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PowerTALK™, July 2026
Sign-up for PowerTALKIn the July 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about the Q2 2026 Truck Production Report, a new battery that could make larger aircraft possible, expanding Chinese vehicle imports to Brazil, South Korea government’s action on AI investments, and more.
IN THIS ISSUE
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- New Battery Could Lead To Big Leaps in Performance
- Air Battery Makes Larger Electric Aircraft Possible
- Batteries Can Reshape Shipping Fuels
- Fossil Fuels Are 40% of Freight Shipping Tonnage
- Paving the Way for Lithium-Nitrogen Batteries
TRUCK PRODUCTION REPORT: Q2 2026 PSR Truck Production Index Climbs 11.3%
DATAPOINT REPORT: 2026 North American Hydroseeder ProductionSOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Bus Chassis Production Shows Gains Despite Likely Downturn
- Chinese Vehicle Imports Reduce Brazil Exports to Argentina
- Scania Brazil Plant Prepared for Electric Truck Production
- Sany Announces Production Plant in Campinas, Brazil
JAPAN REPORT: IHI Tests Ammonia-Fueled Land-based Engine
SOUTH KOREA REPORT: Government Links Semiconductor, AI Investments
THAILAND REPORT: MHEV Production Investment Approved
CHINA REPORT: XCMG Group, ZF Establish Joint Venture for Ag Macinery
INDIA REPORT: India-UK CETA: A Strategic Opportunity for Auto Industry
PSR REPORT: PSR Provides $2,000 STEM Scholarship -
Q2 2026 Truck Production Index Climbs 11.3%
Sign-up for TPI ReportsSt. Paul, MN — The Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 115 to 128, or 11.3%, for the three-month period ending June 30, 2026, from Q1 2026. The year-over-year (Q2 2025 to Q2 2026) gain for the PSR-TPI was, 127 to 128, or 0.8%.
Jim Downey The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan & Korea and Emerging Markets.
This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research.
All Regions. MHCV demand will vary by region in 2026. North America and Europe have seen orders increase through much of the first half of the year and vehicle demand is expected to improve somewhat over last year. China is expected to see a single digit decline in production much of the decline comes on the heels of very high levels of production in 2025.
Global Index. Overall, global production is expected to decline slightly in 2026 over last year. Ongoing tariffs along with the conflict in the Middle East and the shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz are currently putting pressure on truck demand. However, at the time of this writing fuel prices have been declining as more vessels are able to pass through the Strait.
Chris Fisher North America. Medium and heavy truck production in North America is expected to increase by 9.5% this year compared with low 2025 production. While class 8 truck production is expected to increase by 13.5% this year as order rates for class 8 trucks have improved strongly throughout much of the year. Improvement in freight rates and freight demand along with tightening truck capacity and some level of truck pre-buy ahead of the 2027 GHG emission regulations is expected to drive increased truck production this year. While truck sales have been down for much of this year, production levels are expected to be strong in the second half of the year. Oil prices have been recently declining which will also help drive truck demand in the third and fourth quarters of 2026.
The next update of the Power Systems Research TPI will be in October 2026 and will reflect changes in the TPI during Q3 2026. PSR
Jim Downey is Vice President-Global Data Products at Power Systems Research
Chris Fisher is the Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research -
PowerTALK™, April 2026
In the April 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about reports from CONEXPO 2026, Alternative Power News, and DataPoint, plus reports on Iran and Tariffs, BYD Developments, and more.
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- A “Failed Experiment”? Biofuels Under Spotlight
- US Battery Recycler Lands $1.1B Metals Refining Deal
- When Fossil Fuel Supplies Falter, Interest In Renewables Increases
- Oil Crisis Makes Drivers Reconsider Electric
DATAPOINT: 2026 Aerator Production
GLOBAL REPORT: 2026 Global MHCV Production Gains Seen
EUROPE REPORT:- Volvo Moves into Big Electric Equipment
- KTM Completes Strategic Realignment and Leap into Premium EVs
SOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Import Tax Decision on Buses Is Reversed
- Indian Preet Enters Brazil With Tractor Manufacturing Plant
- Selic Interest Rate Cut Has Limited Impact in Auto Market
- VWCO Tests B100 Soybean Biodiesel in Engines
- GAC Plans Vehicle Production in Brazil
JAPAN REPORT: Yanmar To Build Plant for Marine Hydrogen EnginesSOUTH KOREA REPORT: HD Construction Sets Electric Safety Training SystemPHILIPINES REPORT:…
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Jack Prince Joins Power Systems Research
Jack Prince Jack Prince has joined Power Systems Research as a business development manager. He’ll be working out of the Ann Arbor, MI, office. Jack brings over 25 years of business development and commercialization experience to the global automotive and mobility industries. He uses research and data to help clients identify market opportunities and improve business efficiency while enhancing product performance.
Jack has advised emerging ventures on market discovery, product strategy, and investor…
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Our high school Experimental Vehicle Team can compete at the highest levels of engineering because of three
things: dedication, talent and teamwork. They proved this in April of 2025 and are already back at work to make
the 2026 vehicles even more remarkable.It was our third year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Shell Eco-Marathon in April of 2025. Met with rain,cold and wind, the team had to make on the spot corrections and decisions to waterproof the vehicles so theycould safely and successfully…
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Interest Rates Hurt Brazil Heavy Truck Production
Fabio Ferraresi Heavy truck production in Brazil fell 3.7% in Q1 2025 versus the same period in 2024, totaling 16,700 units, according to Anfavea. The decline is attributed to high interest rates (Selic), which have limited fleet renewal despite a record grain harvest.
Heavy truck sales also dropped 7% in the quarter, with 13,000 units registered.
OEM Performance – Heavy Trucks: Volvo: 3,900 units sold (+4% YoY); Scania: 3,500 units (−17%), and Mercedes-Benz: 2,100 units (−13.5%)
Despite the contraction in the heavy segment, total truck production grew 8.2%, reaching 31,700 units. The Medium-duty truck segment production was 8,900 units (+28.5%) and the Light-duty truck production was 4,500 units (+10%)
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Hyundai Motor Plans To Invest $21 Billion in US
Last month, South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group announced that it will invest $21 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. In addition to investing $6 billion to build a steel mill in Louisiana, the company will increase its U.S. auto production capacity by 70% to 1.2 million vehicles per year at a cost of $9 billion
The $21 billion investment in the U.S. will be the largest ever made by the Hyundai Motor Group. The investment will be made between 2025 and 2028 and will cover a wide range of fields, including automobiles, steel, parts and energy.
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