Global Economic Fundamentals Strong, But Uncertainties Linger

This report is excerpted from the Q3 2019 Update Bulletin prepared for clients of Power Systems Research, Oct. 1, 2019.

SUMMARY. If you were to look at the latest global macro-economic fundamentals, you would see a strong and healthy economy and a rosy picture.  On the other hand, if you follow the latest updates on key industries and their players worldwide, optimism is not that strong. 

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Smaller Bauma Returns To Munich

Summary. After more than three years, Bauma, one of the largest construction events in the world, reopened its doors for seven days in Munich Oct. 24. Power Systems Research (PSR) had a five-person team at the event, discussing trends with industry representatives, from new products and services to topics around the future evolution of sustainable technologies.

The show was smaller than the last time it was held, in 2019. Close to 3,200 exhibitors from 60 countries (2019: 3,684 exhibitors from 63 countries) participated and more than 495,000 visitors from over 200 countries (2019: 627,603 visitors from more than 200 countries) came to Munich for the event.

Bauma is the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment. International visitors made up about 50% of the attendance. That’s a change from 2019 when about two-thirds of visitors came from Germany.

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North American Economy Should Be Strong in 2022 But Grow at Slower Pace

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

SUMMARY.  2021 was a year of big hopes for economic recovery and pandemic management, and, overall, the economic rebound was strong.  Looking at the state of the economy in general, and the key economic indicators such as GDP, interest rates, employment levels, etc., the North America market finished the year on a very high note. At the same time, development of new pandemic variants as well as ongoing issues with supply chains have led to manufacturing issues.

The second half of 2021 brought steady economic activities and strong economic recovery.  Despite this strong performance, many existing and new challenges were seen.  Problems from pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, logistics backlogs, and semiconductor shortages to new virus variations and labor market issues have contributed to slower growth in Q4 2021 than during the first half of last year. 

Let’s break it down.  The “Great Resignation” means companies must make themselves more attractive to new hires, and it provides those workers who remain more leverage to change corporate cultures from the inside.

With help of government support and targeted fiscal policies, the US economy showed a strong comeback in 2021.  Furthermore, the growth trajectory is well positioned to continue to expand into the next few years, however, at much slower pace, than in 2021. 

At the same time, there are many reasons for us to be optimistic about this trend.  Our positive outlook is based on the reviews of key economic indicators, including GDP, unemployment, and inflation.  In our previous forecasts, we discussed recovery trends for the post-pandemic period, and called for a return of demand for most markets in 2021.   Last year, we witnessed a strong level of activities and an economic  rebound for

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Bosch Qingling Builds Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plant

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Bosch Qingling has begun construction on Bosch’s first R & D Center for hydrogen fuel production in the world, a national hydrogen fuel cell engine production base and a national hydrogen energy commercial vehicle production base.

The hydrogen fuel cell engine project is being built jointly by Bosch (China) Investment Co., Ltd. and Qingling Group, with a total investment of about US$ 470 million (2.98 billion yuan).

Bosch predicts that by 2030, about 12.5% of new commercial vehicles in the world will be powered by fuel cell vehicles. In order to further promote the industrialization of hydrogen power in China, Bosch began to lay out the construction of a new plant in. At present, it has completed the preparations such as overall planning and design, and officially started construction today.

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PowerTALK™ News, May 2020

COVID-19 continues to make a huge impact on global production of engines and equipment. While the impact is stabalizing in some areas, it is growing rapidly in other regions, such as Brazil and South America. Read about it in the May issue of PowerTALK News.

In This Issue:

  • NA: COVID-19 Webinar Scheduled with HDMA
  • NA: Vertical Integration Key for EVs
  • NA: New Class of Hybrids
  • NA: CORVID-19 Cuts Profits at HOG and PII
  • NA: DataPoint: PWC
  • Europe: ARGO Tractors Resumes Operations
  • Brazil: Commercial Vehicle Production Slides
  • Japan: Fuel Cell Joint Development Advances
  • Korea: Hyundai and Kia Expand EV Models
  • Southeast Asia: COVID-19 Stalls China Belt & Road
  • India: COVID-19 Lockdown
  • Russia: April New Car Sales Drop 70%
  • Russia:  Automaker To Receive Support
  • Russia: KAMAZ Driverless Trucks Tested
  • Russia: Electric GAZelle LCV Launched

PowerTALK™ News, June 2020

COVID-19 continues to be the main topic of the day for the power industry tracked by Power Systems Research. Read about the impact on North American production of Agricultural and Construction equipment in the June issue of PowerTALK News. The analysis was contained in a June 17, 2020, webinar presented by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Power Systems Research.

The Top Stories in the June issue are:

  • NA: COVID-19 Webinar
  • NA: Lithium Revolution Is Missing
  • NA: DataPoint: Lawn & Garden Tractors
  • Brazil: Special COVID Report
  • Brazil: John Deere Grader Production
  • Brazil: Pepsico Acquires NG Trucks
  • Brazil: First Foton Assembled
  • China: Geely To Acquire CAMC
  • Japan: Domestic MC Recovering
  • SE Asia: Auto Sales Drop 80%
  • India: EV Outlook Brightens
  • Russia: Construction Machinery Sales
  • Russia: Autotor To Suspend BMW Production
  • Russia: KAMAZ Produces Mining Truck

PowerTALK, March 2019

Forklift Production Climbs in 2019

Production of Rough Terrain Forklifts in the U.S. this year is expected to be about 14,400 units, according to Carol Turner, PSR Senior Analyst, Global Operations. Her report is one of the Top Stories in the March 2019 issue of the PSR PowerTALK newsletter.

Other stories include a report on the 2019 Moscow Boat Show, a report on Q4 2018 gen-set sales in North America as part of PSR’s quarterly PowerTRACKER proprietary survey, plus stories from Asia, India, South America and Europe.

TOP STORIES

  • Rough Terrain Forklifts
  • EGSA Conference Report
  • NA Gen-Set Sales
  • Argentina LV Production Drops
  • Columbia LV Sales Forecast
  • China Boosts Methanol Use
  • Deutz Posts Strong Earnings
  • Kawasaki Completes India Plant
  • Doosan Wins Contracts
  • Indonesia Backs EVs
  • India Plans Tariffs
  • India Car Sales Decline
  • Moscow Boat Show Report
  • Russia Electric Car Market
  • Japanese Trucks in Moscow

PowerTALK January 2018

Global Truck Production Climbs 8.6%

Global truck production climbed 8.6% climbed for the 12 month period ended Dec. 31, 2017, according to Power Systems Research (PSR). The outlook for global truck production in class 4-8 looks very promising for 2018, as the strong growth pattern established in 2017 continues.

Other Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK include:

  • Report from SAA Conference
  • Transportation News from CES
  • Global/North America Forecast
  • India CV Outlook
  • Chinese Truck OEMs Fined