COVID-19 Cuts Results at Harley-Davidson, Polaris

Harley-Davidson Q1 2020 Sales Plunge 15.5%

Harley-Davidson said US sales were up 6.6% in the quarter before the pandemic ground the economy to a halt in mid-March. But sales wound up plunging 15.5% in America compared to a year ago and 20.7% internationally. Overall revenue slipped 8% from last year’s first quarter.

For the quarter, Harley-Davidson posted earnings of $69.7 million compared with $127.9 million in the same period a year ago.

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Harley-Davidson’s share in the U.S. heavyweight motorcycle market share was down 2.2 percentage points, to 48.9% and the company’s share of the heavyweight motorcycle market in Europe was 7.6% in the first quarter.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Harley has reduced planned capital spending, frozen hiring, temporarily reduced salaries, eliminated merit increases for employees in 2020 and changed the timing of new product launches in order to preserve $250 million in 2020.

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Tesla Cuts Prices of China-Made Cars

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Taking advantage of new battery options and big government subsidies, Tesla has slashed its Model 3 prices in China. The company’s Chinese website is now advertising a base price for the popular battery-electric sedan of 249,900 yuan, or roughly $36,800.

While this is big news for the company in its efforts to remain dominant in the Chinese market, U.S. consumers won’t be affected…at least, not yet

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New Wave of COVID-19 Cuts Brazil Motorcycle Production by 50%

Manaus-AM had the biggest impact of COVID 19 in Brazil and it is where Honda and other Motorcycle OEMs have production plants. Honda, responsible for over 80% of the production, had to stop twice in January due to the pandemic effects. The consequence is that the production in January 2021 fell by 50% when compared with January 2020 and by 27% when compared with December 2020.

Source: Press Release      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The demand for motorcycles remains high and the forecast is 10% growth over 2020. These stops are punctual. Volumes should be recovered as pandemic effects slow down during 2021 with the vaccines and the growth forecast is kept so far.   PSR

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

Brazil Cuts Taxes on Production of Several Segments

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

Taxes on Industrialized Products (IPI) will be reduced by 25% for most of industrialized goods, in a Governmental effort to boost Industry production. The total impact in federal revenue will be US$ 5 billion in 2022.

Source: M&T     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This should affect positively sales and profitability in all engine powered segments. However, profitability should be more impacted than volume. Construction Equipment should have the higher impact as well as spare parts.   PSR

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

Ford Transit To Be Produced in Uruguay and Sold in Brazil

Ford announced this month the production of the LCV Transit in Uruguay; it will be sold in South America countries, mainly Brazil. The LCV will be built in partnership with Nordex, which belongs to the Antelo group. Both companies have invested around US$ 50 million and the project will create 200 jobs.  Nordex has extensive experience in the Uruguay market producing heavy trucks and passenger cars.

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Ford Ends Production of Troller

Even though Ford has announced the end of production of the off-road Troller T4 in Horizonte, Ceará, Brazil, by September 2021, the secretary of industrial development of Ceará says that while Ford is working to sell the productive unit, it wants to keep the brand and the product design as its property. Government of the state is trying to change Ford executives mind about the decision.

Source: Autoespoerte / O Globo    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Troller T4 holds an important share of the sports outdoor market niche and can be explored by specialized players. The product holds an important reputation among off-road lovers and the end of production will make a hole in the product lineup aimed at these people.   PSR

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

Ford, Argo AI, and Walmart Plan Autonomous Vehicle Delivery Service in Three U.S. Cities

John Krzesicki
John-Krzesicki

The way we deliver products from point A to point B is changing. This transformation is creating new partnerships, with implications affecting more than just the transportation industry.

Our team at Power Systems Research provides market intelligence to companies working in and around transportation and mobility functions.

Ford Motor Company, Argo AI, and Walmart are working together to launch an autonomous vehicle delivery service in Miami, Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C. — Walmart’s first multi-city autonomous delivery collaboration in the U.S. The last-mile delivery service will use Ford self-driving test vehicles equipped with the Argo AI Self-Driving System to deliver Walmart orders.

The collaboration brings together a self-driving technology provider with an automotive manufacturer able to integrate that technology with vehicles at scale, plus the world’s largest retailer.

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Ford Announces US$ 580 Million Investment in Argentina

This investment is dedicated to the new generation of Ford Ranger, produced in Pacheco at the Great Buenos Aires since 1998. 70% of the investment will be for production facilities and 30% in the new product line development.

Source: Valor Economico     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The production in Argentina is mainly for export. The main market for Ranger pickups is Brazil where they will compete with the GM S10 produced in Brazil and the Toyota Hi Lux produced in Argentina.    PSR

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

Ford Automotive Plant Sold To Korean Sungwoo Hitech

RUSSIA REPORT

The South Korean company Sungwoo Hitech, a manufacturer of auto components that is part of the Hyundai group, has purchased an abandoned Ford plant in Vsevolzhsk.

Details of the deal have not disclosed. However, the plant, which is partly stripped and which has been idle for two years, is being sold for US$ 20 million, a total considered to be far below market value.

For now, the new owner said it is not planning to resume car production there, but the company said it is going to rehab the plant and start production in 2023. Sungwoo Hitech said at this time it plans to invest about US$ 70 million and employ 520 people. Production capacity will be about 265,000 units per year.

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Product Definitions Guide

Product Descriptions by Segment and Application Power Systems Research tracks some 250 products in 13 major industrial segments. This Guide defines each product that PSR lists in its proprietary databases. Segment: Agriculture Application: 2-Wheel Tractors 2-Wheel Tractors Application: Ag Tractors 2-Wheel Drive Tractors 4WD Articulated Ag Tractors MFWD Tractors (Mechanical Front Wheel Drive) Tracked Ag