News: PowerTALK

2021-04-25

China-led Proton Is Revitalized

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Sales of Malaysia’s national carmaker Proton are booming, with its market share in the country reaching 27.3 % in February, hot on the heels of another national carmaker, Produa’s 38.8 %. This is not a single month irregularity; for the full year 2020, the rate is 20.5%. For the full year 2020, the share is 20.5%, almost doubling in just two years from a record low of 10.8% in 2018. This is the first time in seven years that the market share has recovered to the 20% level.

The turning point of the turnaround offensive was a capital/business alliance with a Chinese manufacturer: in September 2017, the company accepted a 49.9% stake from Geely Automobile’s parent company and began importing the right-hand drive version of the X70 SUV, which it produces and sells in China, at the end of 2018. As soon as this became a hit, the company switched to domestic assembly in Malaysia at the end of 2019, and introduced an additional small SUV, the X50, in September 2020.

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Hyundai Group Seals Doosan Infracore Deal

Media outlets in Korea are reporting that Hyundai Heavy Industries is to acquire a 34.97% share in Doosan Infracore from Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction for €630 million (Korean Won 850 billion). Doosan Infracore is the heavy construction division of the Seoul-headquartered Doosan Group.

The transaction does not include Doosan Bobcat, which accounted for 57% of Infracore’s 2019 revenues. The deal will mean that Hyundai will own Hyundai Construction Equipment as well as the Doosan Infracore construction equipment business. Regulatory authorities in South Korea and other countries including China must approve the acquisition; plans call for completion of the acquisition by the third quarter of 2021.

Source: International Construction.com

PSR Analysis: This appears to be a strategy by Hyundai Heavy Industries to gain economies of scale by bringing Hyundai Construction Machinery and Doosan Infracore into the fold, and to expand its market share, especially in the Chinese market.

Hyundai Heavy Industries has positioned the construction machinery division as its core business, the third pillar after shipbuilding and plants. Demand for construction machinery is strong in China, India, and Southeast Asia, and the company is hastening its overseas expansion by expanding its scale through acquisitions in the same industry. Chinese companies such as XCMG and Sany are growing rapidly, supported by domestic demand. Hyundai Heavy Industries seems to have decided that deepening its cultivation of the Chinese market through the acquisition of Doosan’s business is essential for its survival.

On the other hand, Doosan Heavy Industries has been in the red for six consecutive fiscal years through 2019, as its mainstay heavy electric machinery division has been underperforming due to the government’s policy of freezing nuclear power plants. While receiving support from government-affiliated financial institutions, the company has been selling off its non-core businesses in order to rebuild its business. So far, the company has sold off businesses including construction companies, real estate, and hydraulic equipment. Once this sale is completed, the company is expected to be able to achieve a certain degree of financial improvement. PSR

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

Brazil OEMs Forecast CE Sales Growth of 20% in 2021

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Volvo CE and Case Construction are aligned to affirm CE sales in Brazil will grow 20% in 2021 despite of the effects of the pandemic. With 18% growth of sales in Q1 2021 over the same quarter of 2020, CE executives are optimistic about full year sales.

Source: M&T      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: First quarter of 2020 was a strong sales quarter over 2019 because the pandemic impact was not present until March 16, 2020.

This makes the result of Q1 2021 18% above Q1 2020 really strong and makes executives optimistic about FY 2021 results. In addition to that, the foundation of the segment is robust, with the construction industry activity growing because of strong housing demand, infrastructure bids being restarted and mining growing significantly.    PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director-Business Development, South America, for Power Systems Research

Argentina Forces OEMs and Supply Chain To Produce at Full Capacity

In an effort to reduce the domestic economic impact of the pandemic, the Argentinian government has published an order that makes all industry with annual revenue above US$ 41 Million to produce at full capacity. If not, they will be fined.

Source: Automotive Business    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: As the Argentinian government sees a shortage of industrial products and related price escalation, it identifies reduced OEM production as the main cause of these shortages. However, it underestimates the effects of supply chain constraints and even labor constraints caused by the pandemic.

We do not believe the decree will result in higher production, and we believe the order will be reviewed in a short time. Meanwhile, this is an issue companies will have to deal with, including the over planning it should result. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director-Business Development, South America, for Power Systems Research

MWM Launches Family of NG Engines

MWM Engines and Power Gen, part of the Navistar group, has announced the launch of a new line of Acteon Engines powered by Natural Gas. The engine family has been developed in Brazil and features 4 cylinders and 6 cylinders with 4.8L and 7.2L displacement.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With this move, MWM meets Power Gen customers demand or NG powered Gen Sets and increases portfolio to attend OEMs aiming to launch NG powered vehicles and equipment without investment in Engines Development. As NG becomes a competitive and cleaner fuel alternative for Brazil, MWM put the bets on the right place to attend better the customers demand. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development-South America, for Power Systems Research

MAN Marine Engines Certified To Operate Globally

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

MAN Energy Solutions, one of the leading marine engine manufacturers in the range between 730 and 2000 hp (5370 to 1397 kW), says that all of its engines now comply to the globally required major current emissions standards.

All engine models from i8-730 to V12-2000 are certified with the US EPA Tier III, the EU IMO Tier II and RCD 2013/53/EC. The current China Marine Recreational Stage I standard has been upgraded to the Stage II based on the US Tier III standard requirements.

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NA Powersports EV Update

Read the complete report in April PowerTALK™ News

EDITOR’S NOTE. Power Systems Research tracks the global trend of electrification of industrial equipment. This is one of a series of reports on these trends.

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Polaris INDUSTRIES, Minneapolis, is planning to debut a new electric Ranger utility side-by-side in December 2021. The Ranger will be the first electric vehicle Polaris has developed through their partnership with Zero Motorcycles. 

The electric Ranger is the first product in Polaris’s long-term plan to accelerate its leadership in powersports electrification. Production will take place in Polaris’s Huntsville, AL facility.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), which owns popular brands such as Can-Am, Rotax, Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo, plans to offer electric models in each of its product lines by the end of 2026. The company is investing $300 million in product development and production facilities.

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Fastest NA Economic Growth Expected Since 1980s

Read the complete report in April PowerTALK™ News.

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

(April 1, 2021)–After the GDP declined 3.5% last year, the worst performance in almost 75 years, the US economy is set for a strong comeback.  In fact, we could see GDP growth exceeding 6% this year.

There are many reasons to be optimistic about 2021.  Strong readings of macro-economic factors combined with the economic cycle reset backed by the government initiatives and policies support our estimates for the current year and beyond. 

Our positive outlook is based on the reviews of the key economic indicators, including GDP, unemployment, and inflation.   In our previous forecasts, we discussed recovery trends for the post-pandemic period, stating a return of demand for most markets in 2021, especially during H2 2021.  

Based on our analysis of the expected growth trend and the economic reviews in major publications, we think US growth can surpass the growth level from 1984 – the highest one since 1950s. 

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2021-03-23

DATAPOINT: Global Snowmobiles, 2021 Production, 107,250 Units

107,250 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Snowmobiles to be produced in Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. in 2021.

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.

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2021-03-22

Production of Diesel Engines Started in Kaluga

PSMA Rus plant, located in Kaluga, Russia, has made first testing sample of ned DV6 motor.

First engine was produced in February. Engine production in the plant was set according to obligations for product localization, written in the contract with Russian government.

Turbocharged DV6-EL engines have 1,6-liter volume. They will be set to LCV models, produced on Kaluga’s plant.

PSMA plant in Kaluga makes Peugeot, Citroen, Mitsubishi cars for Russian market. The production started in 2010.

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PSR Analysis. If the project succeeds, it will be smallest mass produced diesel engine in Russia. Whereas EU countries are trying to cut off diesel powertrain production, Russia invites it into the country.   PSR