Reports

Today Joe Delmont presents the 2021 forecast for Motorcycle production in North America. This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst of Global Operations at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.

Transcript

Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast produced by Power Systems Research.

00:06

From Power Systems Research I’m Joe Delmont, editor of PSR PowerTALK. Today we’ll discuss a datapoint covering 2021 North American production of on-road motorcycles.

When we talk about North America in this podcast, we mean Mexico and the United States only. For purposes of this podcast, the motorcycle unit is defined as any two-wheeled on-road vehicle. Other three-wheeled vehicles such as the BRP Spyder and the Polaris Slingshot are classified as motorcycles by the Department of Transportation, but they are included in other of our production reports.

This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst of Global Operations at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.

00:58

We expect that production of the motorcycle units in North America this year will be about 525400 units. That would be up about 7100 units, or almost 16%, from 2020. The gain is mainly due to increased production by Italika in Mexico.

In 2020, we saw a huge drop in production from the previous year. 2020 production was 453300 units. Down nearly 19%, or about 104000 units, from 2019.

Even with a strong increase this year, annual production will still be 32000 units less than that of 2019, when 557400 units were built. This years production is still down about 6% from 2019.

01:56

Mexico-based Italika leads in the production of on road motorcycles with 54% of total units produced in North America. In second position is Harley-Davidson with 44%, and 3rd is Polaris Industries, with only about 2%.

As much as 20% of US production of on-road motorcycles is shipped worldwide. Leading producer Italika exports throughout Central and South America to countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Brazil and Puerto Rico.

Italika reports record first half 2021 sales of 480000 units for all products; up 33% from 2020 and up about 2% from 2019, thanks to outstanding performance in Mexico. The company has plans to expand its Toluca plant to make up to 750000 units per year. Sales demand is being driven by the fact that motorcycles are a more affordable alternative to using mass transit. The increase is attributed to the demand for new fuel efficient models along with seasonably warm spring and fall weather. Lower pricing has also led to an increase in purchases.

03:13

However, the motorcycle market overall is losing buyers. Industry’s observer notes that baby boomers have been the main target in the motorcycle industry for the last four decades; but, millennials have not been purchasing motorcycles. This is mostly due to age and financial factors.

Boosted by COVID-19 factors, expect production to gain as much as 10% by 2025.

03:41

This data is pulled from two of the major Power Systems Research databases: OE Link — the database of OEM production and forecast data, and EnginLink — which provides engine production forecast and specification data.

Look for datapoint reports every month in the PSR PowerTALK news report and on this podcast.

Contact us for more information on other off-road products and on-highway vehicles.

04:09

To read a transcript of this podcast, visit the PSR website at powersys.com and click on the podcast archive.

Thank you for joining the PSR PowerTALK podcast. This podcast will be available on demand. Search for “PSR PowerTALK” in your podcast app or Google “Power Systems Research” to sign up today.

Today Joe Delmont presents the 2021 forecast for Tactical Military Equipment production in North America. This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst of Global Operations, at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.

Transcript

Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast produced by Power Systems Research.

00:06

From Power Systems Research I’m Joe Delmont, editor of PSR PowerTALK.

Today we’ll discuss a datapoint covering 2021 North American production of tactical military equipment.

When we talk about North America in this podcast, we mean Canada and the United States. For purposes of this podcast, the tactical military equipment is defined as any tracked and wheeled vehicle for land-based military transport and activity.

This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst of Global Operations at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.

00:52

We expect that production of these units in North America this year will be about 7400 units. That would be up about 1200 units, or 20% from last year.

In 2020 we saw a big drop from the previous year. 2020 production was down nearly 24%, or nearly 2000 units from 2019.

As much as 70% of North American production of tactical military equipment is shipped worldwide.

01:26

Oshkosh Defense leads in the production of these military units with 52% of total units produced. In second position is AM General with about 39%, and 3rd is General Dynamics Land Systems with combined plant totals of about 4%.

01:46

Orders for new military equipment are on the increase along with the remanufacturing of existing units.

The outlook is especially positive for Oshkosh Defense, which produces the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, dubbed the JTLV. This unit is expected to replace a large number of the humvee fleets now operated by the Army and the Marines. According to the Marine Corps, orders for the JTLV could increase significantly in the coming years as interest grows among Defense Department customers and overseas allies. Oshkosh Defense, which has delivered more than 100,000 tactical armored vehicles, has been selected as the prime contractor.

Expect production to increase up to 10% over the next five years as defense budgets increase for new military vehicles.

02:43

This data is pulled from two of the major Power Systems Research databases: OE Link — the database of OEM production and forecast data, and EnginLink — which provides engine production, forecasts, and specification data.

Look for datapoint reports every month in the PSR PowerTALK news report and on this podcast.

Contact us for more information on other off-road products and on-highway vehicles.

03:12

To read a transcript of this podcast, visit the PSR website at powersys.com and click on the podcast archive.

Thank you for joining the PSR PowerTALK podcast. This podcast will be available on demand. Search for “PSR PowerTALK” in your podcasts app or Google “Power Systems Research” to sign up today.

Today Joe Delmont presents the 2021 forecast for global Outboard motor production in North Ameria, Japan, Brazil, China and Thailand. This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, senior analyst of global operations, at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.

Transcript

Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast produced by Power Systems Research.

00:06

From Power Systems Research I’m Joe Delmont, editor of PSR PowerTALK.

Today we’ll discuss a data point covering 2021 global production of outboard motors. We’ll be looking at motors production in Brazil, China, Japan, Thailand and the United States.

This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, a senior analyst of global operations at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.

00:38

Only 12% of global production of outboards is produced in the US. It’s done primarily by Mercury Marine and Bombardier Recreational Products.

Japan is the leading producer of outboards. Building more than 71% of the units. And Yamaha Marine produces 43.5% of the units built in Japan.

Thailand is expected to produce about 9% of total global production of outboards.

China is 4th at about 7.5%.

01:13

Yamaha builds more outboard motors than anyone. It has 48.5% of the market and is expected to build almost 251,000 units in Japan this year and another 28,600 units in Thailand. In second position is Tohatsu with 15%, and 3rd is Mercury Marine with combined plant totals also of about 15%.

01:35

Outboard motors are generally defined as detachable boating engines mounted on the stern of a boat on outboard motor brackets and are typically either 2 stroke or 4 stroke engines.

The first outboard was produced by Ole Evinrude in 1909.

Outboard motors can be very powerful units with output ranging as high as 425 horsepower.

02:03

In 2021, we estimate that global outboard motor production will reach about 618,800 units. That’s up about 43,000 units, or seven and a half percent, from the 575,800 units produced last year.

In 2019, though, global production was 680,400 units; so, production this year will still be down about 9% from 2 years ago.

02:38

Despite COVID related factors, boat sales soared when stay-at-home consumers began looking for recreation.

However, manufacturing dropped mostly due to BRP canceling production of Evinrude Motors in May of 2020.

Yamaha reported unit sales of 279,000 in 2020; a 10% cut from the 310,000 it did in 2019.

Mercury Marine discontinued a variety of unpopular Marine and Mercury models, especially its two stroke models.

Outboard motor production peaked in 2018 and that was mostly attributed to the demand for new models, along with the soaring economy.

Outboard motors tend to last decades before owners purchased a new model.

In recent years, new motors are more powerful, but lighter in weight and more fuel efficient, and this certainly attracts consumers.

03:41

Boating is an extremely popular recreational activity worldwide; and enthusiasts want a motor that is powerful but also versatile. The growth in recreational boating over the past several years has been driven in large part by advances in outboard motor power.

Expect production of outboard engines to gain up to 15% by 2025.

04:06

This data is pulled from two of the major Power Systems Research databases: OE Link — which is the database of OEM production and forecast data, and EnginLink — which provides engine production, forecasts, and specification data.

Look for DataPoint reports every month in the PSR PowerTALK news report and on this podcast.

Contact us for more information on other off-road products and on-highway vehicles.

04:36

To read a transcript of this podcast, visit the website at powersys.com and click on the podcast archive.

Thank you for joining the PSR PowerTALK podcast. This podcast will be available on demand. Search for “PSR PowerTALK” in your podcast app or Google “Power Systems Research” to sign up today.

Power Systems Research forecasts that the number of personal watercraft produced in North America in 2021 will reach 104,200 units; an increase over 2020 levels of about 24%.

This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst – Global Operations, at Power Systems Research.

Transcript 

Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast produced by Power Systems Research. 

00:06 

From Power Systems Research I’m Joe Delmont, editor of PSR PowerTALK. Today we will discuss a data point covering personal watercraft production in North America this year.  

This forecast has been developed by Carol Turner, Senior Analyst of Global Operations at Power Systems Research. Carol provides annual production forecasts for important equipment applications.  

Personal watercraft, sometimes called PWC’s or jet skis, can accommodate up to four persons and are primarily designed for marine recreation, although they also are used for water patrols and industrial activities. 

00:50 

Jet skis hit rough times in recent years. Production of PWC’s in North America dropped 8700 units, or almost 10%, in 2020. 

In 2019, North American production was 93,000 units. The next year production dropped to 84,250 units. Production was reduced in 2020 because of plant shutdowns and parts shortages caused by the pandemic. 

While COVID caused plant closures, it also drove demand as consumers look for ways to spend their extra time and cash. 

01:35 

Things are looking much brighter this year than in 2020. Production this year is expected to surge 24% to about 104,000 units. This is based on high demand for recreational products like these watercraft.  

01:53 

The National Marine Manufacturer’s Association tells us that the boating industry is booming, and that demand is at a record high as Americans are spending more time on the water this summer. 

The popularity of outdoor activities has increased in part because of the pandemic, where people are enjoying off-road riding in the dirt — on motorcycles and four wheelers, and on the water — in boats and personal watercraft.  

Expect PWC production in North America to ride this wave and to increase up to 10% by 2025. 

02:35 

The leading personal watercraft manufacturers in North America are Yamaha, which has almost 50% of total North American production. In second position is BRP with 43 1/2%, and 3rd is Kawasaki with a distant 7%.  

In announcing financial results recently, BRP said that its Sea-Doo sales for 2020 increased by 7% over the previous year. This, in spite of its Mexico plant having been shut down for two full months as a result of the COVID pandemic.  

The company also noted that approximately half of all its Sea-Doos sold in 2020 were purchased by first time buyers. They’re typically younger, with a higher ratio of women, the company said.  

Look for an electric personal watercraft from BRP in the next few years. The company recently announced plans to invest $300 million over the next five years to offer options to consumers; with electric models in each of its power sports and marine product lines by the end of calendar year 2026. 

03:53 

This data is pulled from two of the major Power Systems Research databases.  OE Link is the database of OEM production and forecast data, and EnginLink — which provides engine production forecasts and specification data.  

Look for data point reports every month in the PSR PowerTALK News report and on this podcast. Remember, to read a transcript of this podcast visit the PSR website at powersys.com and click on the podcast archive. 

Contact us for more information on other marine products such as outboard motors and pleasure craft. 

04:31 

Thank you for joining the PSR PowerTALK podcast. This podcast will be available on demand. Search for “PSR PowerTALK” in your podcast app or Google “Power Systems Research” to sign up today.