PowerTALK™, April 2023

The April 2023 issue of PowerTALK News features the Q1 2023 Truck Production Index. The report shows that the 2022 Index climbed 2.9%, but declined in Q1 2023. The report also has articles on Alternative Power and the global forecast for personal watercraft.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • Global ICE Industry Cliff Is Here
    • Top Construction OEM Hierarchy Changes
    • Compact Track Loaders Grab Skid Steer Market
    • Diesel Technology Achieves Peak Efficiency
  • Global:
    • 2022 Truck Production Index Gains 2.9%
    • 2030 Global PWC Market Could Hit $3 Billion
  • DataPoint: North America ATVs
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Volvo Tests Renewable LNG Truck
    • Vale Increases Use of BE Locomotives
    • Biodiesel Mix Increase Begins in April
    • Scania, Mercedes Reduce Production Shifts
  • Europe: Group Beneteau Forecasts 10% Growth in 2023
  • Japan: Honda Plans Personal Electric Motorcycles
  • Vietnam: Vingroup To Enter EV Cab Market
  • China: Beiqi Foton Motors, Cummins Set Joint Investment
  • India: LNG May Be Fuel for Long-Haul Trucking

Vale Increases Use of BE Locomotives in Brazil

As part of the strategy of accelerating the use of technologies that use renewable sources, Vale received at the end of March its second 100% electric locomotive, powered by battery. Manufactured in China by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive (CRRC ZELC), the equipment will initially operate in the maneuvering yard of the Ponta da Madeira Terminal in São Luís (MA). Its batteries, made of lithium, have a storage capacity of 1000 kWh, with autonomy to operate up to 10 hours without stops for recharging.

CRRC’s locomotive is part of Vale’s strategy to electrify its mine and rail equipment. The two areas account for 25% of the company’s direct carbon emissions, the so-called scope 1. In 2019, Vale announced the goal of zeroing its net emissions of scopes 1 and 2 (relative to electricity consumption) by 2050. To this end, it is investing between US$ 4 billion and US$ 6 billion.

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Show Report: Agrishow 2023

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Our Power Systems Research South America Team visited the Agrishow 2023, in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil, visiting customers and checking the new launches and market expectations. It’s the world’s largest show on Agricultural Equipment       

The general expectations of exhibitors we talked with were not positive. Exhibitors carefully spoke about some factors influencing the market, such as lower commodities prices and the new government often speaking against Agribusiness that does not promote positive investment decisions.

On the other hand, the projections of business during the show surpass US$ 2,6 Billion (R$ 13,2 Billion), that is 18% nominal growth over 2022 business and actual growth of 9.5% discounting inflation. The expectation is for a recovery in commodities prices in 2H 2023. The government is also announcing more credit for this segment and OEMs are offering their own credit lines.

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XCMG To Produce EV Trucks in Brazil in Two years

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

XCMG announced plans to produce battery electric trucks in Brazil at Pouso Alegre (MG) plant in two years. Until then, the company expects to build a local network of suppliers and wait for new industrial policies that are expected for the electric vehicle segment.

The current plan consists of starting with the assembly of chassis and cabins at the Minas Gerais plant with components produced by local suppliers. Batteries and other components of the electric powertrain will be imported from China.

This first stage fits the company’s electric trucks within the scope of Finame, the BNDES credit line that finances the acquisition of machinery and equipment. To access this line, the product to be financed must have a certain percentage of parts and components produced in the country.

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PowerTALK™, June 2023

Commercial vehicles are in the news this month. Japan is looking at a major merger of truck OEMs, Cummins is delivering a Hydrogen fuel cell truck, Brazil has announced incentives for MHVs and KCMG says it will produce EV trucks in Brazil. Read these reports and more in the June issue of PowerTALK News.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • Electric Vehicles and The H2 Battle to be Included in the Family
    • New Battery Recycling Center Will Have A Big Impact On Europe
  • Global: Electric Scooter Market Could Reach $56B in 2033
  • North America: CARB Is Phasing Out Heavy Trucks
  • DataPoint: North American Off-Highway Trucks
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Brazil Announces Incentives for MHV and LV
    • XCMG To Produce EV Trucks in Brazil in Two Years
  • Japan: Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso To Merge
  • South Korea: Hyundai Motor and LG Energy To Build Battery Plant in U.S.
  • Indonesia:  Indonesia Plans To Become Major Player in Car Industry
  • China: Cummins Accelera Delivers Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck
  • India: Suzuki Moves Aggressively To Regain India Market Share

Q2 2023 Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) gains 9.4%

St. Paul, MN — The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 106 to 116, or 9.4%, for the three-month period ending June 30, 2023, from Q1 2023. The year-over-year (Q2 2022 to Q2 2023) gain for the PSR-TPI was, 112 to 116, or 3.6%.

The PSR-TPI is a quarterly truck production report that measures global truck production in six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan and Korea and Emerging Markets.

This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research. The next update of the Power Systems Research TPI will be in October 2023 and will reflect changes in the TPI during Q3 2023. PSR

Jim Downey is vice president – global data products at Power Systems Research and Chris Fisher is the senior commercial vehicle analyst at Power Systems Research            

PowerTALK™, August 2023

Reports of new product development and emissions are featured in several articles in the August 2023 issue of PowerTALK News. Read about VW’s breakthroughs, a new hydrogen-powered generator, and new regulations covering machine products in Europe.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • VW Reveals Four EV Breakthroughs
    • EVs Report Fewer Greenhouse Gases
    • Methane Is Big Greenhouse Gas Problem
    • Hydrogen Engines Pose Hurdles
  • DataPoint: North America Personal Watercraft
  • Europe: New Machine Regulations
  • Brazil/South America:
    • PSR Sponsors at SAE Mobility Forum
    • Mexico Beats Argentina in Brazil Exports
    • 29% of 2023 Brazil Trucks Have Euro 6 Engines
  • Japan: Firms Develop Hydrogen-Powered Generator
  • Vietnam: Foxconn To Invest $246 Million in Vietnam
  • China: XCMG Group, Toyota Sign Pact
  • India: Marluti Suzuki Plans India Market Expansion

PowerTALK™, September 2023

Read about plans by the state of California to build a hydrogen refueling network even though the state has only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars in the September issue of PowerTALK News. Chris Fisher provides an update on hydrogen powered commercial vehicles and Michael Aistrup delivers an update on e-bicycles.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
    • California Building Hydrogen Refueling Network for Cars
    • New Zinc-Air Batteries Challenge Lithium Batteries
    • The Truth About EV Battery Recycling
    • Australian Mining — Can It Power All The New EVs?
  • GLOBAL:
    • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle Update
    • E-Bike Market Analysis
  • DATAPOINT: NA Tractor/Loader/Backhoes (TLBs)   
  • BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA: 
    • Companies Support Fleet Renewal Program
    • Motorcycle Production To Reach 1.5 Million in 2023
    • BEV Demand Boosts Brazil Mining Investment
  • JAPAN: Target of 300,000 EV Chargers by 2030 Planned
  • SOUTH KOREA:  Battery Companies Increase Sales
  • VIETNAM: Ridesharing Giant Gojek Converts To EVs
  • CHINA: Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business
  • INDIA: Bus Sector Bounces Back; EVs Fuel Post-Covid Growth

Lithium Deposit In Nevada Could Be World’s Largest

The Chinese were way ahead of the rest of the world when it came to recognizing the value of lithium. While most nations slept, China was busy identifying lithium deposits around the world and either buying them or negotiating deals with those who may not have fully appreciated lithium’s value.

It incentivized others to seek alternatives. New companies sprang up to extract lithium from salt brine, especially in the Salton Sea area of California. But these are years away from being able to supply America’s and the world’s needs.

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Q3 2023 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) Climbs 3.6%

St. Paul, MN — The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) climbed from 104 to 108, or 3.6%, for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2023. The PSR-TPI dropped from 117 to 108, or 7.7%, for the three-month period ending Sept. 30, 2023, from  Q2 2023.

The PSR-TPI is a quarterly truck production report that measures global truck production in six regions:  North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan and Korea and Emerging Markets.

This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research. The next update of the Power Systems Research TPI will be in January 2024 and will reflect changes in the TPI during Q4 2023. PSR

Jim Downey is vice president – global data products at Power Systems Research and Chris Fisher is the senior commercial vehicle analyst at Power Systems Research