NEW YORK — Manufacturers of Class 6-8 truck original equipment powertrain systems are expected to focus increasingly on redesigning their products to help truck owners meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

Since engines, cooling systems, turbochargers, and exhaust systems will be getting a design makeover in order to meet the emission standards, it is imperative to modify powertrain systems as well, says a new analysis from worldwide consultants Frost & Sullivan.

According to a report from TruckingInfo.com, the North American Class 6-8 Truck OE Powertrain Systems Market report reveals that the market achieved revenues worth $8.20 billion in 2004 and is projected to reach $12.34 billion in 2011.

“The North American Class 6-8 truck OE powertrain systems market has never witnessed the high degree of technology upgrades and innovations across all constituent products in its history, as it is doing now,” says Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Sandeep Kar. “The technologically advanced EPA-compliant engines not only require advanced turbochargers to maintain requisite power under all operating conditions, but also need advanced cooling systems to dissipate greater amount of heat aiding faster heat transfer to sustain complete combustion respectively.

“Parallel to the developments in engine-related technologies, the level of innovations in the transmission and clutch products is also high as new and advanced clutches and transmissions such as automated and automatic transmission systems are being developed and introduced in the market,” he continued.

There is also a need to introduce advanced aftertreatment catalysts that can stimulate reactions involving nitrogen oxide (Nox), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), and particulate matter (PM) to obtain emissions that are environmentally safe.

Scientists are developing engines that operate on low- sulfur fuels, deliver greater power with the help of advanced turbochargers, interface with superior cooling systems, and are linked to exhaust aftertreatment systems to noticeably reduce emissions in trucks.

With the gross domestic product (GDP) and international trade steadily increasing, there is a consequent rise in demand for Class 6-8 trucks, which, in turn, drives the OE powertrain systems and components market, according to Kar.

Nevertheless, the market will have to find a solution to sidestep the cyclical factors that may adversely affect and influence truck production — such as an increase in truck prices — which is expected to occur as the 2007 model year trucks are introduced.

This price hike has led to pre-buying, which can decrease demand for new trucks, hence powertrain systems. Moreover, the annual maintenance costs of EPA-compliant trucks will be amplified due to the reduced fuel economy of EPA-compliant engines.

The powertrain companies that are most likely to succeed in this scenario are the ones that can rapidly develop and introduce systems that not only help trucks achieve EPA 2007 and 2010 compliance, but also reduce the maintenance efforts and lifecycle costs enhancing truck uptime.

“Advanced powertrain systems that augment the value proposition of heavy trucks through reduction in lifecycle and ownership costs will find greater uptake among truck makers and buyers alike,” observes Kar.

The developments in each powertrain system technology has not only enhanced the value of powertrain systems in terms of performance delivery but has also aided in lengthening the life of modern trucks.

“The value enhancement of trucks has facilitated the price hikes in most powertrain systems and this trend is expected to continue as the introduction of advanced powertrain technologies gains momentum,” notes Kar. “This can partially compensate the loss of unit shipments during 2007-2011 and insulate suppliers from incidental and cyclical downswings in new truck build rates.”

North American Class 6-8 Truck OE Powertrain Systems Market is part of the North American Advanced Automotive Technologies subscription. It covers engines, turbochargers, cooling systems, clutches, transmissions, and aftertreatment systems. It provides a comprehensive discussion of industry challenges as well as market drivers and restraints.

A virtual brochure, providing manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the North American Class 6-8 Truck OE Powertrain Systems Market, is available by e-mailing Tolu Babalola, Corporate Communications, at tolu.babalola@frost.com. Include your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, city, state and county.

— from TruckingInfo.com