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VWCO Exports Grow 130% in First 4 Months of 2021
VWCO reported exports of 2527 trucks and buses from January to April 2021, versus 1084 units in the same period of 2020. Most of the growth came during April; the month was very negatively affected by the pandemic in 2020.
Source: Automotive Business Read The Article
PSR Analysis: As with other OEMs, the export volumes of VWCO have been better than expected considering only Q1 2021 vs. Q1 2020, period without pandemic effect in 2020. During our forecast planning in Q4…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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European EV Buses Under Pressure

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.
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 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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PSR-HDMA Present Webinar April 21, 2021
Current and Future Supply Chain Concerns For Medium and Heavy Vehicles Will Be Discussed

Erik Martin 
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
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Rosatom Eyes Battery Production for Electric Cars in 2025

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.
PSR Analysis: It’s important to notice that there are no passenger…
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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…
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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…