PowerTALK Reports

The bad times in the India automobile market started with the slowdown in Q4 2018, triggered by the NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Companies) crisis, reports the September issue of PowerTALK™ News. Since then it has been 10 consecutive months of hard times for almost all automobile segments.

Weak market sentiments and an overall economic slowdown have added to existing reasons for low sales.

The other top stories in this issue of PowerTALK™ News include:
• Trouble in India’s Motown
• CNH Plans Major Changes
• DataPoint: NA Aircraft Support Equipment
• Great Wall Motor Plan Europe Expansion
• Toyota Plans Hybrid Flex Fuel Production in Brazil
• Brazil, Argentina Sign Auto Free Trade Pact
• Doosan Bobcat Opens Manufacturing India Plant
• Toyota To Invest US$ 300 Million in St. Petersburg Plant

North America Economy Slows and Shifts

The August 2019 issue of PowerTALK News, the monthly report of world news and analysis from Power Systems Research, contains an economic outlook report for North America and a guest editorial by Mr. Kenichiro Wada, who discusses the near-term problems facing Japanese auto OEMs as they develop autonomous vehicles.

The North American economic forecast by Yosyf Sheremeta, Director of Product Management & Customer Experience. During H1 2019, he writes, the economy remained stable and pure economic conditions in the region were favorable. Most industries performed very well, and the short-term outlook remains flat to positive for most market segments. “However,” he writes, “we see many new developments that could suggest a shift in the trend.”

Here are other Top Stories in the August issue:

• Guest Editorial: Japanese Autonomous
• Data Point: US Off-Hwy Trucks
• China Has Largest EV Charging Network
• Brazil Harvester Sales Grow
• CAT Brazil Shows New Units
• Manitou Sees Slowdown
• Doosan Introduces Electric Units
• India 2-Wheel Sales Fall
• India 2-Wheel Inventories Climb
• Russian Auto Plant Begun
• Russian Machinery Sales Up 30%
• Russia, China Team Up

Across all market segments, we expect overall total OEM equipment production numbers to be flat for 2019, which is in line with our previous projection in Q4 2018 at -0.6%. We see an almost flat to slightly lower level of overall activity in 2020 at -2.0%, as the overall economy reaches its peak in productivity, and as demand levels decline going into 2020-2021.

We saw a slight drop in demand for consumer products, starting at the end of 2016-2017, but the overall level of demand remained stable in 2018. We project these markets to be flat this year. Most of the decline is cyclical and is mainly due to markets having reached their peaks in 2016-2018. At this point, over the mid-term and long-term, we do not expect any major or significant declines in any of the segments.

Read his complete report  in the August issue of PowerTALK.

Global Truck Production Picked Up in Q2 2019 

Global truck production picked up in Q2 2019, according to the proprietary Truck Production Index (TPI) produced by Power Systems Research. YoY numbers were flat, however. The report is contained in the July issue of PowerTALK, the monthly newsletter produced  by Power Systems Research. 

Other top stories in this issue of PowerTALK include:

• Data Point: US Combine Production
• Brazil Auto Parts Sales Increase
• Global Economic Growth Cycle Slows
• Brazil Plans Energy Cost Reductions
• Toyota Sets China Battery Partnership
• China Auto Sales Decline Sharply
• Daimler-BAIC Partnership Strengthened
• Kawasaki Plans Hydrogen Liquefaction Expansion
• India Used Car Sales Climb
• Russia Dropping Electric Car Plans for NG
• Auto OEMs Get Russia Support

NA Production of Terminal Tractors Slows

Production of Terminal Tractors in North America this year is expected to hit 6,900 units, up about 2% from 2018. But that increase is off from the 17% YoY gain posted last year over 2017.

Read Carol Turner’s report in he June issue of PowerTALK. You’ll also find Dennis Huibregtse’s comments on the rapid development of hydrogen fuel cells and the increasing activity on the automobile scene in South America. 

Top Stories in the June 2019 issue of PowerTALK include:
• Executive Notes: Fuel Cell Technology
• Brazil Engine Hub Planned
• Garett To Build Cars in Brazil
• Columbia Car Sales Grow
• China Plans Tough Pollution Controls
• CeMat Germany Dropped
• Hyundai-Kia JV Builds EVs in India
• India Car Plants Cut Production
• KAMAZ-Daimler Launch Russia JV
• Ford Eyes Russia Plant Plan
• Japan Mandates Fuel Efficiency
• Doosan Sees 14% Growth
• Myanmar Auto Auction

New Initiatives Announced at Power Systems Research

New initiatives at Power Systems Research (PSR) are spelled out by Joe Zirnhelt, PSR president and CEO, in the May issue of the company’s monthly PowerTALK report.

Here are more TOP STORIES in PowerTALK, May 2019:

• NA Crane Production Slows
• No Slowdown in NA Economy
• Y-O-Y Global Truck Production Is Flat
• Brazil Agshow Sales Up 6.4%
• China Expands NS6 Emission Regulation
• JCB Lands Record Order
• Honda Readies EV
• SoCar, Tesla Collaborate
• Malaysia Backs National Car Brand
• India Halts e-Bike Sales
• India Tractor Sales Drop
• Russia To Support GAZ Group
• Belaz Tests Driverless Truck
• Hino Truck Builds Plant in Moscow

Zirnhelt discussed new programs and projects that are being developed following the retirements of long-time PSR executives, Dennis Huibregtse and Ted Hadingham, both of whom will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors.

First, he writes, the new partnership of Power Systems Research and IHS Markit, two leaders in the global research of power equipment, is producing a series of Off-Road Equipment Market Reports focused on the construction and agricultural segments targeted to specific countries.

Coming soon is the updated 2019 Edition of the Construction Equipment Report for India. This unique report describes, in detail, important aspects of the Indian construction market. Zirnhelt notes that the two firms are working together on a series of country-level reports that will provide this same level of insight for the construction and agricultural segments. With contributions and expertise from Power Systems Research and IHS Markit, these reports will serve as a valuable tool for clients to assess demand in various markets at a reasonable price point.

The initiatives at PSR also include a new website, which is scheduled to be launhced this summer. The upgrade of our popular website has a dynamic new look, and it’s much easier for visitors to quickly drill down through the large amount of useful information contained on the site to find exactly what they need.

Visitors to the website also will find a convenient Archive of our informative PowerTALK monthly newsletter, and Asian visitors will find easy-to-use bi-lingual sections in Japanese/English and Chinese/English. PSR

Zirnhelt Named President and CEO at Power Systems Research

Significant activities at Power Systems Research (PSR) lead the news report in the April issue of the PowerTALK report.

First, Joe Zirnhelt has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective immediately. He had been serving as Chief Operating Officer. Zirnhelt replaces Dennis Huibregtse as CEO.

Top Stories in April 2019 PowerTALK

• Data Point: Ag Tractors
• PSR Management Transition
• PSR-IHS Markit Form Partnership
• Global Economic Report
• Ford Brazilian Operations
• Brazilian M/C Sales Climb
• Brazilian Ag Credit Limits
• China Rolls Out Fuel Cell Bus
• Electrification Hot at Bauma 2019
• Toyota Pushes Electrification
• Hyundai Invests US$39 Billion
• Ride Share Via Expands
• India Honda Cuts M/C Production
• VW To Double Russian Production

Huibregtse retired last month after 36 years with PSR. Ted Hadingham, who had been serving as President of European Operations for PSR, also has retired. Both men will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors.

Second, PSR announced that it has formed a partnership with IHS Markit for the purpose of producing significant and unique industry reports that are targeted by region and industry segment. The first report is the 2018 India Construction Equipment Report.  For more information contact your PSR sales representative, or email info@powersys.com. PSR

Forklift Production Climbs in 2019

Production of Rough Terrain Forklifts in the U.S. this year is expected to be about 14,400 units, according to Carol Turner, PSR Senior Analyst, Global Operations. Her report is one of the Top Stories in the March 2019 issue of the PSR PowerTALK newsletter.

Other stories include a report on the 2019 Moscow Boat Show, a report on Q4 2018 gen-set sales in North America as part of PSR’s quarterly PowerTRACKER proprietary survey, plus stories from Asia, India, South America and Europe.

TOP STORIES

• Rough Terrain Forklifts
• EGSA Conference Report
• NA Gen-Set Sales
• Argentina LV Production Drops
• Columbia LV Sales Forecast
• China Boosts Methanol Use
• Deutz Posts Strong Earnings
• Kawasaki Completes India Plant
• Doosan Wins Contracts
• Indonesia Backs EVs
• India Plans Tariffs
• India Car Sales Decline
• Moscow Boat Show Report
• Russia Electric Car Market
• Japanese Trucks in Moscow

Ford Plans To Shut Down Brazil Truck Operations

The February 2019 issue of PowerTALK includes information on Ford’s plans to shut down its truck business in Brazil, a report on global Snowmobile production, and a 2019 economic forecast for North America.

Here are other Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK:

• Brazil Off-Hwy. Sales Up 13%
• Michelin Expands in Brazil
• Brazil Investment Growth
• Beijing To Implement NS6b Rule
• Kia Expands in India
• SE Asia Auto Sales Soar
• India Expands EV Measures
• Chetra Builds Deere Components
• VW Ups Russia Investment

Vietnam Auto Industry Develops

The January 2019 issue of PowerTALK includes a report on Vietnam’s auto industry. This is the first in a series of occasional reports on Vietnam business conditions that will be available in PowerTALK.

Here are other Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK:

• Locomotive Production
• Truck Production Climbs
• Beijing To Add 5G for Vehicles
• GM May Leave SA
• Boot Show Sees Strong 2019
• Vietnam Pushes Auto Industry
• Ford May Close Russia Plants
• Hyundai To Open EV Plant

Ceres Power and Weichai Finalize JV in China

Ceres Power, a world-leading, low cost solid oxide fuel cell company, and Weichai Power, one of the leading automobile and equipment manufacturing companies in China, have completed their long-term strategic collaboration announced last May. This includes a Joint Venture agreement with the commitment to create a fuel cell manufacturing JV in China, a license agreement to transfer key technology to the JV and a new £9 million joint development agreement. It also triggers a further £28m equity injection into Ceres Power.

Top stories in this issue of PowerTALK include

• Light Tower Production
• Weichai Completes Hydrogen JV
• 2018 India Auto Report
• Russia Autonomous Vehicle Tests
• Honda Launches EV Scooter
• Rising Demand for Electric Lifts
• Brazil Truck Sales Climb
• Power Gen Show Report