PowerTALK™, December 2022

IN THIS ISSUE

Lots of news on Alternative Power issues in the December edition of PowerTALK News from Guy Youngs and other analysts at Power Systems Research. In addition to Guy Young’s report on alternative power, don’t miss John Krezsicki’s podcast about Michigan University’s Solar Car research program, Tesla’s Lithium refinery project in Texas and Chris Fisher’s report on M&A activity in the Light/Medium EV segment. PSR

  • Alternative Power
    • Are There Enough Materials For Needed EVs?
    • Redwood To Supply Cathode Materials To Panasonic
    • Tesla Lithium Refinery Project Advances in Texas
    • Here’s What Container Ships Could Look Like by 2050
  • DataPoint: Terminal Tractors
  • North America:
    • More Acquisitions in Light/Medium EV Segment
    • U.S. Powersports Industry Grows in 2021
    • PSR Podcast: Michigan Solar Car Program  
  • Europe: Solaris Buses Purchases 25 Fuel Cell Engines
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Royal Enfield Starts Assembly Plant in Brazil
    • BorgWarner To Produce Vehicle Batteries in Brazil
    • John Deere Plans Construction Equipment Plant
  • China: 2023 EV Sales To Grow To 8.4 Million Units
  • Japan: Honda To Produce FCVs in the U.S.
  • South Korea: SK To Expand Supplies To Hyundai’s U.S. Plant
  • India: CV Production Nears Pre-covid Levels

PowerTALK™, January 2023

Manufacturers are increasing their efforts to develop hydrogen as a power source for vehicles and stationary power equipment at the same time that they continue to develop batteries that are lighter and that can be charged faster.

In This Issue
  • Alternative Power
    • • Are Hydrogen Engines in the Future?
    • • Growth of Hydrogen Internal Combustion engines (H-ICE)
    • • JCB Reaches Hydrogen Milestone
    • • Hyster Begins Pilot of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Container Handler
  • North America: U.S. Economy Faces Problems
  • DataPoint: NA Combines
  • Brazil/South America
    • • Brazil Pushes Truck Renewal Program
    • • First Synthetic Fuel Neutral CO2 Started
    • • FPT Developing Ethanol or Biomethane Engine
  • Europe: Cost Increases Cause Losses at HanseYacht
  • China: CNH To Halt Sales of Construction Machinery
  • Japan: METI Sets 2030 Goal for EV Trucks
  • South Korea: Hyundai Plans $14.7 Billion for Software
  • Southeast Asia: EV Purchase Subsidies Planned
  • India: Bets Placed on Green Hydrogen

Q4 2022 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) gains 3.7%

St. Paul, MN (Janaury 23, 2023)— The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 101 to 105, or 3.7%, for the three-month period ended Dec. 31, 2022, from Q3 2022. The year-over-year (Q4 2021 through Q4 2022) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 122 to 105, or -13.2%.

The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan & Korea and Emerging Markets.

This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research.

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Thailand Kubota Takes Measures To Secure Manpower

SOUTHEAST ASIA: THAI REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

In Thailand, one of the most industrialized countries in Southeast Asia, automation is accelerating in the manufacturing industry as the working population tapers off. Workers’ attitudes are changing, and fewer Southeast Asians are migrating to Japan. Business models based on cheap labor are no longer viable in Asia.

When I visited the Amata City plant of Siam Kubota, a locally incorporated subsidiary of agricultural machinery giant Kubota Corporation, I saw countless automated guided vehicles (AGVs) running in every direction.

Sales of tractors and combine harvesters are booming, thanks in part to the government’s special demand for subsidized farm machinery for those who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 disaster and are now returning to their hometowns to start farming. The fruits of this policy are being returned in the form of year-end bonuses, and Siam Kubota is not suffering from a labor shortage at this time.

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Japanese Auto OEMs Seek Battery Production in NA

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Major automobile manufacturers are actively investing in automotive lithium-ion batteries. Nissan is leading among the Japanese automakers, followed by Honda and Toyota. Along with the motor and inverter, the vehicle-mounted lithium-ion battery is considered one of the “Three Sacred Treasures” of EVs.

In particular, the on-board battery is the most important as it is the source of power. In many cases, EV production will not be possible without securing a large supply of batteries through partnerships with major battery manufacturers. However, the number of battery makers with which the major automotive companies have partnered is limited: CATL ranked first in the global automotive battery market in 2021, with 39% of the market. It was followed by LG Energy Solutions (18%) and Panasonic Holdings (12%), with the top three companies accounting for 70% of the market.

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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

PowerTALK™, March 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

CONEXPO 2023 held this month in Las Vegas is the largest construction equipment show in the world. It covered more than 3 million square feet and more than 2,400 exhibitors demonstrated new products from nearly 140,000 attendees from around the world. Power Systems Research analysts walked the five-day show talking with exhibitors and attendees and reviewing new products. Read our report in this issue of PowerTALK.

  • Alternative Power
    • Subway To Add EV Charging Stations
    • Lithium-Air Battery Could Offer Longer Range
    • Has Battery Recycling Arrived Too Soon?
    • Nikola Plans Hydrogen Fuel Network
  • Global:
    • CONEXPO Shows Hydrogen, Electric Prototypes
    • EV Boat Market To Grow by 12%
  • NA: Cummins Hydrogen Engine Update
  • DataPoint: NA Harvesters
  • Brazil/South America:
    • WEG Building Plant for EV Batteries in Brazil
    • Fras-le Acquires Juratek in UK
  • Europe: RR Power Systems Posts Record Year
  • Japan: Hitachi Construction Raises Prices
  • China: Komatsu To Cut China Production by 40%
  • India: Hyundai To Purchase GM Plant

2022 Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) gains 2.9%

St. Paul, MN (April 8, 2023)— The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) decreased from 108 to 106, or -1.9%, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to Q4 2022. The year-over-year (Q1 2022 to  Q1 2023) gain for the PSR-TPI was, 103 to 106, or 2.9%.

The PSR-TPI is a quarterly truck production report that measures global truck production in six regions:  North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan & 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 July 2023 and will reflect changes in the TPI during Q2 2023.  PSR

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

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

Hitachi To Launch Remote Excavator in FY2023

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Hitachi Construction Machinery says it will release a medium-sized hydraulic excavator that can be operated remotely during fiscal 2023. Workers will be able to remotely operate the excavator without getting on the machine during construction of housing sites and rivers. Demand is expected to increase due to labor shortages at construction sites, and the company will introduce the medium-sized models, which are widely used.

The main target is hydraulic excavators with a body weight of 10 to 30 tons. Hitachi Construction Machinery will prepare a body that can be remotely controlled and will install the necessary remote-control controller and video system in consultation with the customer.

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