-
Powersports Segment Growth Ignores COVID-19

Michael Aistrup While much of the North American economy slowed to a crawl after COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020, the powersports industry posted significant growth. Many people, weary of staying at home, found a cure for cabin fever while riding an off-road vehicle or experiencing socially distant spaces on trails. By all indications, the sales increase in powersports equipment has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise grim COVID-19 economy.
According to Jeremy Jansen, senior vice president of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking’s distribution financing business, “What started out as a slight uptick has just taken off to record sales levels,” he said. “Dirt bikes, ATVs, side by sides, personal transport vehicles — everything in the book is retailing well above prior year.” After plummeting briefly in mid-March amid the initial shutdown, powersports sales skyrocketed in the ensuing months.
-
DataPoint: U.S. Trenchers, 2020 Production Estimate, 5,768 Units
The 5,768 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Trenchers to be produced in the U.S. in 2020.
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.
-
Power Systems Research Webinar Series
Interested in presenting a webinar with Power Systems Research? It could be an effective marketing opportunity for your company if COVID-19 continues to shutdown industry gatherings this year as it did in 2020.
-
2020, A Year to Forget for MHV; 2021 Is Looking Better

Chris Fisher SUMMARY: In this article we provide a global overview on a regional basis of the medium and heavy commercial vehicle market (GVWR > 6 MT’s) along with current trends and OEM happenings in North America.
NORTH AMERICA. MHCV production in North America is expected to decline by 35% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, orders for class 8 trucks improved significantly in Q4 2020 as large fleets placed their orders for a 2021 build. This appears to signal an improvement in demand for 2021 as the market aligns itself with the expected freight level moving forward. The consumer segment was strong during the last half of the year and the industrial segment is now expected to improve, as well.
-
PSR/JCB Power Systems Construction Outlook Webinar
On November 30th, Power Systems Research with JCB Power Systems presented a webinar providing the 2021 outlook for construction equipment production and engine emissions trends in North America, South America and Europe.
The presentation included the latest information on COVID-19 impacts on construction equipment production. JCB Power Systems provided details regarding emissions in developing engine technologies that are coming to market across the globe.
PSR-JCB Power Systems Construction Equipment…
-
Thailand Sets Incentives for EV investment
The Thai government has introduced a new investment incentive program to encourage domestic production of EVs. The new incentives will exempt the payment of corporate tax for eight years for those who invest more than 5 billion baht (about 17 billion yen) to produce an EV.
-
Hyundai’s Unmanned Cargo Plane Concept Aims for 2026

Akihiro Komuro Hyundai Motor Co. has begun developing an unmanned aircraft for cargo transport and has announced the concept of “air cargo” to be commercialized in 2026. The company is already developing a personal aerial vehicle (PAV) that will be responsible for moving people around in urban areas, and this technology will be applied to cargo transport aircraft. It is envisioned as a transport aircraft that will carry more cargo than drones carrying small cargo.
-
Kawasaki To Spin Off Motorcycle and Engine Business
Kawasaki Heavy Industries said it will spin off its motorcycle and engine business in April 2021. The business is the only B2C business in KHI. By spinning off the business, the company aims to speed up decision-making and offer new products and services for consumers.
-
Makita Engine Products To Be Discontinued in March 2022
Makita, a major power tool company, will discontinue the production of engine products such as engine mowers, engine chainsaws, and other engine products for garden equipment at the end of March 2022. The company will concentrate its resources on its mainstay rechargeable power tools and garden equipment, for which demand is expected to increase in the future. Annual sales of engine products account for less than 2% of the total.
Source: The Nikkei
PSR Analysis: I visited Makita's booth at the Agri…
-
First Electric Highway Buses Start Operation in Southern Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi Intercity transportation of passengers by highway buses started in a new phase with the beginning of the operation of the first full electric plug in bus. It is Marcopolo Viaggio 1050 bus, assembled on BYD D9A 20.410 chassis, operated by Turis Silva. This initiative is also supported by EDP Smart, a division of Energy Solutions of EDP, a company of the electrical segment.