News

  • Bad Weather in Brazil Jeopardizes Ag Machines Market

    BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  
    Fabio Ferraresi
    Fabio Ferraresi

    During the last week of 2021 and the first week of 2022, grain crops faced unfavorable weather conditions. At Mato Grosso and Paraná Regions the lack of rain has been the big problem, while in states like Tocantins and Bahia the problem is an excess of rain, influenced by the climatic phenomenon called La Niña. In some states , such as Paraná, the harvest forecasts are 40% lower than the initial forecast and the losses are estimated at US$ 5 Billion…

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  • 2021 Trailer Industry Grows 33% at 163,000 Units

    The Brazil trailer industry registered 163,000 new license plates in 2021 vs. 122,000 in 2020, growing 33.5%. The result could have been even better since the segment was affected by a lack of components, such as steel, tires, etc. Export sales climbed to 4,600 units vs. 2,100 units in 2021.

    Source: M&T / Anfir     Read The Article

    PSR Analysis: The growth is in line with truck sales that confirm the health of the transportation industry. The growth of exports confirms the recovery…

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  • Brazil Off-Highway, Industrial Segments Expect 4% Growth in 2022

    SOUTH AMERICA REPORT

    According to Abimaq, the total machine segment, that includes Construction Equipment, Agricultural Equipment, Power Gen-Sets, Industrial Equipment and others, grew 20% in 2021 and should grow more than 4% in 2022. When breaking down by subsegment, ABIMAQ see the segments impacted by infrastructure growing around 15% and the segments impacted by Agriculture growing pushed by the harvest growth.

    Source: M&T / Abimaq     Read The Article

    PSR Analysis: The just…

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  • Kohler Engines Introduces Small Diesel

    EUROPE REPORT
    PowerTALK, January 2022

    Kohler Engines has introduced a new series of small diesel engines: the KSD.  At launch three models will be available:

    • KSD 1403NA (Naturally aspirated)
    • KSD 1403TC (Turbocharged)
    • KSD 1403TCA (Turbocharged with aftercooler)

    Later on, more variants will be released, completing further the series.  Developed as a new electronic engine, this platform is capable of meeting all current emissions legislations, globally.  All engines sit in the critical below 19 kW power node, and with 1.4L is a compact solution that can fit different applications.

    One key aspect of the engine is the specific blend between indirect injection and electronic control.  According to Kohler, this enables maximum engine performance, response and very low-end torque. 

    Read The Article

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  • North American Rollers 2021 Production: 6,245 Units

    DATAPOINT

    6,245 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of rollers to be produced in North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico)  during 2021.

    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 48.5% of total units produced, U.S. based Wacker Neuson leads in production of Rollers…

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  • MHV Production Growth Expected in 2022-2023

    Chris Fisher
    Chris Fisher

    Summary: Global demand for Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHV) rebounded in 2021 but overall growth in the segment was flat.  Going forward, we expect the growth to accelerate in 2022 and 2023.   The exceptions to this rebound trend are in China and India, which continue to decline and sharply drive overall global production numbers into negative territory. 

    We expect global production volumes in 2022 to gain 3.7% vs 2021, with a positive trend in all regions, except for China, where we expect production volumes to be down -3.6% in 2022 vs 2021.  China experienced a surge in demand during 2020 due to the change in emissions regulations, so 2021 was down significantly, about 20%. 

    North America: While supply chain disruptions continue to negatively impact the commercial vehicle market, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to finish 2021 15.8% higher than 2020.  The forecasted production growth rate is expected to continue to show improvement through 2023 as supply chain disruptions ease and truck capacity in the market begins to align with demand.  The disruption in the supply chain and on-going issues with Covid will continue to impact the market this year.

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  • Global: Recovery Is Strong, but Uneven

    GLOBAL REPORT
    Yosyf Sheremeta
    Yosyf Sheremeta

    SUMMARY.  The global economy performed very well in 2021 and continues to recover, along with trade, employment and incomes. But the revival is unbalanced, with regions/countries, businesses and people facing very different economic realities. Recent improvements also conceal structural changes, which means that some sectors, jobs, and technologies will not return to their pre-pandemic trends. Based on the most recent economic developments and trends, Power Systems Research remains somewhat optimistic about the global recovery.

    Many of us hoped to be in the post-Covid phase by now, but it is evident that there is no quick way out.  The pandemic has had a profound impact on the world economy, and it will continue to challenge established norms of life and business into the foreseeable future.  As we start the new year, many challenges remain, new and old alike: re-surgency of COVID variants, restrictions on travel, supply chain challenges, shortages of materials/goods, inflation, and employment, as well as renewed geopolitical tensions across many parts of the globe.

    Power Systems Research witnessed a strong economic recovery globally in 2021, despite regional differences.  Output in most OECD countries has now either surpassed or is about to reach pre-pandemic levels, but lower-income economies, particularly those where vaccination rates are low, are at risk of being left behind.  Furthermore, the rebound will continue to vary widely among different market segments.  

    Global inflation re-surfaced in 2021 and presents a real risk to economic recovery in all regions. The renewed inflationary pressure risks lasting longer than was expected a few months ago.  The surge in retail and wholesale energy costs in late 2021 will undermine economic growth prospects for large parts of Europe and Northeast Asia well into 2022.  Rising food and energy prices already have impact on low-income households in particular. 

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  • Indonesia Aims at Lead in Integrated EV Production

    INDONESIA REPORT
    Akihiro Komuro
    Akihiro Komuro

    Investment related to EVs is gaining momentum in Indonesia. While the government is aiming to upgrade the industry by mainly using nickel as a battery material, Hyundai Motor of South Korea and Hon Hai Precision Industry of Taiwan have announced their plans to produce EVs and automotive batteries. If the concentration of industries advances, the country will compete with Thailand, which is also making efforts to attract related industries, for the leading role in EV production in Southeast Asia.

    At the Indonesia International Auto Show, which started in the suburbs of Jakarta on Dec 11, Hyundai Motor’s compact EV “Kona” attracted much attention. The company will begin production in 2022 at its plant in West Java province, which will soon be operational.

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  • Toyota Joins BYD To Build Affordable $30,000 Electric Car

    JAPAN REPORT

    Toyota reportedly has partnered with China’s BYD to develop an affordable electric car to launch next year. The Japanese automaker has widely been recognized as a laggard in the transition to electric vehicles. Years of betting on hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid vehicles has put Toyota behind on battery-electric vehicles.

    Reuters reports Toyota is planning to release a “small and affordable electric sedan” in China next year:

    The electric vehicle is reportedly going to be powered by BYD’s blade battery cells with LFP chemistry. LFP chemistry has improved enough in recent years that it is moving from mainly being used in electric buses to now electric cars. BYD’s blade battery has attracted a lot of attention – even from Tesla, according to reports coming out of China. A Toyota source talking to Reuters said that it is what is enabling the automaker to produce its first affordable all-electric car:

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  • UAZ Patriot SUV Collects US$ 3.8 Million in Pre-orders in USA

    Maxim Sakov
    Maxim Sakov

    The North-American premiere of the UAZ Patriot SUV took place recently at the Los Angeles international Autosalon. The exclusive importer of the vehicle is Bremach Inc., a California company.  The Russian car has its own name, Bremach 4×4. The name Taos, announced earlier, was rejected to avoid the conflict with Volkswagen, which has had a product with this name since 2020.

    The Patriot was introduced in two  versions–standard and off-road extreme. Both models are equipped with 2.7 gasoline engine ZMZ Pro of 149 hp and a six-gear automatic transmission Punch Powerglide 6L50, connected all-wheel drive. Standard version costs US$ 26,405 in USA.

    According to Bremach, in the first 24 hours after the introduction, they received deposits totaling US$ 3.8 million. How many cars were ordered, was not disclosed, but the minimum deposit is US$ 100.

    Read More »

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