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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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Near Term Recession Fears Recede in North America
SUMMARY. The North American economy remained stable in 2019 and pure economic conditions as well as fundamentals in the region were favorable. Most industries performed very well, and the short-term outlook remains stable to flat for most market segments. However, we see many new developments that could suggest a shift in the trend.

Yosyf Sheremeta Consumer confidence declined slightly in December, following a moderate increase in November. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index stood at 126.5 in December, 1.4 points higher than in September 2019.
Per Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, their expectations declined, driven primarily by a softening in their short-term outlook regarding jobs and financial prospects. While the economy hasn’t shown signs of further weakening, there is little to suggest that growth, and in particular consumer spending, will gain momentum in early 2020.”
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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 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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Isuzu Agrees To Buy Volvo’s UD Trucks Unit
PSR Analysis: Isuzu has agreed to form a business alliance with Sweden’s Volvo in the Truck field and to acquire Volvo’s UD Trucks subsidiary. The amount of the acquisition depends on the negotiations, but Isuzu sees UD Trucks as a business size of 250 billion yen.