PG&E Blackouts Lead to Best Fourth Quarter for Mid-Range Power in Five Years

SUMMARY: Gen-set sales in Q4 2019 rose 3.5% from Q3 2019, driven primarily by growth in the middle power ranges. The 21-50kW range experienced the fastest growth at 7.5%, followed by 10-20kW at 3.7% and 101-300kW at 3.5%.

When looking at this growth by application, we see that standbys were the only application to experience meaningful growth this quarter, ending with a strong 7.5% increase. Unlike previous quarters, this increased demand came from more than residential consumers. Institutional and industrial consumers increased their demand by 2.5% and 3.75%, respectively. This is the strongest fourth quarter showing for these consumer types in the last five years.

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Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

Sonalika Group is planning to spend approximately $100 million to set up a manufacturing facility for the production of tractors aimed at the international export market. Production will be used to developing products tailored to meet customer requirements in Latin America, Europe, United States, Oceania and South Asia

“We are looking at investing $100 million to set up a dedicated facility for exports. The new unit will have total installed capacity of 100,000 units and will be commissioned within the next two years,” according to Gaurav Saxena, director and CEO of the company’s International Tractors Ltd., operation.

One-third of the group’s revenue is attributed to exports, and the organization aims to be among the world’s top three tractor brands by 2030, considering the global sale of 1.5 million tractors. Presently, ITL exports 35,000 units and has set a target to reach 100,000 units within the next seven years.

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Mahindra Plans To Double Tractor Exports

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

“Our aim is that with the launch of Oja (platform), we will double our export in the next three years,” says Hemant Sikka, president of Mahindra’s farm equipment sector. “So, we want to increase exports from 18,000 to 36,000 in about three years.”

In collaboration with Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan, and an investment of INR 1200 crore, the new Oja platform could help Mahindra win 25% of the worldwide tractor demand. This includes tapping into new markets such as Europe and ASEAN, as well as strengthening its presence in sectors like horticulture.

Source: Economic Times    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The launch of Mahindra Tractors’ new Oja platform underscores a strategic move with several critical business implications. First, the entry into the 80,000 unit ASEAN market represents an expansion initiative, targeting countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This move aligns with the company’s global growth strategy, capitalizing on the increasing demand for tractors in these emerging markets.

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VWCO To Invest US$ 400 million in Four Years in Brazil

The amount is expected to be directed mainly to new technologies, such as for the Proconve P8 introduction in 2023, new technologies for Connectivity and development of sales and aftersales areas.

Source: O Estado de São Paulo     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The investment is higher than the former investments cycles but keeps the same line and makes the company one of the most important players in the Truck and Bus industry in South America. With this announcement, VWCO confirms its belief in the Brazilian Market and indicates its willingness to keep its market share lead. PSR

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

Electric Light-Duty Trucks Must Meet 5% METI Goal by FY2030

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) now requires shippers that transport a large volume of freight to set a target of using 5% electric light-duty trucks by FY2030, which includes EVs and fuel cell vehicles (CVs), but not hybrids.

They will also be required to submit periodic reports on their progress toward this target. If the efforts are significantly inadequate, the committee can make recommendations to shippers and publicly announce the names of the companies involved.

Of the 800 major manufacturers, retailers, and other companies with large annual transportation volumes, those that are also involved in their own transportation or those that request exclusive transportation from a specific company are eligible for the program.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: The fact that hybrids are not included in this goal effectively means that the next-generation development of light-duty trucks has been narrowed down to BEVs or FCVs. However, FCVs still lack hydrogen stations, and the construction cost of hydrogen stations is higher than that of EV charging stations, so the shift to EVs will be promoted first. Light-duty trucks are numerous and can be said to be the artery of domestic logistics. With about seven years to go until 2030, the number of vehicles that will be replaced by EVs will increase every year. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research

Five Year Plan Encourages Development of LNG Trucks and Ships

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

“By 2025, the national gas storage capacity of intensive layout will reach 55 billion ~ 60 billion cubic meters, accounting for about 13% of natural gas consumption. Build a green and low-carbon transportation system, optimize and adjust the transportation structure, vigorously develop multi-modal transport, promote the medium and long-distance transportation of bulk goods “from rail to water”, encourage the use of clean fuels such as LNG in the field of heavy-duty trucks and ships, and strengthen the guarantee of clean energy supply in the transportation industry. It is emphasized that the LNG storage and transportation system in Bohai Rim region, Yangtze River Delta region and Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Bay area should be continuously improved, and the core is the construction of LNG terminal.”

Source:  NDRC       Read The Article

PSR Analysis. China’s LNG import volume in 2022 is expected to surpass Japan and become the world’s largest LNG importer. At the same time, China has built 22 LNG terminals. There are more than 200 LNG manufacturers in China, with an annual capacity of about 30 million tons.

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Hyundai China Sales Drop 77% in Six Years

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor has announced that it will sell two plants in China. Beijing Hyundai, a joint venture with China’s state-owned auto giant Beijing Automotive Group, will reduce the number of plants in operation to two. Sluggish sales in the Chinese market have prompted the company to make structural reforms.

Hyundai Motor’s sales in China were 260,000 units in 2022; in 2016 it sold 1.13 million units, a 77% decline in six years.

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KAMAZ Intends To Double Production of Electric Powered Buses

In 2020, NEFAZ, a subsidiary of KAMAZ, made 202 electric buses. In 2021, it plans to double the production of this innovative transport.

Today, in Moscow has 400 working KAMAZ electric buses, half of which were supplied during 2020. “We can make machine, which became tech leader on domestic market. We could enter Moscow passenger transport market. It changes the scale of the business and our respect to own product,” says KAMAZ general director Sergey Kogogin.

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AutoVAZ Shows Best Monthly Sales for 6 Years in October

During October 2020 AutoVAZ increased sales of Lada cars (including the Niva brand) by 22.5% to 37,030 vehicles. This is a best result since October 2014, when the company sold 37,788 cars.

Marketing and sales vice-president of the OEM Mr Morne has explained demand and sales growth by State and own support programs.

AutoVAZ plans to work Saturdays and holidays during November to meet low inventories of cars among dealers.    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: It appears that the grim forecast regarding automotive production in Russia related to the epidemy is not going to come true. However, there is one more factor in the growing demand. The devaluation of national currency will force people to spend their Rubles before they lose a big part of its value.    PSR

Russian AG Machinery Exports Double in Q1 2021

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Exports of Russian AG machines more than doubled in Q1 2021 versus the same period in 2020; exports have reached US$ 53 million (3.9 billion rubles).

Rosspetsmash, the Russian Association of Manufacturers, notes that Russian OEMs showed record high figures for 2020, reaching US$ 214 million (15.9 billion rubles). For Q1 2021, Russian AG machines were shipped to 23 countries. Exports of AWD tractors are up by 2.8 times, and combines, by 46%. The exports to Germany have increased by five times, to Bulgaria by 65%, and to Poland by 49%.

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