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PowerTracker Summary Q3 2021: Gen-Set Sales Growth Constrained by Supply Chain Delays

Joe Zirnhelt SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM survey of dealers and distributors reported that overall gen-set sales increased in Q3 2021 up 4.3% from Q2 2021 levels. This builds on a sales increase of 6.8% in Q2 2021 and a slower start to the year of -7.4% in Q1 2021 as sales were constrained by availability and supply issues.
This quarter’s results were based on interviews with 110 gen-set dealer and distributor respondents based in North America. The overarching theme in the third quarter was a continuation of sales growth being constrained by the availability and supply of gen-sets. Longer lead times for dealers to receive shipments is limiting their sales – even though demand from end users remains at high levels.
The data comes from the proprietary PowerTrackerTM series of syndicated surveys conducted each quarter by Power Systems Research. Each quarter we interview gen-set dealers and distributors and other businesses across North America to maintain a pulse on the sales channels as well as monitor the ongoing needs and plans for businesses to purchase standby gen-sets to support their business operations.
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PowerTALK™ News, December 2021
Download PDFQ3 2021 NA Gen-Set Sales Climb 4.3%
The Q3 2021 PowerTracker Report in this issue of PowerTALK News survey of dealers and distributors reports that overall gen-set sales in North America increased in Q3 2021 4.3% from Q2 2021 levels. This builds on a sales increase of 6.8% in Q2 2021 and a slower start to the year of -7.4% in Q1 2021 as sales were constrained by availability and supply issues.
Also, in this issue, you’ll find
- DataPoint: North America Golf Cars
- South America
- JCB To Expand Production Capacity in Brazil
- VWCO To Invest US$ 400 million in Brazil
- Cummins Expands Alternative Power Portfolio in Brazil
- Taiwan: TSMC in Early Talks Regarding Germany Plant
- Japan: Toyota Joins BYD To Build Affordable $30,000 Electric Car
- Southeast Asia: Indonesia Aims at Lead in Integrated EV Production
- India: MG Motors Plans To Make India An Export Hub
- Russia:
- UAZ Patriot SUV Collects US$ 3.8 Million in Pre-orders in USA
- GAZ Group May Start Mass Production of Hydrogen Engines in 2.5 Years
- New Cars in Russia Cost More Than in USA and Europe
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DATAPOINT: 2021 NA Golf Car Production
Today Joe Delmont presents the 2021 forecast for Combine production in North America. This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst of Global Operations at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.
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VinFast Launches Two EVs, Announces US HQ and Manufacturing Plant

Akihiro Komuro VinFast has selected Los Angeles as its US headquarters and recently shared plans to begin manufacturing in the U.S. in 2024. VinFast is the automotive manufacturing subsidiary of VinGroup, a Vietnamese conglomerate that develops everything from real estate to technology and healthcare. The VinFast subsidiary was founded in 2017.
VinFast is working to deliver its flagship EV, the VF e34, later this year in Vietnam. When that happens, it will be the first-ever EV sold in the entire Vietnamese market.
Last month, we reported that VinFast was ambitiously entering markets overseas, beginning with the US, Canada, and Europe at the same time.
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Hyundai Motor Launches ‘Wage Half Price Plant’
For the first time in 23 years, a finished car plant has started operations in South Korea. The operator is Gwangju Global Motors (GGM). This unfamiliar company was established under the leadership of the city of Gwangju in southwestern South Korea, with Hyundai Motor taking a stake, to specialize in contract manufacturing of small cars. The city of Gwangju, which aims to attract industry and create jobs, and Hyundai Motor, which wanted a plant where production can be outsourced at a low cost, coincided in their intentions.
The site area of 455,000 square meters is lined with three buildings: a pressed car body factory, a painting factory, and an assembly factory. Inside the assembly plant, which measures 340 meters by 140 meters, eight colorful car bodies flow smoothly down a three-dimensional production line.
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NEDO Begins R&D of Hydrogen Aircraft
The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) says it will launch a four-topic research and development project for the development of next-generation aircraft, including core technologies for hydrogen aircraft and drastic weight reduction of major structural components of aircraft.
By using Japan’s strengths in elemental technologies such as hydrogen and materials, the project aims to increase the ratio of participation in international joint development of airframes and engines (currently about 20-30%) and contribute to the decarbonization of the aviation sector. It will be implemented as part of the Green Innovation Fund project with a total of 2 trillion yen. The budget is 21.08 billion yen. Kawasaki will develop the core technology for hydrogen aircraft, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. will develop complex shapes and dramatically reduce the weight of major structural parts of aircraft.
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Important Russian Mega-Project in Doubt

Maxim Sakov The government is considering cancelling construction of the high-speed railway between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
One alternative being considered is the replacement of the high-speed railway for selected cargo between the two cities. This option is lobbied by Russian Railways.
The plans to build a high-speed railway between Moscow and St. Petersburg were announced last August. The project was included in the federal budget for 2022-2024. Completion of construction work was expected in…
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Assembly of Russian Railway Machine Kits Started in India
Technical specialist of Sinara Transport Machines (STM) has started work on assembly of RTM-32 kits in India. They also will supervise trial starts of finished machines. Kit assembly works are performed under a State program “Made in India”, if there is a localization level of 51%.
Based on Russian kits, there will be made rail padding and straightening machines, which are used during railway construction, repair, and maintenance. Also, the machines are working with wooden and concrete rail ties. Assembly is based on the production plant of San Engineering & Locomotives Co. Ltd, located in Bangalore which is acting as STM partner in the project.
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AutoVAZ Stops Production at Tolyatti Plant
AutoVAZ stopped assembly of cars on all three production lines at its Tolyatti plant Nov. 12, because of parts shortages, according to the plant’s trade union representative.
The plant produces Lada Largus, Lada X-Ray, Renault Sandero, Logan, Lada Niva Legend, Lada Kalina, and Lada Granta.
AutoVAZ systematically stops its conveyors because of component shortages. To compensate, the OEM tries to implement 6 day work weeks, but these also were cancelled because of parts shortages.
AutoVAZ also stopped production for a corporate vacation July 26 – Aug. 15.
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Chip Shortages Cause Worst Festive Season in Decade for Auto Industry

Aditya Kondejkar 2021’s festive period from Navratri to Diwali (October) marked the worst performance for India automakers in nearly a decade. Usually, sales of PVs peak during the period, however, the demand was much lower this year.
Further, two-wheeler and tractor sales dropped by about 10%. The major reason for this drop is supply-side challenges on semiconductors and lack of demand in entry-level segments for both PVs and two-wheelers.
In the commercial vehicles space, the situation was somewhat better with an increase in demand for interstate movement of goods.
PowerTALK Reports