.S. EV Rebates  By Don Southerton  April, 2023  The Facts The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is designed first to encourage manufacturers to shift operations to North America.  Secondly, it is designed to boost zero-emissions vehicle sales with a goal that half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 are EVs.  Layer on that, as early as this week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may issue emission control regulations that will affect model years 2027 through 2032 vehicles. They do not ban internal-combustion engines but certainly will encourage EV purchases. These goals also support a separate national security objective: to fre...

  Utah-based Roxberry Juice Company has announced plans to expand its made-to-order smoothie experience outside the United States. On the reboot of the international launch, founder Brad Davis shared, “Roxberry’s strict focus on using only healthy and natural ingredients is again driving our brand’s growth. Like here in America, we’re excited to find the right partners who are interested in the same success.” Roxberry’s Davis has a history of building winning brands as a past partner and executive with Zuka Juice, Rumbi Island Grill, and Blendtec.    Additionally, for 10+ years, he was President of Abundant Brands, a Utah-based restaurant development company, Development Agent for Subway Sandwiches, and the largest franchise partner of Costa Vida Mexican Grill.    Using this experience, Roxberry is his latest vision — believing that consumers are drawn to businesses that follow intelligent trends like nutritious food choices. Roxberry has again partnered with Br...