-
SOUTH KOREA REPORT: Doosan Infracore Collaborates with Game Developers
Doosan Infracore says it has signed an MOU with Unity Technologies Korea for mutual cooperation in the development of a construction process simulator.
Akihiro Komuro This is the first joint project with a game engine developer in the construction equipment industry, which is rare in the global construction equipment industry.
The game engine is regarded as very useful in various industries such as shipbuilding, logistics and construction. Doosan Infracore and Unity will work together to develop a simulator. It realizes various physical elements on a construction site where excavators and other equipment operate in a virtual environment. The simulator will be very useful in accurately predicting complex variables that may occur on a real construction site.
-
Doosan Sells 10,000 Excavators in China in H1 2020
Doosan Infracore announced that it sold 10,728 hydraulic excavators in China in H1 2020. This is the company’s largest sales volume in nine years since it sold more than 12,000 units in the market in H1 2011. The company sold 1,320 excavators in June, a 23% increase in sales over the previous year.
Akihito Komuro China’s hydraulic excavator market suffered a slowdown in the first two months of the year due to COVID-19 but is now consistently showing signs of a rapid recovery. Overall sales in the Chinese hydraulic excavator market exceeded 155,000 units in H1 2020, significantly exceeding the 125,000 units sold nationwide in H1 2019.
Source: Kikai-News (The original article was partially revised by the author.)
-
Hyundai Exports Fuel Cell Trucks To Europe
South Korea’s Hyundai Motor announced on July 6 that it has begun exporting commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to Europe. The company shipped 10 trucks to Switzerland, and it plans to export 1,600 units by 2025 using a long-term lease contract system.
Akihiro Komuro Hyundai has set up a joint venture company to build a hydrogen infrastructure in Switzerland; it also plans to develop hydrogen stations and other infrastructure in cooperation with a local company. They plan to use Switzerland as a base for expanding their exports throughout Europe.
The South Korean government is also focusing on the spread of the hydrogen-based society and will appeal to the governments of other countries. The trucks exported this time will be used by the food distribution industry. The route for these trucks is fixed, making it easy to set up the infrastructure for refueling.
-
Japan: Toyota, Nissan and Honda Research e-Fuel as New Fuel
Toyota, Nissan, and Honda each are preparing for stricter environmental regulations in 2030 by focusing on research and development of e-fuel, a synthetic liquid fuel made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2).
Akihito Komuro e-Fuel is a liquid hydrocarbon chain fuel made from the catalytic synthesis of H2 and CO2 from the electrolysis of water.
Generated from renewable energy sources, they are “carbon neutral,” which means they emit and absorb the same amount of CO2. The e-fuel can be mixed with gasoline or diesel fuel.
The three Japanese companies each have begun researching efficient synthesis and use methods and business models. The reason for researching e-fuel is that, in addition to complying with regulations, the degree of penetration of e-fuel will have a significant impact on the ratio of EV and HEV sales.
-
Small Signs of Recovery in Japan’s Domestic Motorcycle Market
Akihiro Komuro While car sales have been hit hard by the Coronavirus disaster, there are small signs of a recovery in the Japanese domestic motorcycle market. According to the Japan Mini Vehicle Association, new motorcycle sales in April 2020 (125 to 250cc) were up 2.0% YOY to 7,772 units.
This is the fourth consecutive month of YOY growth. Some observers believe this is a rebound from the decline following the October 2019 sales tax hike. This growth also is partly due to the growing need by commuters to use motorcycles as an alternative to public transportation to avoid coronavirus.
-
South Korea: Hyundai and Kia Expand EV Models
According to the Hyundai Motor Group, both Hyundai and Kia plan to offer 44 eco-car models by 2025, more than half of which will be dedicated to EVs (23 models).
Akihito Komuro Hyundai revealed in its 2025 strategy announced at the end of last year that it would increase EV and FCV sales to 560,000 and 110,000 units respectively. Kia has set a goal of selling 500,000 EVs and 1 million eco-cars by 2026, with 11 EV models available across all vehicle classes by 2025.
Source: …
-
Joint Development of Fuel Cell Trucks Advances
The development of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that use hydrogen as a fuel for heavy-duty trucks is accelerating. Since the start of 2020, major manufacturers such as Hino, Isuzu, and Daimler have been announcing cooperation with other companies one after another.
Akihito Komuro In April, Daimler and Volvo announced that they would establish a 50-50 joint venture to develop and mass produce fuel cell heavy-duty trucks.
-
JAPAN REPORT: The Impact of COVID-19 on Manufacturers
Japanese OEMs are struggling to adapt to the COVID-19 problem. Plants are being temporarily shut down and production adjustments are being made.
Akihiro Komuro While domestic plants are generally operating quietly, overseas bases are being affected in various ways, depending on the country. Here is a summary of announcements by the major companies.
-
Coronavirus Has Major Impact on Global Production of Off-Highway Equipment and Medium & Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Download Your PDF Copy of the Presentation
ST. PAUL, MN–A team of international analysts from Power Systems Research (PSR) analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the global production of Off-Highway Equipment and MH-Duty Vehicles in several regions today.
The team examined the impact of the coronavirus in North America, Europe, Asia, India, and South America for the remainder of 2020 and into Q1 2021. Download your copy of the presentation here.
-
Dealing With Coronavirus
At Power Systems Research our business is based on being informed: Globally, and in several important industry segments.
Even as the coronavirus affects markets and industries and companies worldwide, we’re continuing to work effectively for our clients. We’re adjusting our operations hourly to meet the changing needs caused by coronavirus. Our IT staff has adapted PSR systems so our analysts around the world can work at home and communicate easily and effectively with each other and with the home office.
TPI
PSR Truck Production Index
Free quarterly global commercial vehicle production report.
Alternative Power Report
The latest EV and power source news including batteries and fuel cells with analysis by PSR experts.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research’s analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe View Archive
OE Link™ Offers
Global
Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Current Reports
Download complimentary reports that show the type of information available from Power Systems Research.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe