News: Commercial Vehicles

2021-05-24

GM Announces LCV To Be Produced in Brazil

This pickup truck will be produced at the São Caetano plant using the GEM platform, the leader in the compact car segment with Chevrolet Onyx. This vehicle will be smaller than the GM S-10, produced in São José dos Campos, Brazil, and bigger than the old Montana. It should compete with Fiat Toro, leader in sales ant he Pick-up segment.

Source: M&T      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: GM hopes to follow the success history of Stellantis in Brazil with a smaller, yet not compact pick-up. The successful history of GM with pickups in Brazil, since the 70’s  with the C-10, D-10,  D-20 and more recently with the S-10, in addition to sales leadership and brand recognition puts GM in a good position to get market share from Stellantis. In addition, the use of the GEM platform is a competitive advantage. The volume forecast in our databases will be about 50,000 units per year for this model.   PSR

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

Müller Launches Rigid Off-Highway Truck MDT430 in Brazil

The Brazilian group that acquired Randon Veículos, the division of Randon group that produced OH Trucks and Construction Equipment, at the end of 2020 launched the first model under the Müller brand. It has a 350 HP Turbo Intercooler produced by Scania and an Allisson Automatic Transmission.

Source: M&T     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Whether lucky or visionary, Müller is well positioned to produce positive results in coming years. While mining activity in Brazil is growing with record commodities prices and public bids for new exploration areas are expanding, competitors are mostly imported and suffer from exchange rate effects.

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

Continental Wins First Order for CV High-Performance Computer

Frankfurt, Germany–For the first time, Continental has won an order to supply the commercial vehicle sector with telematics units that include high-performance computers. This means that the technology company now also offers a solution that can master the increasing requirements for connectivity, complexity and functional scope in trucks.

Continental will use its telematics know-how – already proven in the passenger car sector – to complete this order from Volkswagen. Last year, Continental was the first supplier to put a high-performance computer with software into serial production. The computer connects the electronics architecture, controls data streams, and enables over-the-air updates for VW’s all-electronic ID series.

In its solution for trucks, Continental combines the telematics unit with a high-performance computer, enabling the mapping of a large number of additional functions and different applications. Particularly in the efficiency-driven transportation industry, this entails competition-relevant applications ranging from the digitalization of the logistics chain and remote diagnostics to secure over-the-air software updates.

Continental says its solution can manage the large data streams generated in the vehicle much better than conventional computers. As a result, it not only can create opportunities for even more innovative functions and services, but also can ensure a high degree of flexibility for the customer.

Founded in 1871, Continental offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation.   PSR

European EV Buses Under Pressure

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

After three years, Alstom is halting their EV bus production.  By the end of 2021, the production lines will be stopped, and unless a buyer will take over, most of the operations will be shut down.  Twenty employees will remain active to assure maintenance for the existing vehicles in operations with RATP. 

Just two years ago, Alstom was one of the winners of a contract to supply electric buses to the French operator.  However, this was not enough to maintain profitability.  

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PSR Analysis: We believe that electric buses have a great future, particularly in Europe.  According to our database CV Link™, alternative drive buses, including Hybrid, Fuel Cells and Battery Electric, will grow at a 22% CAGR between 2020 and 2030. 

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Forecast: Component Shortages and Supply Chain Disruptions

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Since the latter part of last year, North American heavy commercial truck orders have been extremely strong as freight rates remain very high.  Both contract rates and spot rates are in record territory, primarily driven by consumer spending, a strong housing market and an improving manufacturing sector. 

The anticipation of the stimulus spending and increasing vaccination rates for Covid-19 are also driving optimism in the economy.  However, rising inflation could derail the improving economy.

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2021-04-25

PSR-HDMA Present Webinar April 21, 2021

Current and Future Supply Chain Concerns For Medium and Heavy Vehicles Will Be Discussed

Erik Martin
Erik Martin
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Power Systems Research April 21, 2021, produced a one-hour webinar with the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) discussing current and future supply chain concerns, especially as they affect Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles. 

The presenters included:

  • Chris Fisher – Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst, Power Systems Research
  • Erik Martin – Director, Asia Region, Power Systems Research
  • Richard Anderson – Director, Market Research & Analysis, HDMA
HDMA-PSR COVID Webinar PresentationDownload
PSR – Coronavirus Special ReportDownload

Rosatom Eyes Battery Production for Electric Cars in 2025

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

OOO Renera, subsidiary of Rosatom, has purchased Enertech International, a South Korean company.

According to the signed agreement, Li-Ion accumulator batteries and related power systems will be produced in Russia. It’s expected that production will be started in 2025, and in 2030 the plant capacity will be increased to minimum 2 GWt*hr

The batteries will be installed in trucks, buses and special machines.

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PSR Analysis: It’s important to notice that there are no passenger car batteries among the planned production. So, electric passenger cars are still not considered as having significant market potential in Russia.   PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

Sales of Russian GAZ Trucks Started in Australia

Local dealers have received all-terrain trucks Sadko Next built especially for the local market with altered steering wheel and pedals and with different optics.

The AAV company from Brisbane has become a distributor of GAZ. The model has been introduced in local market under the name GAZ Track Master 4×4.

Tech specs of the Australian version of the truck are identical to its Russian version. It has 4.4 liter turbo-diesel of 150hp. It works with 5-step manual transmission and a transfer case, operated from the head panel. Basic options included cruise-control, air conditioner, multi-media system, snorkel and electric winch. Vehicle can move 2500 kg of cargo.

The cost of a truck is 90,000 Australian dollars, 40% more than in Russia. According to the local distributor, closest competitor price starts at AUD 120 000.

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PSR Analysis: The all-terrain vehicles market is not so big, but it can be used to open a door for other models. Sadko Next has recently introduced by GAZ Group. The vehicle has a good reputation because of a general quality and a moderate cost of ownership. PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

KAMAZ Net Profit Exceeds US$ 20 Million

KAMAZ has reported a net profit of (more than US$ 20 million (1545 million Rubles) for 2020. KAMAZ reported revenue for 2020 of US$ 2.47 billion (185.8 billion Rubles), an increase of more than 16% over 2019. This growth is based on domestic truck sales, the introduction of the K5 range, and an increase in bus and electric bus sales.

Despite the COVID pandemic, in 2020 KAMAZ secured positions in the market and has claimed the status of leading Russian heavy vehicles supplier. The company claims a leader position in the 14+ ton truck market in Russia with a share of 47.5%, up 3.3% over 2019.

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PSR Analysis: Of course, State support measures are a big part of this success. Still, domestic truck and bus production has demonstrated good survival potential even in a major pandemic. PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations, for Power Systems Research

India Government Announces Scrappage Policy

Aditya Kondejkar

The central government in mid-April announced its long-awaited vehicle scrappage policy. Under the new policy, in case of failure to get a fitness certificate, commercial vehicles will be de-registered after 15 years. Private vehicles will be de-registered after 20 years if found unfit or in case of a failure to renew registration certificates

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There are approximately 50 lakh vehicles in India that are older than 20 years, approximately 35 lakh vehicles older than 15 years, and approximately 15 lakh older than 15 years without renewed fitness certificate.

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