News

2020-02-25

CONEXPO We’ll Be Looking for You at CONEXPO

Read our staff reports from CONEXPO.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is North America’s largest construction trade show representing the construction and concrete industries.  Even though we’ll have a full team at the show with nearly a dozen PSR representatives, it will be difficult to hit all of the 2,800 exhibitor areas so let us know how we can meet up with you.

We always welcome the opportunity to engage and meet with the industry.  An in-person meeting provides that chance to place a face with a name, discuss industry trends as well as explore any challenges that we might be able to help you tackle!

If there’s a time that works best for us to visit with you at the show, please let us know.  Just call or drop us an email.

Email us at info@powersys.com or call us at 651.905.8400, and we’ll plan to get together.   PSR

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.

Akihiro Komuro
Akihito Komuro

Exports, which account for half of Thailand’s automobile production, where Japanese and other automakers such as Toyota and Honda have production bases, have fallen, and vehicle production turned negative for the first time in five years in 2019. In addition, the spread of the new coronavirus is catching up. It is expected that the impact on Thailand’s automobile industry will be even greater if the shutdown of factories in China and production cutoffs are prolonged and parts procurement is delayed.

Source: NHK

PSR Analysis: From about September 2019, it has been reported that many Southeast Asian automobile industries, including Thailand, have begun to slow down, but this has been attributed to a slowdown in trade due to US-China trade friction.

Today, of course, there is the same problem, but the rapid spread of COVID-19 is a new problem. Many automotive industries around the world are supported by the supply of parts from China, and a slowdown in supply could severely impact car production. Especially in Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Indonesia.  PSR

Akihiro Komuro is a Research Analyst covering the Far East and Southeast Asia for Power Systems Research.

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
Maxim Sakov

The truck looks somewhat like the Volvo Vera truck.

Last year, KAMAZ started testing a driverless truck developed for coal transportation in one of Kuzbass mines. It is equipped with cruise-control and a system for bypassing obstacles and making lane changes.    

Read the Article

PSR Analysis: The future is next door. Of course, it’s a long way from the patent to the working vehicle, but the trend is clear. KAMAZ has concentrated technologies for creation of a driverless electric truck and has patented them. PSR

Elabuga Plant Begins Production of Bobcat B780

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

In January Bobcat announced local production of its B780 wheel loaders. The model will be assembled in Elabuga, Tatarstan.

“Russia is an important market for Bobcat wheel loaders, and for the company in general,” said Yaroslav Fisher, director of Bobcat’s wheel loader production, Doosan Bobcat EMEA. “(Local production and the certification of the right of mark “Made in Russia” will be done. Bobcat engineers will control all the production processes in the plant to ensure the product quality conforms with company standards.”-

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: One more localized product. At the moment it’s SKD assembly with the prospect of components being produced locally. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant, in Russia for Power Systems Research

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
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 markets. After 20 years of financial losses, the very first year within the Peugeot SA structure was quite profitable for Opel (plus 859 million Euro for 2018).

Meanwhile, the Russian PSA plant in Kaluga has begun final preparations for production of Zafira Life and Vivaro minivans.    

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: It appears that Opel has decided to start with minivans in the Russian market, and it is targeting the LCV niche where the chances for success are better than in passenger cars. While individual consumer demand is declining for LCVs, the companies making the vehicles locally can receive State and municipal orders for vehicles.

Last year, the State placed big orders for ambulances and school buses, sharing the orders between the GAZ Group and other local OEMs. At the same time, new models of passenger cars produced abroad, like Opel Crossland X, did not post good sales in the Russian market. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant in Russia for Power Systems Research

Dieselzipservice Starts Producing M401D Engines

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Dieselzipservice has started mass production of the M400D and M401D marine diesel engines it has developed. These propulsion engines are installed on hydrofoil ships and speedboats for river and sea use.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The tech features provides increased power with reduced fuel consumption and improved ecological performance.    

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The group of companies identified as Dieselzipservice is an engine marinizer and marine engine repair company. Marine propulsion engine production is a new business for the company. Still, it has a good chance for success because this market niche in Russian has a lot of room for newcomers. Top world players, like Volvo, Mercury, MTU and others have limited their presence in the market with Western sanctions, the local product is still undeveloped, and engines from China often are reliable. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant in the Russian operation of Power Systems Research.

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
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.

Read More»

Auto Expo 2020 Misses Majors But Shows Many New Products

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Ritvik Kulkarni
Ritvik Kulkarni

The 15th edition of the biennial Auto Expo 2020 in New Delhi posted a record turnout of visitors. Despite missing out on mega launches and lukewarm participation by many OEMs, and absentees like Honda, Toyota, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Audi, Hero Moto Corp, TVS Motors, Bajaj Auto and Royal Enfield the auto show presented many futuristic concepts and cleaner vehicles.

Source: ET Auto.com  Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With the entire country gearing up for the imminent transition to cleaner emission norms in BS6, and the uncertainty over the recovery of a bad 2019, it was impressive that the Auto Expo 2020 registered a record attendance.

Read More»

Colombia 2019 Car Sales Increase

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Fabio Ferraresi
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 coupled with a strong economy is expected to keep the car market in Colombia growing. The currency devaluation in 2019 affected the market, since a significant portion of vehicles are imported or assembled in Colombia under the CKD model. It is an important time for exports from Brazil, that went through currency devaluation as well and for local producers such as GM Colmotores and Hino.   PSR

CASE IH Posts Record Sales for Sugar Cane Harvesters in South America

Fabio Ferraresi
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 business due to lower credit, heavy production equipment sales remain strong because of record production of grains and other agricultural products. PSR