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Q3 2017 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) drops 9.5%
Download PDFSt. Paul, MN (October 12, 2017)— The Power Systems Research global Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) deceased from 116 to 105, or -9.5%, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, from Q2 2017. However, the year-over-year (Q3 2016 to Q3 2017) gain for the PSR-TPI was 101 to 105, or 3.9%.
Overall, the global commercial truck industry is stronger than it has been in a number of years and is expected to continue to be strong moving into 2018. While there are still concerns about regional economies such as South America and Greater China, the global economies continue to improve.
The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan & Korea and Emerging Markets.
This data comes from CV Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research.
While production in China also is expected to increase and South Asia also is expected to post gains, India is not expected to do as well. Japan and Korea are expected to decline this year.
With the exception of India, all of the countries of South Asia are expected to have a good year for medium and heavy commercial vehicle demand. Demand has slowed in India with the strict implementation of the BS-IV emission regulations on April 1, which increased the cost of the vehicles by 6% – 10%. There was very little truck pre-buy during Q1 2017, and there was a sharp decline in demand during the second quarter. However, demand appears to have stabilized in the third quarter.
Medium and heavy commercial truck demand are starting to see improvements in countries such as Brazil and Russia in which we expect to see double digit growth this year after a number of years with dismal demand levels. Along with a soft economy and the implementation of Euro VI emission regulations last year, Turkey is still struggling with demand levels.
In North America, medium and heavy commercial truck production is expected to increase by 2.3% this year compared with 2016. The class 8 heavy truck segment continues to improve and production is expected to finish slightly higher than 2016. The medium truck (class 4-7) segment is expected to remain strong with production increasing by 5.2% over last year primarily driven by a strong vocational segment. Demand for class 8 trucks declined last year but demand is improving and is expected to continue into 2018.
Also seeing improvement is Greater Europe. Here, production for medium and heavy commercial vehicles is expected to increase by 5.5% this year compared with 2016. After a relatively strong couple of years in Western Europe, demand has moderated somewhat, but production has improved 3.6% compared to last year. After very low demand in Eastern Europe during the past few years, the market has stabilized and is expected to improve by 15.3% this year as fleets continue to upgrade their equipment.
Detailed comments are contained for each region with a corresponding regional graph in the attached downloadable PDF. PSR
Chris Fisher is the senior commercial vehicle analyst at Power Systems Research
Jim Downey is vice president -global data products at Power Systems Research
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How Student Teamwork Built a World Championship Car
Editor’s Note: Caroline Little teaches all levels of French and moderates an engineering co-curricular at St. Thomas Academy, an all-boys school in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Here she provides a report on the program and the benefits it provides to participating students.
Power Systems Research has been a lead sponsor of the special Experimental Vehicle Team (EVT) at St. Thomas for many years. This year, the team won its class in the Shell Eco-Marathon international competition in London. This report from Ms. Little discusses the program and the benefits it provides for high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and match (STEM).
By Caroline Little
Every year for the past twenty the Saint Thomas Academy Experimental Vehicle Team (STA EVT) has built a new vehicle from the ground up to give our students the best engineering experience a high-schooler can get. The internationally recognized program started in 1997. My fellow moderator Mark Westlake and I believe in the importance of learning from mistakes. That the most important life lessons come from experience, that science is not always easy and that the answers are not always found in the back of the book.
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Gen-Set Sales Gain Momentum in Q2 2017
SUMMARY: Considering sales across all power ranges, gen-set sales gathered some momentum in Q2 2017, up 1.8% compared to Q1 2017 levels. This increase follows Q1 2017 where overall dealer reported sales were down 5.5% relative to Q4 2016 levels.
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Truck Production Climbs in 2Q 2017
Download PDFST. PAUL, MN (JULY 14, 2017)—The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 100 to 114, or 14%, for the three-month period ended June 30, 2017, from Q1 2017. The year-over-year (Q2 2016 to Q2 2017) gain for the PSR-TPI was, 111 to 114, or 2.7%.
The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan & Korea and Emerging Markets. This data comes from CV Link™, the proprietary database of commercial vehicles maintained by Power Systems Research.
SUMMARY: While the global economy is mixed, the overall trend for economic growth remains positive and bodes well for commercial vehicle demand. Commodity prices continue to hinder growth primarily due to overcapacity in the Chinese market.
Regionally, except for South America, India and Turkey regional commercial vehicle demand is typically at historic replacement levels and are expected to remain that way throughout the remainder of the year. After seeing a couple of poor years for demand in Russia, it appears commercial vehicle sales have rebounded.
Detailed comments are contained for each region with a corresponding regional graph in the attached downloadable PDF.
Chris Fisher is the senior commercial vehicle analyst at Power Systems Research
Jim Downey is vice president -global data products at Power Systems Research
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Booming North American Rental Market Offers Opportunity
This article appeared in the June 2017 issue of Compoundings Magazine, published by ILMA (Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association)
If you didn’t hike through the nearly 3 million square feet of exhibit space at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas in March, you missed an opportunity to explore several new markets for lubricants.
And even if you were in Las Vegas, you might have missed two of the most promising growth opportunities for lubricants.…
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Gen-Set Sales Start Slow in Q1 2017
SUMMARY: Considering sales across all power ranges, gen-set sales were off to a slower start in Q1 2017, down 5.5% compared to Q4 2016 levels. This decrease follows Q4 2016 where overall dealer reported sales were flat relative to Q3 2016 levels.
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Small Engines Placing Big Demands on Lubes
This article appeared in the April 2017 issue of Compoundings Magazine, published by ILMA (Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association)
Recently, off-road industrial and recreational vehicle engines have become increasingly larger and higher performing. The result is a demand for these once smaller engines in increasingly difficult situations, and performance demands placed upon engine lubricants used by off-road industrial and recreational…
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POWER SYSTEMS RESEARCH (PSR): Another in Our Series of EGSA Member Company Profiles
This article appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of Powerline Magazine, published by EGSA (Electrical Generating Systems Association)
This is the story of a 40-year-old company that carried on
and succeeded following the sudden and tragic death of its
Founder and President last year. Early in 2015, George Zirnhelt,
the dynamic and creative Founder and President of Power Systems
Research (PSR), passed away from injuries sustained in an
accident while vacationing in Mexico.The PSR global team rebounded from this loss, immediately
implementing a crisis operations plan and a management transition
program that were both already put in place. Instead of losing
ground, the company finished 2015 strong, by following through
on several strategic tasks that George had initiated and implemented
to position the company for future growth and expansion.Already in Q1, 2016 revenue was the best in more than a decade
– a sign that the company is moving forward despite tragic loss.
PSR is an internationally-recognized leader in the collection,
analysis and forecasting of production information for engines -
2014 Experimental Vehicle Team
PSR helps to sponsor international award-winning St. Thomas Academy (St. Paul, Minn.) Experimental Vehicle Team. This is a record of their 2014 winning effort.
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