The outlook for global truck production in the class 4-8 looks very promising for 2018 as it continues a strong growth pattern established in 2017. Even previously struggling countries such as Russia, Brazil and Turkey saw very positive signs in 2017 and are looking for continued growth this year. North America and Europe also are expected to have a good year in 2018.
The May issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research contains several articles that discuss plans for production of alternative power sources. These include articles on VW’s plans to build its largest battery factory in Canada, Cummins decision to invest $1 billion in a hydrogen fuel network plus a report Caterpillar and NMG joining forces.
President and Founder, Japan Electrification Research Institute, Ltd.
SUMMARY. The global auto industry is bubbling with changes and dramatic new ideas, but the current declining financial performances of Japanese auto OEMs may force them to drop out of the race temporarily before they can take advantage of the growing demand for autonomous vehicles.
New initiatives at Power Systems Research (PSR) are spelled out by Joe Zirnhelt, PSR president and CEO, in the May issue of the company’s monthly PowerTALK report.
Here are more TOP STORIES in PowerTALK, May 2019:
IN THIS ISSUE. The May issue of PowerTALKTM News reports that gen-set sales in North America declined in Q1 2021 down 7.4% from Q4 2020 levels, according to the Power Systems Research PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents. This decrease follows three consecutive quarters in 2020 where dealers reported overall sales increases of 4.5% in Q2 2020 followed by 11.9% in Q3 2020 and 6.3% in Q4 2020.
Although sales were down 7.4% in Q1 2021, the results were unique in that there was a different story depending on the fuel and power range being considered.
Here are more items in the May 2021issue of PowerTALK™News:
The Department of National Security of Norway may block the purchase of engine OEM Bergen Engines belonging to Rolls-Royce by Russian Transmash-Holding. According to Justice Minister of Norway Monica Melan, the acquisition may be a threat to national security. The deal is estimated at €150 million. According to the minister, it’s necessary to suspend a deal to collect information for making a final decision.
Bergen Engines was founded in 1946. Since then, the company delivered more than 7,000 engines, 5,000 of them still operating. Current personnel number is 900 people.
The machine building company “Sinara – Transport machines” (STM), says it may be forced to dismiss 20% of personnel because it has lost most of its orders from Russian Railways for cranes and other railway service machines.
Sinara has lost 85% of the orders from Russian Railways for railway service machines. Because of decreasing orders from the railway monopoly, the main client of STM, 7,000 people on its plants have not worked since August. The total personnel number in STM is 32,000 people, so about 20% of its personnel is questionable. Now, the company is looking for a way to re-qualify these people
Electrification has become one of the important directions of green development within China’s construction machinery segment. Domestic construction machinery leaders have increased the development of equipment electrification and have launched a variety of electrification products.
Some professional organizations predict that by 2025 the penetration rate of main products may reach 25%. The electrification of construction machinery initially replaces conventional diesel engine drive with electric drive and then the hydraulic device is replaced by an electric device. Concrete mixers, truck cranes, muck trucks, excavators and wheel-loaders are the most easily electrically driven products, especially for small construction machinery.
Source: CLS Read The Article
With the increasing penetration of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) network across India, many cities may transition from conventional diesel-powered vehicles to CNG for the last mile.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could be a favorable option for heavy and long hauls due to its higher energy density and hence a lower payload penalty and potential range, a lower carbon footprint/noise levels and its cryogenic temperatures which makes it a theft-proof fuel option.
At the same time, the use of HPDI (High-Pressure Direct Injection), a system that enables heavy–duty trucks to operate on natural gas with diesel- like performance would also aid in the switch to LNG.
In her annual State of The EU address on Sept. 13, 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Chinese manufacturers are dumping Chinese EVs on EU customers that are priced below what domestic manufacturers charge.
She suggested that the root cause of the problem is the heavy subsidies provided to Chinese automakers by the central government — subsidies that allow them to sell Chinese EVs at artificially low prices to the detriment of domestic companies. If so, she warned the EU would consider imposing new tariffs on Chinese cars to level the playing field.
Monthly news and analysis from PSR’s experts
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