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Q4 2022 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) gains 3.7%
Download PDFSt. Paul, MN (Janaury 23, 2023)— The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 101 to 105, or 3.7%, for the three-month period ended Dec. 31, 2022, from Q3 2022. The year-over-year (Q4 2021 through Q4 2022) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 122 to 105, or -13.2%.
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 OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research.
Global Index. Global medium and heavy vehicle production is expected to decline by 15.8% in 2022 when final numbers are available in Q1 2023, primarily due to a significant drop in heavy truck demand in China. Global MHCV demand is expected to improve by 4.6% in 2023 even with concerns of a slowing global economy. Ongoing supply chain disruptions along with generally higher inflation and a risk of Covid variants returning are also a concern moving forward.
All Regions. Medium and heavy commercial vehicle production will be mixed in 2022 due to a variety of issues. In China, truck overcapacity continues to hinder demand while the Russian-Ukraine war is significantly impacting demand and production in Eastern Europe. While the global supply chain is showing improvement, it will remain a problem in 2023 for all regions. There is serious concern about a major slowdown in the North American and European economy as a direct result of higher fuel and energy prices and overall inflation which doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
North America. Medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to increase by 12.5% in 2022 over last year primarily driven by improved class 8 truck production. While not back to pre-pandemic levels, the supply chain has seen improvement during the past few months. Within the class 8 truck segment, PSR expects truck demand to remain strong into the first part of next year as a result of significant pent-up heavy truck demand. While commercial vehicle demand is expected to decline slightly in 2023, production levels are expected to remain strong through at least the first half of the year. PSR
Jim Downey is Vice President – Global Data Products at Power Systems Research
Chris Fisher is the Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research
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Are Hydrogen Engines in Your Future?
Guy Youngs According to newly published research by Interact Analysis, hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2 ICE) are forecast to be sold in 220,000 vehicles in 2035.
On the plus side, H2 ICE vehicles have some notable advantages. The engine technology is reasonably similar to diesel engines, enabling use of existing knowledge, design and production vehicles. The vehicles can deliver high power, work with impure fuel, work in dirty and dusty conditions and refuel quickly.
On the downside, there is no hydrogen infrastructure in place in almost all locations in the world, there is a lack of awareness about the technology and limited development so far. Most importantly, the current cost of hydrogen fuel is high – it will need a big reduction before the vehicles can become competitive. Even at half the cost of today, H2 ICE vehicles do not have a good total cost of ownership. The cost of the engine is not substantial, but the cost of the tanks adds a lot to the cost of the vehicle, then there is infrastructure and above all hydrogen fuel.
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Growth of Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H-ICE)
Hydrogen ICE vehicles offer an alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and have the potential to reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. These vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and more automakers are starting to offer hydrogen-powered options in their vehicle lineups.
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JCB Reaches Hydrogen Milestone
JCB’S £100 million investment in a project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines is going full steam ahead. A team of 100 engineers has been working on the exciting development for more than a year and the 50th JCB hydrogen combustion engine has now come off the production line as part of the development process.
JCB’s hydrogen-fueled backhoe loader is one of three hydrogen vehicles the OEM is developing. JCB hydrogen engines are powering prototype backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers and the company has recently unveiled its very own designed and built mobile refueling bowser to take fuel to the machines. The bowser has enough hydrogen to fill 16 hydrogen backhoe loaders and can be transported either on the back of a modified Fastrac tractor or on a trailer.
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Hyster Begins Pilot of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Container Handler
Hyster Company is testing a top-pick container handler powered by hydrogen fuel cells (HFC) at Fenix Marine Services in the Port of Los Angeles.
Based on the standard Hyster H1050-1150XD-CH top-pick container handler design, the truck is powered by two 45kw hydrogen fuel cells from Nuvera, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster parent company Hyster-Yale Group. The HFC-powered top pick is designed to provide the zero emissions benefits of a battery electric option, with enough capacity to keep operators moving and avoid the need to stop in the middle of a shift to refuel or recharge.
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U.S. Economy Faces Multiple Problems
NORTH AMERICA REPORT
SUMMARY. Many of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. economy in 2022 are continuing into 2023. These problems include supply chain disruptions, the migration of production and use of internal combustion engines to alternative drive types, uncertainty of inflation and rising interest rates, and the war in Ukraine.
There were also positives which came out of 2022, including a return to more face-to-face business transactions and meetings. Trade shows made a big comeback in 2022, and this trend will continue in 2023 as the huge CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held in March in Las Vegas.
The push towards electrification is not all negative either. Innovation and action around alternative drive types will continue to grow.
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FPT Developing Ethanol or Biomethane Engine in Brazil
FPT, Mahle and Brazilian universities are working to develop an FPT F1C Bi-Fuel engine to meet Brazilian transportation needs using Ethanol, or Biomethane and Hydrogen for use in hybrid vehicle applications.
The project involves the creation of mathematical models, which will be used to characterize and predict the behavior of the engine operating with ethanol and biomethane, assisting in the development of components and hardware, and testing the equipment at Mahle's technology center in Jundiaí…
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First Synthetic Fuel Neutral CO2 Starts in Chile
Fabio Ferraresi Construction of the first world carbon-neutral synthetic fuel plant was started in Chile, in December 2022. With a US$55 million investment in the project, Siemens Energy, HIF Global and Porsche will produce Methanol and Gasoline using water, wind and CO2. The plant has a planned capacity of 550 million liters in 2027.
The Haru Oni plant is Installed in the Magallanes, Chilean Patagonia region. It is known for the vast potential for its hydrogen market, with winds of more than 6,000…
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Brazil Moves Forward on Truck Fleet Renewal Program
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
In December 2022, the Brazilian Government published regulations for the Fleet Renewal Program authorized by the law that was published in H1 2022. Under this regulation, truck owners may receive the old truck market value from companies in the Oil and Gas exploration chain, provided that they prove the truck was taken out of circulation, disassembly and recycled. The program is voluntary, both for owners selling the old truck and for O&G companies designating…
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Cost Increases Cause Losses at HanseYacht Group
EUROPEAN REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Cost increases in several areas caused HanseYachts AG to report a loss of EUR 20.72 million (US$25 million) for the fiscal year 2021/2022 ended June 30, 2022. However, because of the great demand during the pandemic for sailing boats and fully complete order books, production increased from 446 to 568 boats, compared to the previous year.
Revenues totaled EUR 132,38 million, an increase of 22.8% compared to the previous fiscal year. But, at the same time, costs of materials increased 40.7%, personal expenses climbed 22% and other operating costs increased 58%. All this led to a net loss higher by 130.5% compared to the previous fiscal year.
The recent Covid-19 shutdown and worker absenteeism heavily impacted the finances of the group for fiscal year 2021/2022.
HanseYacht Group said it will not exhibit this year at BOOT, the biggest indoor pleasure boat trade show held in Dusseldorf, Germany.
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