-
2026 Global MHCV Production Increases Seen

Chris Fisher Global medium and heavy truck production is expected to increase in most important regions this year, but China’s MH truck segment probably will see a major structural change. Overall production in South America is expected to be flat, although Argentina is likely to post a gain of almost 10%.
North America. Medium and heavy truck production in North America is expected to increase by 9.4% this year compared with low 2025 production. While class 8 truck production is expected to increase by 11.3% this year as order rates for class 8 trucks improved strongly from December – March.
-
Volvo Moves into Big Electric Equipment

Emiliano Marzoli Volvo Construction Equipment has officially transitioned the A30 Electric and A40 Electric articulated haulers into serial production at its Braås site in Sweden. Originally unveiled as prototypes at bauma 2025, these machines represent the largest electric articulated haulers currently available on the global market, boasting payloads of 29 and 39 tons, respectively.
Designed for high-utilization environments like large-scale infrastructure projects and mining, the haulers offer up to six hours of operation on a single charge, depending on the application. The first production units are scheduled for delivery to customers in the United Kingdom and Norway this month.
This move solidifies Volvo’s commitment to lead the heavy-duty transition, moving beyond compact machines into the most energy-intensive segments of the construction industry.
-
KTM Completes Strategic Realignment
April 2026 marks a pivotal month for KTM as it completes its transition under the Bajaj Mobility AG umbrella. Following a challenging 2025, the company launched the 2026/27 Freeride E, its most advanced electric off-road motorcycle to date. Produced at the expanded E-mobility Hub in Mattighofen, the new model features a 5.5 kWh MX50 battery and a 26 hp motor, representing a major leap in power-to-weight ratio for the brand.
-
Tax Decision on Buses Is Reversed

Fabio Ferraresi The Brazilian federal government reversed the decision to resume the application of taxes affecting school buses acquired under the Caminho da Escola program, administered by the Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento da Educação (FNDE). The discussion involved the potential reintroduction of tax charges impacting the cost structure of buses supplied through the public procurement framework, particularly related to federal and state taxation such as IPI and ICMS, as well as uncertainty…
-
Indian Preet Plans Tractor Manufacturing Plant
Preet, an Indian agricultural machinery manufacturer, has announced plans to establish a tractor production facility in Brazil, in a move to strengthen its presence in the South American agricultural equipment market. The project involves local assembly operations designed to increase market proximity, reduce logistics costs and improve competitiveness in segments typically dominated by established global OEMs.
The investment reflects a strategy to expand the company’s manufacturing footprint in regions with strong demand for agricultural mechanization, particularly in medium-horsepower tractor categories.
-
Selic Interest Rate Cut Has Limited Impact
The initial reduction in Brazil’s benchmark interest rate (Selic) is expected to have limited short-term impact on the automotive sector, according to industry assessments. Despite the start of a monetary easing cycle, financing conditions remain restrictive, with credit costs still elevated compared to historical averages.
-
VWCO Tests B100 Soybean Biodiesel
Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus (VWCO) is conducting tests using B100 soybean-based biodiesel in heavy-duty diesel engines as part of its efforts to evaluate lower-carbon fuel alternatives compatible with existing internal combustion engine (ICE) platforms. The tests aim to assess engine performance, durability and emissions behavior using 100% biodiesel without fossil diesel blending.
-
GAC Plans Vehicle Production in Brazil
Chinese automaker GAC has announced plans to establish vehicle production in Brazil as part of its strategy to expand its presence in Latin America. The initiative involves local manufacturing operations aimed at improving cost competitiveness, mitigating import tariffs and enabling greater alignment with local regulatory and market requirements. The company has been advancing its global expansion strategy with a portfolio that includes internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrains. Local production is expected to support supply chain development and improve access to financing mechanisms tied to domestic manufacturing, while strengthening the brand’s positioning in one of the region’s largest automotive markets.
-
Yanmar To Build Plant for Marine Hydrogen Engines

Akihiro Komuro Yanmar Power Solutions is advancing the development of engines that are compatible with next-generation fuels. In anticipation of future increased production volumes of marine and land-based engines, the company has acquired a site in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture.
The new plant will be used to conduct test runs of marine hydrogen engines and to reorganize and strengthen production capabilities, including those of existing plants. The new plant is scheduled to begin operations about March 2029.
In the marine industry, there are ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize decarbonization technologies with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Leveraging its expertise in engine development and production, Yanmar Power Solutions plans to develop powertrains compatible with next-generation fuels, including hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, and establish production systems to support them.
-
HD Construction Introduces Electric Safety Training
SOUTH KOREAREPORT
In response to the growing adoption of electric construction equipment, HD Construction Equipment has introduced South Korea’s first safety management certification system for high-voltage systems. The system is designed to educate specialists in maintaining and inspecting high-voltage batteries and electrical systems in electric excavators and other machinery.
Recognizing that the expansion of electric construction equipment requires addressing safety risks that differ from those…
OE Link™ Offers
Model Level
Detail
Discover how our OE Link™ database can help you expand your markets.
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.
OE Link™ Offers
Model Detail by
Segment
OE Link™ database delivers OEM products in 13 industry segments, including Agricultural, Construction, Industrial, and Commercial Vehicles.
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
DataPoint Reports
- North America 2026 PWC Production
- North America 2026 Hydroseeders Production
- North America 2026 ATV Production
- North America 2026 Crawler Production
OE Link™ Offers
Global
Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Show Reports
- CONEXPO – Summary Report
- CONEXPO 2026 Shows Hybrid Power Gear
- South America Paving Expo 2025 Sets Records
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