KAMAZ Launches 720 hp Engine

RUSSIA REPORT

PowerTALK, January 2022

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

KAMAZ said it is installing new 6-cylinder engines working on methane gas and having 720 HP on its trucks. Switching to NG fuel is one of the main trends of the Russian automotive giant. It builds Inline 6 and V8 engines

Inline 6 cylinders engine will be made in several versions but the 720 hp will be available in the top model only. For the economy segment, the OEM will offer a 450 hp engine;  the price of this model will be significantly cheaper.     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: A few years ago, KAMAZ started developing new 6-cylinder inline engines in co-operation with Liebherr. The R&D now is program successfully expanding into a new stage, developing a new range of HHP NG-powered engines.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Scania Tests Euro VI Engine in Brazil

SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

The 13 liters with Scania Twin SCR aftertreatment developed in Sweden is tested in Brazil for the new Proconve P8 products, already in place for new models and mandatory for all models by January 2023. The homologation process at IBAMA is already advanced but may show adaption needs to Brazilian environment. This engine is part of a completely new powertrain and brakes system with higher efficiency and lower emission. The power range vary from 420 to 560 hp and it is prepared for HVO use.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The use of edge technology at Scania Trucks in Brazil is in line with the amount of exports Scania makes to Europe and to lower emission regions. The higher efficiency will bring increased sales to South America as fleet owners seek lower fuel consumption. PSR

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

Low Interest Funding Set for Low Emission Off-Highway Machines

SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

The program called Low Carbon FINAME is dedicated to the acquisition of new machines that contribute to carbon emission reduction, with a focus on EV Buses, EV Trucks and Off-Highway Machines electric and Hybrid. OEMs have to register their products before December 2024 to access lower interest rates.

Source: M&T      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The incentives for funding are an important driver to make an EV competitive when compared to an ICE in Brazil, a country with high interest rates and high cost of capital. Historically, lower interest rates caused high sales and bubbles in key segments as CE and MHV. We are closely monitoring the funding conditions and the impact it will bring to key market segments.  PSR

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

Fleet Renewal Program Goes Live in Brazil   

BRAZIL REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

The Brazil Government has published a law starting the Truck and Buses Scrappage Policy, aiming to renew fleets, increase productivity and efficiency, reduce emissions and improve safety. Depending on the effectiveness of the program, it may affect the MHV market. See complete article translated in our webpage and the original from Automotive Business.

Source: Automotive Business    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The launch of the Renovar program is a positive sign on the path of improving safety, logistics efficiency and environmental impact for Brazil, with genuine and relevant objectives.

Because it is a voluntary program, operating in phases, with regulations and parameters yet to be defined, it is too early to project the effectiveness and impact on the vehicle market.

We believe that Brazil still needs broader legislation for a long-term program with a gradual and geographically differentiated process to restrict the movement of older, less safe trucks and buses with lower efficiency and higher emission levels. Fleet owners, autonomous carriers, OEMs and the entire production chain need predictability for long-term planning to prepare for and assure feasibility for a broad and scheduled fleet renewal. PSR

By Fabio Ferraresi, Director Business Development South Americafor Power Systems Research

PMI Electro To Set Up EV Manufacturing Plant in Maharashtra

INDIA REPORT 

Aditya Kondejkar

Electric bus maker PMI Electro announced the setting up of its largest EV manufacturing plant with annual production capacity of 2,500 vehicles at Chakan in Maharashtra.

Source: Economic Times       Read The Article

PSR Analysis: PMI operates a manufacturing facility in Delhi, India’s capital region, which has an annual production capacity of about 1,500 electric buses. With the planned facility in Pune, the total annual manufacturing capacity of PMI will grow to 4,000 electric CVs, the company said. The new plant will be capable of manufacturing electric CVs in multiple variants as well as electric trucks.

The company said it has received an order size of 1,000 electric CVs (Commercial Vehicles) under FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme of the central government. PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Komatsu Provides Hybrid CE To Southeast Asia

INDONESIA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Komatsu began introducing hybrid construction equipment in Indonesia this spring. Equipped with an engine and electric motor as the power source, these machines can improve fuel efficiency by 20-30%, compared to conventional machines.

Chinese manufacturers are pushing low-priced construction equipment, and are now rivaling Komatsu, which has a stronghold in Indonesia, in terms of market share. With fuel prices rising sharply, emerging countries are also becoming more environmentally conscious. Komatsu is fending off Chinese competition with its highly fuel-efficient construction equipment and is tapping into demand for decarbonization.

In Indonesia, the largest construction equipment market in Southeast Asia, Komatsu has launched a hybrid hydraulic excavator. Equipped with a hybrid system developed in-house, the excavator’s swing unit is electrically powered. When turning the body, including the arm and driver’s seat, from side to side, the energy generated during deceleration is used to generate electricity, which is stored for future use. The company plans to market the system to nickel mine developers and others, where demand for EV batteries is growing.

Read More»

Daimler Beefs Up Western Star Brand


For a number of years, we have been hearing rumors that Daimler will likely put the Western Star truck brand out to pasture, primarily due to the brand’s low market share in the class 8 truck segment.  However, this does not appear to be the case. 

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

During the past two years, Western Star has upgraded or is planning to upgrade their entire truck lineup based upon their current platforms.

Western Star typically focuses on the on-highway vocational side of the heavy truck segment along with other niche applications.  DTNA has recently placed an emphasis on the on-highway vocational segment with both the Freightliner and Western Star brands.

The vocational truck segment represents approximately 25% of the class 8 truck market. This is somewhat low volume when compared to the class 8 freight segment, but the vocational trucks are highly profitable for the OEMs. Also having more diversification within the heavy truck market somewhat shields the OEMs from the volatility of the freight only segment.

Read More»

CV Industry Is Moving in Top Gear

INDIA REPORT 
Aditya Kondejkar

The commercial industry will grow with trucks and buses expected to do well. Truck sales will improve as many industries require more units as they are running at full capacity

The Indian economy managed to revive itself during the first and second COVID waves and quickly achieved a V-shaped recovery.

This year, GST is reaching high levels. GST collection has witnessed a growth of 26% YoY – YTD CY22. Furthermore, the generation of e-way bills is increasing rapidly. The generation of e-way bills is directly proportional to truck utilization and drives vehicle demand.

Read More»

Hyundai Doosan Infracore Plans Hydrogen Engine

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

Hyundai Doosan Infracore announced that it has been selected as the lead company for the national project “Development of Hydrogen Engine System and Storage and Supply System for Construction Machinery and Commercial Vehicles” by the Industrial Technology Evaluation and Management Agency.

Through this project, the company plans to develop a 300kW, 11-liter class hydrogen engine and hydrogen tank system with zero carbon emissions, which will be installed in commercial vehicles such as trucks and large buses, and construction equipment such as excavators by 2024. After verification, the company aims to begin full-scale mass production in 2025.

“Although hydrogen engines have high energy density, they are expensive and require technological maturity to ensure durability under adverse operating conditions,” said a company official. “For this reason, the engine system is more suitable for construction machinery and medium- to large-sized commercial vehicles than for passenger cars.”

Source: Wow! Korea

PSR Analysis: Hydrogen products in Korea are still far from practical at this point. Hydrogen can be classified as green, blue, or gray depending on the cleanliness of the production process, and the hydrogen fuel cell power plant in Korea that began operating in June emits 10 tons of carbon for every ton of hydrogen it produces. At this point, Korea’s hydrogen industry is still in the gray stage, but I do not think it is time to discuss whether the technology is good or bad, as it will take time for the technology to become more advanced.

The idea that hydrogen is better suited for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles than for passenger cars makes a lot of sense. However, mass production of a commercial model by 2024 is certainly a very high goal. With the lithium-ion battery industry currently thriving in South Korea, I will keep a close eye on the future development of hydrogen in the country. PSR

Scania, VW and Volvo Show Euro VI Lineup

Three OEMs have announced new fuel efficient products.

Scania has announced an 8% fuel consumption improvement with Super 13 liters engines and promises 50% maintenance stops reduction. Volvo has announced a new Euro VI line with Volvo Engine produced in Brazil, replacing MWM on the VM platform. VW fuel consumption improvement is in the 5% range and the company reports 4,000 units Euro VI sold in 2022 already.

Read More»