Listen To New PSR PowerTALK Podcast

News: North America

2021-03-19

Listen To New PSR PowerTALK Podcast

Now, you can listen to the leading analysts and editors from Power Systems Research discuss the outlook for powertrain news each Tuesday by region and by targeted industry segments on PSR PowerTALK Podcast.

PSR PowerTALK podcasts include Forecasts by PSR analysts, interviews by PSR analysts with industry leaders and production reports on specific applications produced by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst at Power Systems Research.

You can listen to the PowerTALK podcasts on your favorite podcast provider or by visiting the Power Systems Research PowerTALK Podcast Archive on this website.

Visit the PSR PowerTALK Podcast Archive

2021-02-22

NA Electric Motorcycle Segment Growing

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Motorcycling in America is changing as industry leaders and new technology competitors are trying to attract newer/younger riders who want something different from Harley-Davidson’s big cruisers or screaming Japanese and European performance bikes.

The changes are in response to younger riders who are attracted to the efficiency and fun of two-wheel travel associated with e-motorcycles, while older riders are losing interest, or simply becoming unable to ride any longer.

At present, e-motorcycles remain a niche market. Riders are typically city dwellers in their early 40s–slightly younger than the average age of a U.S. motorcycle rider, which is 47, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council’s U.S. Motorcycle Owner Survey — and uses the bike to commute.

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Truck News: Ask The Expert

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

What changes do you see in the PSR Truck Production Index in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter of 2020?

Overall, we are seeing stronger momentum for commercial truck orders and sales which bode well for production in Q1 2021.

Supply chain issues will impact short term production as companies are still having difficulty with staffing numbers and various virus protocols that disrupt production. These problems are expected to continue throughout at least the first half of the year.

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2021-01-25

UAZ To Sell its Patriot SUV in USA Under the Brand Name “Bremach Taos”

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

UAZ plans to sell is Patriot SUV under the Bremach Taos brand in the US. It will be sold by a branch of Italian Company Bremach, which specializes in AWD special cars. Patriot is being upgraded to meet the standards required on US public roads.

Assembly is planned to be performed in California. The base cost of the SUV is expected to be about US$ 26,000. US modifications of the car will include an automatic transmission and 4-cylinder of 2.7 liter and 150hp. It will have 5-year general warranty and 10-year warranty on engine.

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2021-01-24

DATAPOINT: NA Dumpers/Tenders, 2020 Production, 1,559 Units

The 1,559 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Dumpers/Tenders to be produced in the U.S. in 2020.

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 62.5% of total units produced, Country Home Products leads in production of Dumpers/Tenders in North America.  In second position is Allen Engineering with 19.5%; third, Indy Equipment with 10.5%.  

Trends: Production of Dumpers/Tenders in NA increased nearly 5.5% in 2019 over 2018, but production is expected to drop 6% in 2020 from 2019.  The 2019 increase was based on the strong global economy along with the demand for new products in construction and mining related activities. 

The 2020 decline was caused by product saturation in the market and was somewhat related to COVID-19 shutdowns, even though consumers/contractors were still purchasing products. 

Dumper/Tenders, commonly referred to as a Power Buggy, are sought after pieces of equipment, much faster than a conventional wheelbarrow and accelerates job site related activities.  Expect production to increase up to 5% by 2025.    PSR

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

2021-01-22

NA Economic Outlook: Slower H1 2021, But Much Stronger H2 2021 Expected

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

SUMMARY.  In our previous forecasts, we have discussed some hope for a V-shaped recovery, it did not materialize.  Our conclusion was based on several factors, such as the current economic cycle, overall strength of the economy, fiscal policy, political landscape in the US and globally, etc. After managing through the early stages of the pandemic in H1 2020, we saw good trends in H2 2020 and we had reasons to be optimistic for a quick recovery.

However, the recovery took a slight pause during the last few months.  Unemployment continued to increase, and regional lockdowns prevented the necessary demand for a significant year-end growth.  Now that the elections are over, we’ll have yet to see what the new administration will be able to achieve during the next two years.  Specifically, if the long awaited infrastructure reform can be passed.  However, fiscal policy with near zero interest rates, which government has promised to keep in place for the near future, will provide a good platform for the economic recovery and allow us to look optimistically into 2021-2022.

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2020-12-21

Powersports Segment Growth Ignores COVID-19

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

While much of the North American economy slowed to a crawl after COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020, the powersports industry posted significant growth. Many people, weary of staying at home, found a cure for cabin fever while riding an off-road vehicle or experiencing socially distant spaces on trails. By all indications, the sales increase in powersports equipment has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise grim COVID-19 economy.

According to Jeremy Jansen, senior vice president of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking’s distribution financing business, “What started out as a slight uptick has just taken off to record sales levels,” he said. “Dirt bikes, ATVs, side by sides, personal transport vehicles — everything in the book is retailing well above prior year.” After plummeting briefly in mid-March amid the initial shutdown, powersports sales skyrocketed in the ensuing months.

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DataPoint: U.S. Trenchers, 2020 Production Estimate, 5,768 Units

The 5,768 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Trenchers to be produced in the U.S. in 2020.

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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2020-12-17

2020, A Year to Forget for MHV; 2021 Is Looking Better

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

SUMMARY: In this article we provide a global overview on a regional basis of the medium and heavy commercial vehicle market (GVWR > 6 MT’s) along with current trends and OEM happenings in North America.

NORTH AMERICA. MHCV production in North America is expected to decline by 35% in 2020 compared to 2019.  However, orders for class 8 trucks improved significantly in Q4 2020 as large fleets placed their orders for a 2021 build.  This appears to signal an improvement in demand for 2021 as the market aligns itself with the expected freight level moving forward.  The consumer segment was strong during the last half of the year and the industrial segment is now expected to improve, as well. 

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2020-12-01

PSR/JCB Power Systems Construction Outlook Webinar

On November 30th, Power Systems Research with JCB Power Systems presented a webinar providing the 2021 outlook for construction equipment production and engine emissions trends in North America, South America and Europe.

The presentation included the latest information on COVID-19 impacts on construction equipment production. JCB Power Systems provided details regarding emissions in developing engine technologies that are coming to market across the globe.

PSR-JCB Power Systems Construction Equipment OutlookDownload
PSR-JCB-Power-Systems-Construction-Equipment-OutlookDownload