Q3 2020 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) climbs 203%

St. Paul, MN — The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 36 to 109, or 203%, for the three-month period ended Oct. 31, 2020, from the Q2 2020. The year-over-year (Q3 2019 to Q3 2020) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 117 to 109, or 6.8%.

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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VW Announces Pickup Truck To Fight with Fiat Toro

Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce a pickup truck at its São José dos Pinhais plant in Paraná, Brazil, currently dedicated to assembling the T-Cross SUV. This new model, referred to internally as Project Udara, is part of the automaker’s €1 billion investment cycle in the country extending until 2028.

In addition to the pickup, the investment includes the development of two flex-hybrid vehicles, a new SUV, and a new engine, slated for production at the Brazilian assembly lines in São Bernardo do Campo and São Carlos.

The forthcoming pickup, larger than the existing Saveiro model produced in São Bernardo do Campo, is expected to feature a flex-fuel engine, with potential hybrid variants. Project Udara is set to be constructed on the MQB platform, and its launch is expected in early 2026.

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KAMAZ Patents Electric Truck Without Cab

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

This truck has a very unusual design. The database of Rospatent has shown drawings of a cabless truck with an electric motor. The patent owner is KAMAZ. The truck has a very unusual appearance because it doesn’t have a cabin – it’s a box on wheels with low clearance, and it features round head and rear lights, and a vent grid. No details are available about the motor, except that it’s electric.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The truck looks somewhat like the Volvo Vera truck.

Last year, KAMAZ started testing a driverless truck developed for coal transportation in one of Kuzbass mines. It is equipped with cruise-control and a system for bypassing obstacles and making lane changes.    

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PSR Analysis: The future is next door. Of course, it’s a long way from the patent to the working vehicle, but the trend is clear. KAMAZ has concentrated technologies for creation of a driverless electric truck and has patented them. PSR

Boot 2020 Wraps Up Successful Boat Show

Natasa Mulahalilovic is PSR MarineLink Product Manager

Emiliano Marzoli is Senior Business Development Manager – Europe

Dalibor Sablic is Senior Business Development Manager – Europe

SUMMARY: The general mood at Boot 2020 this year was very positive. Most builders said they had a very successful nautical 2018/2019 year, and most said they are looking forward to a good year in 2020. The show drew 240,000 visitors who had an opportunity to meet 1,900 exhibitors from 71 countries.

The Sailing boats segment is coming back on track, motorboats of all sizes are doing well, the super yachts segment remains strong, and inflatable boats and tenders have gained in popularity.  The optimistic view for 2020 is based on good year-end results, continuous investments in new technologies, materials, equipment, design and exciting new boat concepts.

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

Modern designs, completely new looks, use of light and solid material, work on multi-functionality and openness of the boats is visible everywhere and in all segments.  Boats are open more than ever, providing more space and light, and bringing riders closer to the water.

The environmental awareness is growing, and a new generation of boaters is looking for cleaner solutions, not just comfort. That’s why the sailing segment is gaining ground, electric boats are appealing to the general curiosity, and small and medium motorboats are more attractive than in last 10 years when the trend was towards bigger motor yachts and super yachts.

17 Halls of Boats, Boats and More Boats

Duesseldorf, Germany–The Power Systems Research (PSR) team spent several days exploring the 17 halls at this year’s Boot 2020 Show, reviewing products and talking with pleasure boat builders, traders and other industry professionals about the latest achievements, innovations and trends.

The 51st edition of Boot 2020, Europe’s largest boat show, wrapped up January 26, after drawing attendance of 240,000 for the nine-day event. People came mainly from Europe, but they came from all over the world, as well.  

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Kamaz Introduces First Mining Truck

KAMAZ says it has developed and built KAMAZ 65805 – first truck in its new mining truck portfolio. The product line will consist of dump trucks with wheel formula 8*4 and 10*6 and cargo capacity from 45 to 70 tons. The dimensions of the new truck will allow driving on regular automobile roads.

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The new KAMAZ is powered by a 12-liter inline KAMAZ R-6 engine of 500 hp, and hydromechanical transmission with retarder.

The truck is introduced as “Autonomous ready,” and can be converted to a driverless vehicle by installing sensors and a decision-making chip.

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KAMAZ Introduces Hercules Articulated Truck

The first pictures of the new KAMAZ articulated mining truck have been published, showing a configuration of the truck with a 6×6 chassis. It will compete with the Caterpillar 740 and Volvo A40F.

The articulated frame will increase maneuverability and off-road characteristics of the truck. Hercules will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. The new truck will use a KAMAZ R6 engine of 450 hp, and the nominal output of every electric motor will be 517 hp. The load capacity of Hercules is 40 tons, and the full weight is 75 tons. A light option with 4×4 format and 25-ton capacity are also in the plans.

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Brazil Moves Forward on Truck Fleet Renewal Program

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  

In December 2022, the Brazilian Government published regulations for the Fleet Renewal Program authorized by the law that was published in H1 2022. Under this regulation, truck owners may receive the old truck market value from companies in the Oil and Gas exploration chain, provided that they prove the truck was taken out of circulation, disassembly and recycled. The program is voluntary, both for owners selling the old truck and for O&G companies designating resources for the program in exchange for a reduction of duties on O&G exploration contracts.

Source: M&T     Read The Article

PSR Analysis. Preliminary analysis suggests the program won’t be very effective, since significant recycling and paperwork efforts are required to sell the old truck at market prices. It seems this is a regulation published to show environmental efforts, but one that will have limited effectiveness. No impact is seen in the Truck Market now unless market conditions change drastically. PSR

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

Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) Loses 37%

Jim Downey
Jim Downey
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

ST. PAUL, MN — The Q4 2021 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 116 to 120, or 3.4%, for the three-month period ended December 31,2021, from Q3 2021. The year-over-year (Q4 2020 to Q4 2021) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 190 to 120, or -37%.

The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across 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.

Global Index: We expect global production volumes in 2022 to gain 3.7% vs 2021, with a positive trend in all regions, except for China, where we expect production volumes to be down -3.6% in 2022 vs 2021. China experienced a surge in demand during 2020 due to the change in emissions regulations, so 2021 was down significantly, about 20%.

All Regions: Global demand for Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHV) rebounded in 2021 but overall growth in the segment was flat. Going forward, we expect the growth to accelerate in 2022 and 2023. The exceptions to this rebound trend are in China and India, which continue to decline and sharply drive overall global production numbers into negative territory.

North America: While supply chain disruptions continue to negatively impact the commercial vehicle market, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to finish 2021 15.8% higher than 2020. The forecasted production growth rate is expected to continue to show improvement through 2023 as supply chain disruptions ease and truck capacity in the market begins to align with demand. The disruption in the supply chain and on-going issues with COVID will continue to impact the market in 2022.    PSR

Jim Downey is Vice President-Global Data Products and Chris Fisher is Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research

VW Truck & Bus To Invest US$ 400 Million in 2021-2025

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

VW Truck and Bus has announced a new cycle of investment in Brazil operations of US$ 400 Million, for the period 2021 to 2025. This is higher than the last investment cycle, that was US$ 300 million that ended in 2020. This investment will be allocated in new products, mainly in alternative propulsion systems, such as electric, and improvements in the production facilities.

Source: AutoData       Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  The investment reinforces VW’s Truck and Bus focus in the Brazilian market. Product development for Proconve P8 in January 2023 will use a significant part of the investment; investments also will be made in facilities adjustments for higher volumes of production in the coming years.   PSR

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