KGP’s 7th Briefing Paper examines some of the headlines from KGP’s updated Commercial Vehicle Engine Forecast Summary report.
Looking forward, 2018 is likely to be an interesting year as China, India and Brazil move towards finalising Euro VI equivalent legislation, and the EU is expected to propose CO2 reduction targets for CVs. We also expect a flurry of activitiy in alternative fuel development as OEMs seem to have finally shaken off the R&D restrictions from the financial crisis, and legislators at country and local government level take a more stringent view on air quality issues. With oil prices moving upwards again, up 50% in the past six months, fleets and operators are going to be taking another look at fuel consumption.
A relatively quiet 2017 in the Commercial Vehicle segment saw global market growth on the back of China’s rebound. As a results most global OEMs saw improvements in financial results during 2017. However the hot topics of Emissions Legislation, Air Quality, CO2 remain dominant, driving investment in product development and capital expenditure.
Most major commercial vehicle OEMs are investing in alternative fuelled powertrains. Infrastructure for certain fuels, such as natural gas and hybrid-electric are growing quickly to support demand. Global vehicles powered by alternative fuels reached around 200,000 units at the end of 2017.
As a result of the renewed interest in alternative fuels, hybridisation and electrification, there has been an increase in M&A activity. Mahle Powertrain acquired Westport Fuel Systems’ Michigan Tech Centre for $12 million. Engine manufacturers Cummins and Deutz have both acquired companies specialised in electrification with battery company Brammo and marine electrification company Torqeedo, respectively. BorgWarner finished its acquisition of Sevcon, a growing company specialist in CV and industrial electrification technologies with estimated sales of the acquired company to be $60m in 2017. Many joint ventures are occurring with one of interest being the agreement between new start up Nikola Motor and Bosch, this JV increases Bosch’s activity in the CV market who will help develop hydrogen-electric powertrains. Most recently Federal-Mogul acquired Controlled Power Technologies, a developer of advanced systems for future vehicles. In the lighter commercial vehicle segments, Groupe Renault has acquired Power Vehicle Innovation who focus on converting commercial vehicles to natural gas or electric power.
Aside from the powertrain, we see development of autonomous vehicle technologies and adoption of digitisation strategies influencing vehicle design and supply chain activity over the next decade. For example Wabco has acquired R.H. Sheppard for $145m, a leading player in steering technologies for the CV market which was completed in September 2017. Leading suppliers will continue consolidation of the supply chain, and integration of other technologies, but these might not always end in success
There has been a very clear shift in societal pressures on the CV segment over the past 12-24 months. Noxious emissions limits remains a key driver for society, whilst productivity and fuel cost is key for OEMs and their customers, the operators. However we see a convergence of other drivers forcing new product and new technology development, including autonomy and digitalisation that we will be addressing in the light of powertrain technologies in future reports. An overview of the key drivers is given below, all of which are being considered in our market and technology forecasts.
During the third quarter truck sales usually falls in comparison to the previous quarter and regains momentum in quarter four. However, this year the truck market has boomed with quarter three sales continuing to grow on the second quarter and full year sales for medium and heavy-duty trucks forecasted to rise 20% on 2016, reaching record levels. This year will mark the first in ten years where there has been a collective growth in truck demand from all regions. China produces just under half of the global volume for commercial vehicles, hence, the global market is primarily driven by this one country. Therefore, the increased demand for trucks can be directly related to the Chinese truck market. Other reasons have also benefited the truck market with improvements in global economic conditions resulting in increases in industrial production driving truck demand. Other regional improvements have also added to the expansion of the truck market with Russia, Turkey and Brazil recovering along with increasing demand for trucks in North America and robust strong sales in Europe. Global truck volumes are expected to fall in 2018 due to the anticipated market correction in China resulting in sharp decline for truck demand. All other regions are forecasted to rise in 2018, but overall global truck sales, on a quarterly comparison to the previous year, will turn negative by the third quarter of 2018.
Figure 1 CV Sales Outlook by Region
Unlike the global truck market, bus sales fell in the third quarter due to declining bus demand in the UK and India which offset growth in other parts of Western Europe, Argentina, Japan and Korea whilst Brazil and Turkey bus markets are still recovering. Although sales are expected to improve in quarter four, full year sales will be down around 4.5% on 2016’s strong level. Global bus sales are forecast to bounce back in 2018 exceeding 2016’s level to over 385,000 units. Full year bus sales are expected to be 11.8% lower than 2016’s level.
Global Commercial Vehicle production is expected to grow 11.4% this year to equal 3.6 million units following on from a strong year in 2016. Production will see a moderate fall by 2019 as the market corrects in China in the second half of 2018 but will continue on a new growth trend from 2020 onwards. China is the largest producer, producing 3 times the amount of India, which is the second largest with just over 400 thousand units. In the engine segment:
Figure 2 CV Production (000s of Units) by Region 2014-2024
KGP will be attending various industry events in Spring 2018. Contact us to arrange a free consultation on Single Client, Multi-Client and Special Reports at any of the following:
We can also prepare a client specific webinar to introduce our services and provide an industry overview.
KGP’s new Commercial and Non-Road Electric and Hybrid Services launch February 1st. More detail will be posted on our website.
KGP’s free briefings are published twice per month covering Commercial Vehicle and Non-Road Mobile Machinery topics. Forthcoming briefings will include:
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| Briefing | Batteries | Supply Chain for Electrification | M&A and JV | NOx Emissions |
| Week commencing | 05/02 | 19/02 | 05/03 | 19/03 |
Knibb Gormezano and Partners Q4 2017 CV Engine Market Summary Report:- Click Here
LMC Global Commercial Vehicle Forecast Click Here
Download the full briefing here: Briefing Paper No 7 CV Briefing 24 01 18
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