Mercedes-Benz Focuses on Autonomous Driving Trucks

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Daimler has realigned the focus of Mercedes-Benz on autonomous driving. Instead of self-driving cars, trucks are now at the top of its priority list.

Dalibor Sablic
Dalibor Sablic

The German car maker initially planned to concentrate on autonomous cars, explained Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius in a conversation with journalists at the canceled Geneva Motor Show. The group believes that self-driving trucks are initially the more attractive area, says the Daimler boss, according to the news platform news.com.au.

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First FOTON Produced in New Brazil Plant

The first units of the 3.5-ton LCV have been assembled at the GEFCO Plant in Guaíba-RS as the company begins producing under a manufacturing contract for Foton.

Source: AutoData     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: 

Despite this news, the speed of the development of the new line will be reduced by COVID-19 and related factors, including the social restrictions and workforce mobility, the impact in the LCV segment and also the lack of parts from China, major part of the content of these Trucks.     PSR

China Delays Nationwide NS 6 Regulation

The Ecology and Environment Ministry is extending the transition period for OEMs and the sales period for NS 5 inventory products.

Source: China Central Television      Read The Article

PSR Analysis:

So here comes the impact of coronavirus for the industry.  But what we should bear in mind is that despite this latest news, the capital metro area, the Yangtze delta area and the Zhujiang River Delta area, three of the most prosperous areas in China, have already implemented NS 6 regulation. 

These regions can’t roll back their policy. If any OEMs not ready to go NS 6, they should do it now.  COVID-19 buys some time, but it won’t be so forever.    PSR

Qin Fen is Business Development Manager

John Deere Starts Grader Production in Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

John Deere announced the start of production of G series of Graders in Brazil in the coming months. It had previously imported these units. With the movement, John Deere will attend the South American Market with 90% of products made in Brazil.

Source: AutoData     Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  The decision of nationalization started in 2018 and makes more sense with recent local currency depreciation. With this movement, Deere will be more competitive in delivery time and it will have some room for margins and pricing variation, what will lead to a moderate growth of share in the market, what is already reflected in our databases forecast.

Tractor Companies Boost Output as September Sales Surge 80%

For 18 months, tractor factories were working on a single or 1.5 shift basis at best because of demand slowdown. With numbers picking up, factories now are moving to two or three shifts to hit 100% capacity utilization. The capacity is currently 9.5 lakh units on a two shift basis, but we can also go to three shifts if the demand holds up.      Read The Article

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PowerTALK™, February 2023

In This Issue

Read in the February 2023 issue of PowerTALK News about the 240 ton EV mining truck than can charge in 30 minutes. At the same time, Volvo unveils an electric mixer truck and Japanese OEMs push to develop battery production in North America.

  • Alternative Power
    • • 240 Ton Electric Mining Truck Charges in 30 Minutes
    • • Study Shows Plug-in Hybrids Dirtier Than We Thought
    • • From Diesel to DC
    • • Volvo Unveils Electric Concrete Mixer Truck
  • Global: MC Market Grows 5.48%
  • N. America: Charging Infrastructure Blocks Adoption for BEV’s
  • DataPoint: Dumpers/Tenders
  • Brazil/S. America:
    • • Hitech Electric To Produce 100% EV LCVs
    • • Hyundai Keeps Gamma Engine in Units for Colombia
    • • Legislation for AG Tractors Cabin in Brazil Has Changes
    • • January Truck Production in Brazil drops 72%
  • Europe: Deutz, Daimler Align
  • China: Adoption of New Energy Commercial Vehicles Pushed
  • Japan: OEMs Seek Battery Production Channel in NA
  • South Korea: Hyundai To Start Operations at Plant in Vietnam
  • SE Asia: Kubota Seeks Manpower
  • India: Budget Focuses on Capex

Foton To Produce Trucks in Brazil Again

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Foton says it will start producing Trucks in Guaíba-RS, in the facility formerly designated for his own factory. However, the production will be handled by GEFCO under a manufacturing contract, with parts imported from China. Previously, Foton assembled its trucks at the Agrale plant, also in Rio Grande do Sul state, to meet commitments made under government incentive programs. The number of models built here is likely to increase during the year, but no details have been disclosed.

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: At the same time Foton works on local production, it is working on adding about 50 dealers from Ford Trucks, which closed its operations in Brazil, to eliminate one of the biggest gaps to increase sales. The other gaps, such as reliability perception and spare parts availability, will take longer to be addressed, but we can see growth in sales and production of the Chinese OEM in Brazil, given more positive market conditions. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director-Business Development SA

CASE IH Posts Record Sales for Sugar Cane Harvesters in South America

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

CASE IH celebrates positive results in 2019 with 649 sugar cane harvesters sold in Brazil in 2019 being 50% made by CASE. Case points the share growth to the improvements made at the model A8000 that can make up to 15% on operational cost savings and robustness for those machines that operates over 4,000 hours per year.

Source: M&T     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Agricultural business remains strong. Despite lower sales of small tractors dedicated to small business due to lower credit, heavy production equipment sales remain strong because of record production of grains and other agricultural products. PSR

PowerTALK™ News, September 2020

The September issue of PowerTALK™ News includes several reports on alternative fuels, including a report on the global outlook for diesel engines, and reports on electrification moves at Generac, Tesla and boats. Here are the top articles contained in this issue:

  • NA: Generac Capitalizes on Change
  • NA: Tesla Offers Moves Ahead
  • NA: Electric Boats Gain Share
  • NA: US Combine Production
  • SA: Chile Bets on Hydrogen
  • Brazil: The Future of Diesel CVs
  • Taiwan: Self-Drive Bus Tested
  • Japan: OEMs Expand Hydrogen Network
  • South Korea: Doosan, Game Developers Collaborate
  • Vietnam: VinFast Enters Luxury Segment
  • India: Regulatory Changes Boost Autos
  • Russia: Western OEMs Push LNG
  • Russia: First EV Car Delayed
  • Russia: Mining Trucks Sold To India