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  • Scania Tests Euro VI Engine in Brazil

    SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

    The 13 liters with Scania Twin SCR aftertreatment developed in Sweden is tested in Brazil for the new Proconve P8 products, already in place for new models and mandatory for all models by January 2023. The homologation process at IBAMA is already advanced but may show adaption needs to Brazilian environment. This engine is part of a completely new powertrain and brakes system with higher efficiency and lower emission. The power range vary from 420 to 560 hp and it is prepared…

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  • Embraer/Eve Formalizes Flying Car Register

    SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

    Eve Urban Air Mobility, the branch of aircraft giant Embraer, says it has started the process to register its eVTOL, Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing, vehicle at ANAC, the Brazilian bureau for aircraft certification and tied to international bureaus. Getting this documentation is the most important step for starting its commercial operation programmed for 2026. With this certification Eve will meet international standards of air navigation and safety.

    Source: Automotive Business…

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  • Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen Maritime Propulsion System Being Developed

    EUROPE REPORT
    Natasa Mulahalilovic
    Natasa Mulahalilovic

    Germany-based Torqeedo GmbH and Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH are jointly developing a hydrogen hybrid propulsion system for the marine industry. The ambitious and innovative project is provisionally named “Ma-Hy-Hy” (Marine Hydrogen Hybrid) and is funded by the Bavarian federal government until 2024.

    Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH specializes in a high-tech innovative, climate neutral energy solutions,  especially in CO2-neutral and emission-free hydrogen fuel cells and electric hybrid systems for stationary, automotive, rail and maritime applications. Development and production sites are located in the Munich area.

    Torqeedo GmbH, as a part of the Deutz group, is a market leader in development and production of lithium batteries, solar charging equipment, electric and hybrid drives. It offers outboards and inboards, electric motors and hybrid drive systems ranging from 0,5 to 100 kW on motor level (up to 200 kW on system level).

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  • DATAPOINT: 2022 North America Production Estimate, Harvesters 460 Units

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    460 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of agricultural harvesters to be produced in the U.S. during 2022.

    This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

    Market Share:  With 48.5% of total units produced, Deere leads in production of Harvesters in the U.S.  In second position is Oxbo International’s combined plant totals of 24%; third, is Flory with 10.5%. 

    Exports: Collectively, up to 1% worldwide.

    Trends: In 2021, production of Harvesters in NA increased 13%.  Production is expected to gain another 3% in 2022.  The Ag industry has fluctuated in recent years and demand for new products declined a few years ago due to falling commodity prices.  Farmers couldn’t afford new equipment and spent years refurbishing existing units.

    Currently, it appears that growers are moving from hand to machine harvesting.  They are increasingly using over-the-row mechanical harvesters to pick produce and like commodities.  Especially during COVID times, this type of machinery reduces the need for manual labor during labor shortages.  The increase in harvester production is also attributed to the desire for new machinery that increases productivity and profitability. 

    Expect production to fluctuate over the next 3-5 years with an increase of 5% by 2025.   PSR

    Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Research

  • NA Medium and Heavy EV Market In Early Testing

    Chris Fisher
    Chris Fisher

    Q. What is the current state of electric vehicle technology globally as well as the U.S.?
    A.     From a medium and heavy truck perspective, electric trucks are still in the early stages of testing, and it will still be a few years before we know if the current technology will be effective.  Transit or city buses are much further along in the process since these are largely not for profit vehicles and have more dedicated routes that allow for more consistent recharge. 

    China is probably the furthest along with electric bus adoption with almost half of all medium and heavy buses produced being electric.  While electrified bus adoption in North America and Europe is not nearly as strong as China, demand is increasing.  In North America, natural gas buses (CNG and Propane) are currently the alternative fuel of choice.  However, government mandates will likely force bus electrification over the next decade or so.

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  • North American Economy Should Be Strong in 2022 But Grow at Slower Pace

    Yosyf Sheremeta
    Yosyf Sheremeta

    SUMMARY.  2021 was a year of big hopes for economic recovery and pandemic management, and, overall, the economic rebound was strong.  Looking at the state of the economy in general, and the key economic indicators such as GDP, interest rates, employment levels, etc., the North America market finished the year on a very high note. At the same time, development of new pandemic variants as well as ongoing issues with supply chains have led to manufacturing issues.

    The second half of 2021 brought steady economic activities and strong economic recovery.  Despite this strong performance, many existing and new challenges were seen.  Problems from pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, logistics backlogs, and semiconductor shortages to new virus variations and labor market issues have contributed to slower growth in Q4 2021 than during the first half of last year. 

    Let’s break it down.  The “Great Resignation” means companies must make themselves more attractive to new hires, and it provides those workers who remain more leverage to change corporate cultures from the inside.

    With help of government support and targeted fiscal policies, the US economy showed a strong comeback in 2021.  Furthermore, the growth trajectory is well positioned to continue to expand into the next few years, however, at much slower pace, than in 2021. 

    At the same time, there are many reasons for us to be optimistic about this trend.  Our positive outlook is based on the reviews of key economic indicators, including GDP, unemployment, and inflation.  In our previous forecasts, we discussed recovery trends for the post-pandemic period, and called for a return of demand for most markets in 2021.   Last year, we witnessed a strong level of activities and an economic  rebound for

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  • Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) Loses 37%

    and
    Jim Downey
    Jim Downey
    Chris Fisher
    Chris Fisher

    ST. PAUL, MN — The Q4 2021 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 116 to 120, or 3.4%, for the three-month period ended December 31,2021, from Q3 2021. The year-over-year (Q4 2020 to Q4 2021) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 190 to 120, or -37%.

    The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan and Korea and Emerging Markets.

    This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database…

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  • PowerTALK™, February 2022

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    Read about new partnerships set up to develop alternative power sources in the February issue of PowerTALK News. Also in this issue is a report on 2021 global truck production, several articles on hydrogen fuel cell development, and a North American economic forecast by Yosyf Sheremeta, PhD.

    Inside:

    • North America:
      • Economic Outlook
      • Commercial EV Update
    • Global: 2021 Truck Production
    • DataPoint: US Harvesters
    • Europe: Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen
    • South America
      • Flying Car Registration Added
      • Scania Tests Euro VI Engine
      • Funding For Low Emissions
    • China: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plant
    • Japan: Yamaha Adds Electric M/C
    • South Korea: Doosan Bobcat
    • Plans Electric T7X for NA
    • Southeast Asia: PTT-Hon Hai To
    • Produce EVs
    • India: Budget Pushes EVs and
    • Infrastructure
    • Russia:
      • New Engine for Grain Combines
      • UAZ To Supply Hyundai and Kia
      • Joint Car Production Set

  • Q4 2021 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) Loses 37%

    and
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    St. Paul, MN (January 25, 2022)— The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 116 to 120, or 3.4%, for the three-month period ended December 31, 2021, from Q3 2021. The year-over-year (Q4 2020 to Q4 2021) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 190 to 120, or -37%.

    The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan and Korea and Emerging Markets.

    This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research.

    Global Index: We expect global production volumes in 2022 to gain 3.7% vs 2021, with a positive trend in all regions, except for China, where we expect production volumes to be down -3.6% in 2022 vs 2021.  China experienced a surge in demand during 2020 due to the change in emissions regulations, so 2021 was down significantly, about 20%. 

    All Regions: Global demand for Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHV) rebounded in 2021 but overall growth in the segment was flat.  Going forward, we expect the growth to accelerate in 2022 and 2023.   The exceptions to this rebound trend are in China and India, which continue to decline and sharply drive overall global production numbers into negative territory. 

    North America: While supply chain disruptions continue to negatively impact the commercial vehicle market, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to finish 2021 15.8% higher than 2020.  The forecasted production growth rate is expected to continue to show improvement through 2023 as supply chain disruptions ease and truck capacity in the market begins to align with demand.  The disruption in the supply chain and on-going issues with COVID will continue to impact the market in 2022.

    Europe: Medium and heavy truck production is expected to finish up 17% over 2020.  While the truck segment showed solid improvement over a low production base in 2020, bus demand was still soft in 2021.  In 2022, production is expected to grow by 8% and continue to improve through 2024.  However, continued supply chain disruptions and possible negative impacts from COVID will likely continue through much of 2022.

    South Asia: Medium and heavy commercial vehicle production in India is expected to finish 2021 at about 287,000 vehicles, an increase of 70% over 2020. Slight demand growth in India is expected in 2022 and 2023 before declining in 2024 partially due to it being an election year. In India, the focus is moving toward more infrastructure spending which is good for the vocational market. However, increasing use of rail freight, worker shortages and increasing commodity prices will slow truck demand during the next few years.

    South America: Medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to increase by 55.6% in 2021 over 2020, and production is expected to further increase by 10.4% in 2022 over 2021.  Continued supply chain disruptions along with uncertainty regarding the Omicron COVID variant will likely impact the market throughout the year.

    Japan/Korea: Medium and heavy commercial vehicle production in Japan and South Korea is expected to increase by 16.7% in 2021 over 2020.  In 2022, production levels for the region are expected to grow by 4.7% over 2021.  Automotive production in Japan is starting to see improvement with strong gains over October and November.  While this is good news, the supply chain issues have yet to be resolved and the Omicron COVID variant will likely pose challenges throughout the year.  Component costs are expected to rise this year because of supplier’s air freighting parts that they are unable to ship by sea.

    Greater China: The medium and heavy commercial vehicle market declined by approximately 20% in 2021 over 2020 partially due to a truck pre-buy ahead of the China VI emission standard implementation in July 2021.  The cost of the emission technology for China VI vehicles are not offset with any significant improvement in fuel economy.  In 2022, the market will still be unstable as the covid virus continues to impact the economy.  Demand is expected to decline slightly through 2023 before a slow recovery in 2024.  

    The next update of the Power Systems Research TPI will be in April 2022 and will reflect changes in the TPI during Q1 2022.  PSR

    Jim Downey is Vice President – Global Data Products at Power Systems Research and Chris Fisher is Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research.

  • KAMAZ Launches 720 hp Engine

    RUSSIA REPORT

    PowerTALK, January 2022

    Maxim Sakov
    Maxim Sakov

    KAMAZ said it is installing new 6-cylinder engines working on methane gas and having 720 HP on its trucks. Switching to NG fuel is one of the main trends of the Russian automotive giant. It builds Inline 6 and V8 engines

    Inline 6 cylinders engine will be made in several versions but the 720 hp will be available in the top model only. For the economy segment, the OEM will offer a 450 hp engine;  the price of this model will be significantly cheaper.…

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