OEM Off-Highway Magazine: Heavy Equipment Markets See Improvement in 2021

Off-road equipment markets are expected to see a slight recovery from the devastating effects of COVID-19 in 2021, according to a report prepared by Power Systems Research that appeared in the October 2020 issue of OEM Off-Highway magazine.

One segment, the construction equipment market in North America has been riding a strong economy over the past few years. The segment was due for a slowdown; however, current worldwide economic conditions have caused a rapid cycle to reset in the construction industry. Government is committed to support the demand in the sector by investing heavily into infrastructure. We have yet to see any new level of demand, but we expect to see signs of the new normal in H2 2020 and early 2021. PSR

Iveco Sets Record Sales of NG Trucks in Argentina

After selling 35 NG Trucks in Chile, Iveco announced the sale of 100 Stralis NP Cursor 13 NGs in Argentina for a supplier to O&G industry in the Southern country.     

Source:    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The acceptance from customers helps to remove a barrier to NG sales, transforming this technology from a Trend to a reality. NG was formerly more deployed in Buses than in Trucks. With the experience of fleet owners, the technology will gain scale rapidly in South America countries and accelerate the volumes in South American markets. PSR

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

Hyundai Plant in St Petersburg To Reduce Production by 15%

Hyundai plans to reduce annual production by 15% at its St Petersburg plant, according to plant director A. Kossack. As he notes, production volume at the plant has dropped significantly this year: in H1 2020, the plant produced only 73,000 cars, 25% of its production capacity.

Taking into consideration September’s output of 24,000 cars, total production volume through the end of the year should reach about 200,000 vehicles, almost 15% below the 2019 results. The plant has just returned to a three-shift working schedule. During the post-quarantine period, the plant working on a two-shift basis, making 700 cars per day. 

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PSR Analysis: It appears that the most pessimistic forecasts for the passenger car market to drop 40-50% are not going to be realized. Despite this outlook, Hyundai remains positive about the Russian market, and plans to start engine production here in 2021.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant, Russia, for Power Systems Research

Russia To Start Making Diesel Engines for Passenger Cars

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Today, there is no mass production of diesel engines for passenger cars in Russia. Production of the last such project, the turbodiesel ZMZ-514 for UAZ SUV, was halted several years ago.

But next year Russia will resume mass production of diesel engines for passenger cars. The PSMA Rus plant in Kaluga will make 1.6-liter diesels of the DV6 family, designed by French PSA. The production start is planned for mid-2021.

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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

Daimler India Adopts Aggressive Dealer Strategy

Daimler India, which recently set up 10 new touchpoints, plans to have at least 350 dealerships across India in the next two years as it looks to deepen market penetration.

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In September, DICV announced plans to grow its BharatBenz dealer network by 10%, exceeding 250 outlets by the end of 2020. With the opening of these new touchpoints, the company moves a step closer to cutting the distance between dealerships from 160 km to 120 km. The company is expanding strategically. The touchpoints are located on leading national and state highways, improving DICV’s golden quadrilateral coverage.

Along with increasing domestic reach, the company is focusing on the export market. Post announcement of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, the company plans to invest in the country. The new investment could be used to increase the localization levels of components to avail the PLI. Furthermore, India has moved to BS-VI norms (equivalent euro 6 norms), it will be relatively easier for the company to cater to domestic as well as an export market with the same engines (with few moderations).   PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations – for Power Systems Research

Increased Utilization Fees for Vehicles Planned

Russian authorities plan to increase vehicle utilization fees in 2021, according to automotive sources.

Utilization fees could be increased by as much as 25-30% for all types of vehicles, including special machinery, according to industry sources. This measure would be accompanied by a comparable devaluation of the national currency, which would reduce trade barriers.

Utilization fees were implemented in 2012. It was always considered as a compensation of Custom’s tax reduce after Russia’s entry into WTO. It was set in Russian Rubles. Initially, the fees were paid by the importers only. However, they later were expanded to everybody, but then local OEMs started receiving industrial subsidies, compensating for this fee.

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PSR Analysis: With reduced tax collection and increased State expenses in 2020, Russian authorities are seeking sources to compensate for income losses. Increasing utilization fees is one way to do this.    PSR

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

Weichai Takes 60% Stake in Agricultural Equipment Maker

Qin Fen
Qin Fen

Weichai Holding Group Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese powertrain manufacturer, has acquired a controlling stake in Lovol, one of the country’s major agricultural equipment makers.

Source: Xinhua News Agency    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: People look up to leading companies in industry because often times they are not just leading the trend, they are also setting an example of weathering the storm during crisis.

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Norway May Block Acquisition of Bergen Engines Plant

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The Department of National Security of Norway may block the purchase of engine OEM Bergen Engines belonging to Rolls-Royce by Russian Transmash-Holding. According to Justice Minister of Norway Monica Melan, the acquisition may be a threat to national security. The deal is estimated at €150 million. According to the minister, it’s necessary to suspend a deal to collect information for making a final decision.

Bergen Engines was founded in 1946. Since then, the company delivered more than 7,000 engines, 5,000 of them still operating. Current personnel number is 900 people.

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Mercedes Announces BEV Bus for Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Mercedes says it has committed an investment of US$ 20 million for the launch of the eO500U, the first electric bus by the German OEM, the market leader in Brazil. Roberto Leoncini, Sales Director said that Mercedes opted for beginning the electrification of the MHV segment by the Bus products because it has higher impact on the population.

One of the key drivers for this launch is the new legislation for São Paulo city that aims to convert 50% of the fleet to electric by 2027. This means 7,000 electric buses will be sold by 2027. Sales forecast starts with 50 to 150 units by 2022.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With new legislation, OEMs rush for e-bus chassis launch to keep market share. Meanwhile, BYD celebrates the opportunity to grow with the lack of competitors, but it needs an improved in business model and strategic aspects to grow. PSR

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