Datapoint: 2021 Grader

Today, PSR PowerTALK Editor Joe Delmont presents the Power Systems Research 2021 North American Grader production outlook. We estimate that North American grader production this year will reach 2325 units; up about 8% from 2020 levels. This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, senior analyst-global operations, at Power Systems Research.

Transcript 

Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast, produced by Power Systems Research. 

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GWM Opens Smart factory in Thailand, Renovates GM’s Factory

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

China’s Great Wall Motor (GWM) has announced the official opening of a plant in Thailand. The company acquired the plant from General Motors (GM) in 2020 and has been working to make it smarter by installing advanced AI-based equipment. It is the company’s first smart factory to be opened in Southeast Asia. The amount of investment for the renovation has not been disclosed, but the company has indicated that it plans to invest 22.6 billion baht (about 79 billion yen) in Thailand.

The production capacity is 80,000 units per year, and it is expected to produce HVs first. In the future, the plant will also produce EVs. The company plans to allocate 60% of the vehicles produced to the Thai domestic market and 40% for export to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and Australia.

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SK Plans To Develop Hydrogen Base in Ulsan

South Korea’s SK Group has announced plans to build a 140,000 square meter hydrogen fuel base in Ulsan. A liquid hydrogen production plant will be built, and a hydrogen-fueled power plant will also be constructed.

With the participation of Lotte Chemical, the project aims to promote the accumulation of hydrogen-related industries in the city. SK Gas will be the main proponent of the project. The company plans to invest 2.2 trillion won (about 216 billion yen) over the next five years to build infrastructure for the generation, storage, and transportation of hydrogen energy in anticipation of its widespread use, and has also announced plans to build 100 hydrogen filling stations in South Korea by 2030.

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Komatsu and Honda Plan To Jointly Develop Electric Excavator

Komatsu has announced that it plans to develop an electric excavator in cooperation with Honda and bring the product to the market during FY2021. The two companies will also jointly develop electric excavators up to the 1-ton class and will also collaborate on services such as battery replacement for construction equipment.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: As mentioned in the April issue of PowerTALK™ News, four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, have agreed to share the same battery specifications for electric motorcycles. The joint development announced this time will benefit from Honda’s knowledge from its extensive battery research. The interchangeable type has the advantage of shortening the waiting time for recharging, which is an advantage for construction equipment. Japan’s small construction equipment is highly regarded worldwide, and Komatsu must be looking to expand overseas. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research

Rostselmash Starts Building Tractor Plant in Rostov-Don

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Russia’s largest maker of AG machines – Rostselmash Group of Companies – in July 2021 starts construction of a tractor plant located near Rostselmash’s main production site. Rostselmash plans to invest US$ 66 million (5 Bln Rubles).

Construction must be completed within two years, and the plant will reach its annual production capacity of 3,000 units in 2023.

The plant will consist of a production building of 62,000 sq. meters, and a building for engineering and commercial departments. Total territory of new plant will reach 14 hectares. Rostselmash plans to assemble five tractor models with rigid and articulated frame.

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Aurus Car Powered by Hydrogen Created in Russia

NAMI (Automorive Research Institute) has developed a prototype Aurus car powered by hydrogen fuel, according to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Manturov during the launch of mass production of the Aurus Senat model. According to the minister, this is the only project in the world in the premium car segment.

The price of base Aurus car will be US$ 240,000 (18 million Rubles). Next year it’s planned to start mass production of Aurus Commendant SUV.

Mass production just started in Elabuga. Production capacity of the plant is up to 5,000 cars per year.

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PSR Analysis: Aurus is a top luxury car model, developed in Russia by NAMI. It’s used by the Russian president and top State officials during protocol events, including parades, ceremonial receptions and visits. It has a look similar to the Rolls-Royce Phantom and is equipped with a domestic hybrid 600 hp motor. It’s unknown whether the hydrogen modification will come to serial production. PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant-Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

Tonar Shows First Articulated Dump Truck

The development of this truck was conducted with support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Ministry subsidized R&D expenses of US$ 800,000 (60 million Rubles).

The model, called “Tonar-35” reflects the number of tons of cargo it can lift. It has an Cummins QSZ13 engine of 450hp/2100N.m. As an option, it’s possible to install a YAMZ-6585 of 420hp. It has an automatic transmission Allison 4500. Besides engines and some reductors, the T-35 is all assembled of Russian components.

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Second Wave COVID Will Have Limited Impact on India Ag Sector

Aditya Kondejkar

“COVID-19 cases started spreading in the rural areas with the beginning of the month of May, and agriculture activity in the month of May is bare minimal, particularly land-based activities,” says Niti Aayog Member (Agriculture) Ramesh Chand.

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PSR Analysis: The second wave of COVID-19 started spreading in the rural areas in May 2021, but agriculture activities in May are minimal, and are mainly land-based activities. Agri activities peak in March or the middle of April, after which it drops significantly and again peaks with the arrival of monsoon.

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Taiwan Pushing into Next-Generation EV Battery Development

Erik Martin
Erik Martin

TAIPEI. As electric vehicle (EV) development becomes a global effort, batteries that play a vital role to EVs’ cost-performance ratios are a focus to manufacturers with ambitions to expand in the EV market…

Taiwan’s battery industry may not be backed by well-known brands and abundant natural resources. Nevertheless, a large part of Taiwan-based battery suppliers have been assembling battery modules for Taiwan’s ICT industry. For example, Simplo, Dynapack and Celxpert with a long-term focus on manufacturing battery modules for consumer electronics such as notebook only started to set foot in EV battery solutions in recent years…

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Rio de Janeiro Plans 100% Electric Buses by 2050

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro has announced a package of alternative power measures and goals with two important milestones for 2030 and 2050. Here are the main goals affecting the mobility and transportation industry:

2030

  • Replace 20% of Public Service of Bus Transportation by Zero Emission Vehicles.
  • Reduce by 10% the average time of commuting by public transportation.
  • Increase by 400% the number of trips by bicycle.  
  • Reduce by 20% the emission of GHG.
  • Reach 100% of city regions with selective refuse collection.

2050

  • Neutralize GHG emission
  • 100% of the Transit Bus Fleet is Electric.

Source: Diario do Transporte    Read The Article

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