Powersports Segment Growth Ignores COVID-19

News: Regions

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

2020-11-24

Hyundai’s Unmanned Cargo Plane Concept Aims for 2026

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Hyundai Motor Co. has begun developing an unmanned aircraft for cargo transport and has announced the concept of “air cargo” to be commercialized in 2026. The company is already developing a personal aerial vehicle (PAV) that will be responsible for moving people around in urban areas, and this technology will be applied to cargo transport aircraft. It is envisioned as a transport aircraft that will carry more cargo than drones carrying small cargo.

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Makita Engine Products To Be Discontinued in March 2022

Makita, a major power tool company, will discontinue the production of engine products such as engine mowers, engine chainsaws, and other engine products for garden equipment at the end of March 2022. The company will concentrate its resources on its mainstay rechargeable power tools and garden equipment, for which demand is expected to increase in the future. Annual sales of engine products account for less than 2% of the total.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: I visited Makita’s booth at the Agri Week exhibition in October. Engine models were not on exhibit and had been removed from their catalog. HIKOKI had the same situation. I forecast that battery models will account for more than 95% of the total hand tool market in 2021.

This is a sign that battery models have evolved to a level comparable to engine models, even in the power-demanding products. The engine model has a better ability in terms of long hours of continuous operation, but this is not a reason to extend the life of the engine model. Long working hours can be done by simply replacing the batteries. The fact that these batteries can be shared across a wide range of products, from chainsaws to impact drivers, has prompted the company to seek user understanding by introducing sales methods that offer lower unit prices when multiple batteries are purchased at once.   PSR

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

First Electric Highway Buses Start Operation in Southern Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Intercity transportation of passengers by highway buses started in a new phase with the beginning of the operation of the first full electric plug in bus.   It is  Marcopolo Viaggio 1050 bus, assembled on BYD D9A 20.410 chassis, operated by Turis Silva. This initiative is also supported by EDP Smart, a division of Energy Solutions of EDP, a company of the electrical segment.

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Columbia Auto Market Maintains Growth Curve

The Colombian auto market has retained its growth curve in October by posting sales of 20,900 units, up 13.3% compared to September, a month which also grew 39% above August. Data source:   Andemos

The Andemos said this recovery is due to the increase of procurement for “safe transportation” as well as reopening of the economy and ending of personal isolation.

According to Andemos, if no new measures requiring isolation are taken, then the reduction compared to 2019 will be around 30%

Source: Autodata     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: As we stated in our Q3 2020 update forecast, Colombia is one of the countries most severely affected by COVID-19. It is very good to know that Colombia is restarting its growth cycle. PSR

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