News: Commercial Vehicles

2024-08-27

Deutz and Rolls Royce Engine Deal Approved

EUROPE REPORT 
Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

DEUTZ and Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division have completed the transaction for DEUTZ to take over the sales and service activities for various Daimler Truck industrial engines. The transaction relates specifically to engines with displacements from 5 to 16 litres and power output of up to 480 kW.

Under the completed transaction, DEUTZ will take over distribution of the MTU Classic model series and the MTU 1000 to 1500 engine series, which are based on three Daimler Truck engine platforms. These engines are used in a range of off-highway applications, mainly in the agricultural machinery and construction equipment sectors.

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Marcopolo Volare Unveils Hybrid Ethanol 1.0 Micro Bus

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT 
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

During Latbus 2024 in São Paulo, Volare unveiled its Attack 9 HVE, Brazil’s pioneering ethanol hybrid minibus. The project is being developed by Volare, a division of the Marcopolo group, in collaboration with Horse and WEG. Although presented in 2024, the official market release is scheduled for 2026.

The vehicle is powered by a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder ethanol engine supplied by Horse, which also functions as an electric generator. This generator supplies energy to recharge the batteries of WEG’s electric drive system. The internal combustion engine operates for only one-third of the vehicle’s total operational time, maintaining an optimal rotational speed of approximately 3,000 rpm.

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2024-08-24

Alternative Power Report, August 2024

Alternative Power Report – Aug 2024Download

The August issue of PSR’s Alternative Power Report includes several articles on battery development, including ones describing news at Tesla. This month’s report also includes news on hydrogen power and the decline in diesel sales. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

2024-07-15

2024 MHCV Production Expected To Decline by 1.6%

GLOBAL REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In 2024, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production in Europe, South Asia and North America is expected to decline modestly while production in China, South America, Japan and Korea is expected to improve over last year.   

Globally, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to decline by 1.6% this year over 2023.  Moving into 2024, much of the focus on demand is centered around slowing global economic conditions that will likely impact overall freight demand. 

North America. Medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to decline by 4.3% this year over 2023 after strong class 8 truck production last year was driven by on-going pent-up demand.  While class 8 demand is expected to decline this year, it will still be at a relatively high level, especially during the first part of the year. 

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Brazil Truck Production Grows Significantly

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT 

Brazil truck production reached almost 64,40 units in the first half of this year, an increase of 36.5% over the same period in 2023

In June, 12,200 trucks were manufactured, a 74.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

Heavy truck sales also grew. In the first six months of this year, 56,800 trucks were sold, an increase of 8%. Last month, 10,000 trucks were sold, a 26.6% increase compared to June 2023.

Source: Automotive Business    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The production growth was expected due to the pre-production effect with P8 introduction in 2023. The good news is the 26% sales increase in June compared to the same period in 2023, which reinforces the confidence in the Truck Market in the region. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development-South America, for Power Systems Research

2024-07-14

Alternative Power Report, July 2024

PSR Alternative Power Report – July 2024Download

Canada is preparing to join the tariff war against Chinese EVs, according to a report in the July 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report prepared by Power Systems Research. Another article in the report notes that even thought EV sales are lagging, they’re positioned for long-term growth. And there’s plenty of battery news in this report prepared by PSR analyst Guy Youngs. PSR

2024-06-18

Diesel Demand Hits 26-Year Low

US diesel demand plummeted to its lowest seasonal level in 26 years in Q1 2024. The production of distillate, the petroleum-based fuel that powers trucking, heating, and heavy industry, plunged to 3.67 million barrels per day in March (down from more 4.1 million barrels last year) according to monthly data from the US Energy Information Administration.

Even in diesel-loving Europe, the diesel engine is dying. Volvo, for example, recently built its last-ever diesel vehicle, and companies like Nissan, Hyundai, and Daimler (parent company of Mercedes-Benz and the Freightliner and Rizon truck brands) have also backed away from developing new internal combustion engines.

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North America and Europe MHCV Alternative Power Update

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

As the governments of Europe and North America (U.S. and Canada) continue to push for a transition from fossil fuel powered vehicles to zero-emission vehicles, a number of significant barriers to adoption will continue to hamper this initiative.  

Significant barriers to adoption of zero-emission vehicles include the total cost of vehicle ownership, a lack of charging and grid infrastructure, truck resale values and duty cycle issues.  The primary types of alternative propulsion that are in focus include Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen ICE engines and to a lesser degree, Natural Gas and Biodiesel ICE engines. The vast majority of the medium and heavy commercial vehicle industry support the transition to zero-emission vehicles but the short timeline for implementation is causing great concern throughout the industry.

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Alternative Power Report, June 2024

PSR Alternative Power Report – Jun 2024Download

China may place 25% tariffs on EVs in retaliation for similar moves by the US and the European Union. Read about this as well as articles on new battery development, the decline in diesel sales and a new battery from CATL in the June 2024 Alternative Power Report from Power Systems Research. PSR