News

  • Moscow Boat Show 2020 Much Different than Previous Years

    MOSCOW–The Moscow Boat Show conducted here March 5-9 in the Crocus City Expo center occupied two exhibition halls with total square of 19,000 sq.m., but it was much different in several ways than previous shows.

    Maxim Sakov
    Maxim Sakov

    The number of boats shown was 30% less than during last year’s event. And the organizers of the show left a lot of empty space even in the dedicated halls. This looked strange because often there were only narrow passages between boats.

    Surprisingly, more than 50% of the boats at the fair were produced domestically. Jeanneau, Beneteau and some other brands were also here, brought by a local dealer, but in smaller sizes and numbers than last year’s show. Some EU and Turkish shipyards exhibited at the fair, but did not bring anything besides marketing materials.

    Read More »

  • The Impact of Coronavirus on China Society and Economy – A Personal Perspective

    (ST. PAUL, Minn., USA) – Our team members in China face daily challenges as they navigate the myriad regulations and safety measures implemented by local authorities and the national government attempting to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID19).  

    Confinement to home is the hardest part.  Schools have yet to re-open after the Spring Festival holiday.  Special IDs proving one is a local resident must be presented when going outside.  Store visits are restricted to one person per household every two to five days, depending on your location. 

    Read More »

  • Foton To Produce Trucks in Brazil Again

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

    Foton says it will start producing Trucks in Guaíba-RS, in the facility formerly designated for his own factory. However, the production will be handled by GEFCO under a manufacturing contract, with parts imported from China. Previously, Foton assembled its trucks at the Agrale plant, also in Rio Grande do Sul state, to meet commitments made under government incentive programs. The number of models built here is likely…

    Read More »

  • 2020 Wheel Loaders/Dozers Production Forecast: 20,200

    This is an updated version of an article that initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

    This is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Wheel Loaders to be produced in the United States in 2020.

    Carol Turner
    Carol Turner

    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.

    Market Share: With combined plant totals of 47%, Caterpillar leads in production of Wheel Loaders/Dozers in the United States. In second position is Deere with 22%. Third, is Case New Holland with 8%.

    Read More »

  • EV Postal Delivery Motorcycle Is Honda’s New Opportunity

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

    JAPAN–Honda plans to introduce 200 electric motorcycles for postal delivery services by March 2020, and around 2,000 units are expected be introduced in FY2020. Approximately 85,000 postal delivery motorcycles are running in Japan today, and all are made by Honda. There are also three-wheel models, but most are Super Cubs, which has a reputation for reliability. At first, these EV bikes will be deployed in Tokyo, where the driving range is small, and in other local ordinance-designated cities.

    Akihiro Komuro
    Akihito Komuro

    The base unit is the electric motorcycle for business use, the Benly e-series. Honda will start selling it to corporations in April 2020. This is a 96V system in which two lithium-ion batteries with a voltage of 48V are connected in series. Charging is performed by removing the battery from the vehicle and using a special charger; it takes about four hours to reach full charge from zero.

    Honda says the bike has a maximum output of 3.8PS and achieves a 12-degree slope uphill performance with maximum load capacity. The cruising range is 87km for Benly e: I and 43km for Benly e: II. According to Honda officials, the bike can be operated for one day considering the delivery range, but in most cases it will return to the post office during lunch break, and a battery can be replaced at that time.

    Source: Response

    Read More »

  • We Expect 2020 NA Overall OEM Production To Be Flat

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

    SUMMARY.  The North American economy remained stable in 2019 and pure economic conditions as well as fundamentals in the region were favorable. Most industries performed very well, and the short-term outlook remains stable to flat for most market segments. However, we see many new developments that could suggest a shift in the trend.

    Yosyf Sheremeta
    Yosyf Sheremeta

    Consumer confidence declined slightly in December, following a moderate increase in November.  The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index stood at 126.5 in December, 1.4 points higher than in September 2019. 

    Per Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, their expectations declined, driven primarily by a softening in their short-term outlook regarding jobs and financial prospects. While the economy hasn’t shown signs of further weakening, there is little to suggest that growth, and in particular consumer spending, will gain momentum in early 2020.”

    Read More »

  • 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,…

    Read More »

  • 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…

    Read More »

  • 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…

    Read More »

  • 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…

    Read More »

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