PowerTALK News

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

Purchasing “Outside-the-Box” by Polaris

Polaris Industries, the $5.4 billion maker of snowmobiles, off-road vehicles and motorcycles, says it has agreed to acquire Boat Holdings, a boat manufacturer owned by the Vogel family, management and Balmoral Funds, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $805 million.

Autonomous Vehicles Long Way Off

Readers of PowerTALK aren’t looking for autonomous vehicles to hit the roads soon, if our survey published last month is any indication.

In the April issue of PowerTALK, we asked readers, “When do you think a fully autonomous vehicle will be available in the market place?” Only 22.22% of respondents said it would happen within five years. More, 33.33%, said it would happen in the period of six to 10 years.

Other Top Stories in this issue of PowerTALK include

• Don’t look for autonomous vehicles soon
• NA power boat demand grows
• Brazil Agrishow 2018 Report
• JCB reduces backhoe production
• Royal Enfield eyes global markets
• Nissan to drop diesels in Europe
• Russian car sales climb 18%

Global Truck Production Declines 6.1%

The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) decreased from 114 to 107, or 6.1%, for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, from Q4 2017. The year-over-year (Q1 2017 to Q1 2018) loss for the PSR-TPI was one point (108 to 107), or .93%.

The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan &

Here are several other Top Stories in this issue:

• Global Economies Power Ahead
• Truck Production Index (TPI) Declines
• DataPoint: 2018 TLB Production
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Primer
• Florida Law Boosts Gen-Set Sales
• European Business Climate Improves
• Korea GM Faces Bankruptcy
• US-China Trade War Heats Up
• China Welcomes Tesla
• Russia Truck Market Grows

Severe Weather, Economy Boost Q4 2017 Gen-Set Sales

In this issue of PowerTALK, you’ll find PowerTRACKER North American gen-set survey report as well as news and analysis about these Top Stories:

• PSR Marine Database Expanded
• Data Point: A new feature
• 2018 Moscow Boat Show Report
• India Shifts EV Program
• Hyundai May Build Engine Plant in Russia
• Ford Delivers First Bi-fuel Focus Cars in Russia
• Some Thoughts as China Drops Term Limits.
• VW Picks China’s CATL as Battery Source