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The Impact of Coronavirus on China Society and Economy – A Personal Perspective
(ST. PAUL, Minn., USA) – Our team members in China face daily challenges as they navigate the myriad regulations and safety measures implemented by local authorities and the national government attempting to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID19).
Confinement to home is the hardest part. Schools have yet to re-open after the Spring Festival holiday. Special IDs proving one is a local resident must be presented when going outside. Store visits are restricted to one person per household every two to five days, depending on your location.
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Foton To Produce Trucks in Brazil Again
This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK ™ News.
Foton says it will start producing Trucks in Guaíba-RS, in the facility formerly designated for his own factory. However, the production will be handled by GEFCO under a manufacturing contract, with parts imported from China. Previously, Foton assembled its trucks at the Agrale plant, also in Rio Grande do Sul state, to meet commitments made under government incentive programs. The number of models built here is likely…
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2020 Wheel Loaders/Dozers Production Forecast: 20,200
This is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Wheel Loaders to be produced in the United States in 2020.

Carol Turner This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.
Market Share: With combined plant totals of 47%, Caterpillar leads in production of Wheel Loaders/Dozers in the United States. In second position is Deere with 22%. Third, is Case New Holland with 8%.
Exports: Collectively, up to 35% worldwide
Trends: In 2018, production of Wheel Loaders/Dozers in the United States increased 3.3% over 2017. The increase in 2018 is attributed to record mining related activities that is also the prime reason for the 2019 decline. Production in 2019 dropped 3.6% from 2018. The decline also is attributed to Tier 4 engine regulations and new machine designs that significantly increased machine cost. To offset this increase, new products deliver greater production and improved profits.
The machines are designed to carry an array of materials for construction, industrial and mining applications. Production is expected to fluctuate over the next 3-5 years based on global economic factors and conditions; we could see a gain up to 5%. PSR
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research.
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Thailand Auto Industry Brakes Sharply
This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.
THAILAND–Vehicles produced in Thailand are exported to the world, including Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Europe. However, the automobile industry is in trouble because of the double punch of the global economy slowing down due to the US-China trade friction and the spread of the new coronavirus.

Akihito Komuro Exports, which account for half of Thailand's automobile production, where Japanese and other automakers such…
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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 The truck looks…
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Opel Bets on Russia
This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.
Opel is back in Russia, and the company appears to be betting the Russian market can provide a significant opportunity for business diversification.

Maxim Sakov In 2019, company sales declined as the business was reorganized, and Opel cut its model portfolio.
According to reports, 96% of Opel sales are concentrated in Europe. This fact has determined a focus point for sales increase. In 2022, Opel expects to be in 20 new export…
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New India Budget Disappoints Auto Industry
This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.
Source: Business Today Read The Article

Ritvik Kulkarni PSR Analysis: The Indian Automotive Industry was largely left disappointed with the budget after no direct steps were taken to arrest the decline in automotive sales. Although keeping long term benefits in mind, the budget did introduce measures to boost the rural economy, which in turn will directly benefit the commercial vehicle industry which is an important driver for the economy.
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Colombia 2019 Car Sales Increase
This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Fabio Ferraresi Despite the poor performance of auto sales in Latin America countries such as Mexico and Argentina, Colombia keep growing sales of cars as Brazil, with 2.7% growth with 263,700 units in 2019. Colombia also leads in EV/HEV sales gains. The forecast for 2020 is that sales will continue growing at the same rate.
Source: Andemos Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Pent up demand for vehicles…
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CASE IH Posts Record Sales for Sugar Cane Harvesters in South America

Fabio Ferraresi CASE IH celebrates positive results in 2019 with 649 sugar cane harvesters sold in Brazil in 2019 being 50% made by CASE. Case points the share growth to the improvements made at the model A8000 that can make up to 15% on operational cost savings and robustness for those machines that operates over 4,000 hours per year.
Source: M&T Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Agricultural business remains strong. Despite lower sales of small tractors dedicated to small…
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