PowerTALK News

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

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

Global Truck Production Drops in Q3 2018

Global truck production dropped in Q3 2018, according to the Power Systems Research(PSR) Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI).

You’ll find the details in the November issue of PowerTALK, the monthly world news and analysis report from PSR. You’ll find lots of other news as well, including detailed reports from the show floors of EICMA (the international motorcycle show in Milan) and GIE+Expo, the lawn and garden show held in Louisville, KY.

Top Stories

• US Snowblower Production
• Global Truck Production
• Batteries Power GIE+Expo
• Positive Signs in Brazil
• Electrics Popular at EICMA
• China Launches CN-6
• Isuzu Autonomous Partnership
• Korea Invests Abroad
• TATA Posts Sales Increase
• Ford Russia JV Supplies Europe

Electrification: What’s The Future for Off-Highway?

Construction equipment OEMs are evaluating various electrification options, including hybrid configurations where electric auxiliary drives are being adapted to replace traditional mechanical systems, including hydraulics, in some cases. But relatively few pure battery-electric machine designs have appeared, at this point, writes Dennis Huibregtse, CEO of Power Systems Research.

Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK:

• Data Point: NA Combines: 7600
• Electrification Goes Off-Road
• NA Economic Forecast
• Automated Mining Trucks
• Weichai Shows 6b Diesel
• VW Group Performs
• Piaggio Banks on Alternative Fuels
• Russia Plans China JV

What Is the Real Cost of Diesel?

Dennis Huibregtse, CEO of Power Systems Research, examines the trade-offs faced by fleet managers as they consider switching from diesel to alternative fuels.

As fleets evaluate powertrain alternatives in their search for potential
operating cost reductions and improvements in efficiency, it quickly becomes apparent that not all attributes of the current range of alternatives are perceived favorably or equally.

Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK

• A Grader Production
• Effect of Trade Wars?
• Report: Cannes Yachting Show
• Mercedes Expands Exports from Brazil
• Major Consolidation at Weichai Power, CNHTC
• Impact of Axle Norms on Trucks in India
• Mahindra Pickup To Be Assembled in Russia

Strong Economy Indicates Another Year of Solid Growth

Second of Two Parts
SUMMARY. During Q2 2018, the economy remained stable and economic conditions in the region still are favorable, most industries are doing well, and the short-term outlook remains positive to flat for most market segments. We expect such strong conditions to last at least another 12 months. At the same time, there will be some minor differences among
market segments, especially those that are consumer oriented.

Top stories in this issue of PowerTALK

• NA Tiller Growth
• Battery Show Notes
• NA Economy Forecast
• Brazil Eyes EV, New Trucks
• China Replaces Diesel Buses
• EU M/C Market Recovers
• EU Priority: Stimulate Investment
• Hydrogen Conversion Package
• Korea Cuts Auto Tax
• Harley Targets Asia
• India Promotes EVs
• Tractor Plant Takeover
• Moscow Oks Driverless Vehicles

PSR Experimental Vehicle Grabs Fifth Place in Shell’s
International Competition

The PSR-sponsored experimental vehicle designed, produced and raced by a team of high school students from suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, finished as the top school from the US, and won fifth place overall, during international competition in London recently.

Also in this issue is a report on global truck production. The PSR Q2 2018 Truck Production Index climbed 12.4%.

Here are the Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK

• PSR-sponsored Experimental Vehicle
• Global Truck Production Climbs 12.4%
• Aerial Lift Production Is Flat
• Global Economies Are Solid
• Ford To Build in Brazil
• China Plans Diesel NS 6
• Can Deutz Continue Pace?
• Europe Getting Better & Better
• Connected Trucks Get Boost in Japan