News

2020 Wheel Loaders/Dozers Production Forecast: 20,200

This is an updated version of an article that initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

This is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Wheel Loaders to be produced in the United States in 2020.

Carol Turner
Carol Turner

This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Market Share: With combined plant totals of 47%, Caterpillar leads in production of Wheel Loaders/Dozers in the United States. In second position is Deere with 22%. Third, is Case New Holland with 8%.

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EV Postal Delivery Motorcycle Is Honda’s New Opportunity

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

JAPAN–Honda plans to introduce 200 electric motorcycles for postal delivery services by March 2020, and around 2,000 units are expected be introduced in FY2020. Approximately 85,000 postal delivery motorcycles are running in Japan today, and all are made by Honda. There are also three-wheel models, but most are Super Cubs, which has a reputation for reliability. At first, these EV bikes will be deployed in Tokyo, where the driving range is small, and in other local ordinance-designated cities.

Akihiro Komuro
Akihito Komuro

The base unit is the electric motorcycle for business use, the Benly e-series. Honda will start selling it to corporations in April 2020. This is a 96V system in which two lithium-ion batteries with a voltage of 48V are connected in series. Charging is performed by removing the battery from the vehicle and using a special charger; it takes about four hours to reach full charge from zero.

Honda says the bike has a maximum output of 3.8PS and achieves a 12-degree slope uphill performance with maximum load capacity. The cruising range is 87km for Benly e: I and 43km for Benly e: II. According to Honda officials, the bike can be operated for one day considering the delivery range, but in most cases it will return to the post office during lunch break, and a battery can be replaced at that time.

Source: Response

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We Expect 2020 NA Overall OEM Production To Be Flat

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

SUMMARY.  The North American economy remained stable in 2019 and pure economic conditions as well as fundamentals in the region were favorable. Most industries performed very well, and the short-term outlook remains stable to flat for most market segments. However, we see many new developments that could suggest a shift in the trend.

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

Consumer confidence declined slightly in December, following a moderate increase in November.  The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index stood at 126.5 in December, 1.4 points higher than in September 2019. 

Per Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, their expectations declined, driven primarily by a softening in their short-term outlook regarding jobs and financial prospects. While the economy hasn’t shown signs of further weakening, there is little to suggest that growth, and in particular consumer spending, will gain momentum in early 2020.”

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CONEXPO We’ll Be Looking for You at CONEXPO

Read our staff reports from CONEXPO.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is North America’s largest construction trade show representing the construction and concrete industries.  Even though we’ll have a full team at the show with nearly a dozen PSR representatives, it will be difficult to hit all of the 2,800 exhibitor areas so let us know how we can meet up with you.

We always welcome the opportunity to engage and meet with the industry.  An in-person meeting provides that chance to place a face with a name, discuss industry trends as well as explore any challenges that we might be able to help you tackle!

If there’s a time that works best for us to visit with you at the show, please let us know.  Just call or drop us an email.

Email us at info@powersys.com or call us at 651.905.8400, and we’ll plan to get together.   PSR

Thailand Auto Industry Brakes Sharply

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

THAILAND–Vehicles produced in Thailand are exported to the world, including Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Europe. However, the automobile industry is in trouble because of the double punch of the global economy slowing down due to the US-China trade friction and the spread of the new coronavirus.

Akihiro Komuro
Akihito Komuro

Exports, which account for half of Thailand’s automobile production, where Japanese and other automakers such as Toyota and Honda have production bases, have fallen, and vehicle production turned negative for the first time in five years in 2019. In addition, the spread of the new coronavirus is catching up. It is expected that the impact on Thailand’s automobile industry will be even greater if the shutdown of factories in China and production cutoffs are prolonged and parts procurement is delayed.

Source: NHK

PSR Analysis: From about September 2019, it has been reported that many Southeast Asian automobile industries, including Thailand, have begun to slow down, but this has been attributed to a slowdown in trade due to US-China trade friction.

Today, of course, there is the same problem, but the rapid spread of COVID-19 is a new problem. Many automotive industries around the world are supported by the supply of parts from China, and a slowdown in supply could severely impact car production. Especially in Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Indonesia.  PSR

Akihiro Komuro is a Research Analyst covering the Far East and Southeast Asia for Power Systems Research.

KAMAZ Patents Electric Truck Without Cab

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

This truck has a very unusual design. The database of Rospatent has shown drawings of a cabless truck with an electric motor. The patent owner is KAMAZ. The truck has a very unusual appearance because it doesn’t have a cabin – it’s a box on wheels with low clearance, and it features round head and rear lights, and a vent grid. No details are available about the motor, except that it’s electric.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The truck looks somewhat like the Volvo Vera truck.

Last year, KAMAZ started testing a driverless truck developed for coal transportation in one of Kuzbass mines. It is equipped with cruise-control and a system for bypassing obstacles and making lane changes.    

Read the Article

PSR Analysis: The future is next door. Of course, it’s a long way from the patent to the working vehicle, but the trend is clear. KAMAZ has concentrated technologies for creation of a driverless electric truck and has patented them. PSR

Elabuga Plant Begins Production of Bobcat B780

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

In January Bobcat announced local production of its B780 wheel loaders. The model will be assembled in Elabuga, Tatarstan.

“Russia is an important market for Bobcat wheel loaders, and for the company in general,” said Yaroslav Fisher, director of Bobcat’s wheel loader production, Doosan Bobcat EMEA. “(Local production and the certification of the right of mark “Made in Russia” will be done. Bobcat engineers will control all the production processes in the plant to ensure the product quality conforms with company standards.”-

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: One more localized product. At the moment it’s SKD assembly with the prospect of components being produced locally. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant, in Russia for Power Systems Research

Opel Bets on Russia

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Opel is back in Russia, and the company appears to be betting the Russian market can provide a significant opportunity for business diversification.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

In 2019, company sales declined as the business was reorganized, and Opel cut its model portfolio.

According to reports, 96% of Opel sales are concentrated in Europe. This fact has determined a focus point for sales increase. In 2022, Opel expects to be in 20 new export markets. After 20 years of financial losses, the very first year within the Peugeot SA structure was quite profitable for Opel (plus 859 million Euro for 2018).

Meanwhile, the Russian PSA plant in Kaluga has begun final preparations for production of Zafira Life and Vivaro minivans.    

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: It appears that Opel has decided to start with minivans in the Russian market, and it is targeting the LCV niche where the chances for success are better than in passenger cars. While individual consumer demand is declining for LCVs, the companies making the vehicles locally can receive State and municipal orders for vehicles.

Last year, the State placed big orders for ambulances and school buses, sharing the orders between the GAZ Group and other local OEMs. At the same time, new models of passenger cars produced abroad, like Opel Crossland X, did not post good sales in the Russian market. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant in Russia for Power Systems Research

Dieselzipservice Starts Producing M401D Engines

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Dieselzipservice has started mass production of the M400D and M401D marine diesel engines it has developed. These propulsion engines are installed on hydrofoil ships and speedboats for river and sea use.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The tech features provides increased power with reduced fuel consumption and improved ecological performance.    

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The group of companies identified as Dieselzipservice is an engine marinizer and marine engine repair company. Marine propulsion engine production is a new business for the company. Still, it has a good chance for success because this market niche in Russian has a lot of room for newcomers. Top world players, like Volvo, Mercury, MTU and others have limited their presence in the market with Western sanctions, the local product is still undeveloped, and engines from China often are reliable. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant in the Russian operation of Power Systems Research.

New India Budget Disappoints Auto Industry

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Source: Business Today   Read The Article

Ritvik Kulkarni
Ritvik Kulkarni

PSR Analysis: The Indian Automotive Industry was largely left disappointed with the budget after no direct steps were taken to arrest the decline in automotive sales. Although keeping long term benefits in mind, the budget did introduce measures to boost the rural economy, which in turn will directly benefit the commercial vehicle industry which is an important driver for the economy.

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