Increased Exports Keeps Freight Afloat
Though economic growth is projected to slow overall for Japan, Europe, and particularly the U.S. through 2009, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), exports from the U.S. are predicted to increase significantly - possibly leading to rising freight volumes in the year ahead.
Body Shops Forced into Distasteful Practices
In an AutoBodyOnline commentary, Dennis Liphardt offers his view of new programs being offered by auto insurance companies to attract customers and streamline their operations. Many of these programs are bypassing traditional body shops. To compete, body shops are forced to offer rebates and discounts, practices Mr. Liphardt finds distasteful.
Freight Volume Increases, Trucking Rates Recovering
High fuel prices and the downturn in the economy have resulted in bankruptcies that decreased truckload capacity by 42,000 trucks. Modest freight demand increases in April-May are now making it possible for larger carriers to pass along fuel surcharges to customers and return to profitability.
Fleet Managers Express Feelings About Management
With anonymity guaranteed, fleet managers were asked if and why management doesn't respect the fleet-management function. Answers confirmed that fleet managers don't get their deserved respect and that management doesn't understand their job. The main problem is that management only looks at the bottom line.
GM Vows to Hold Rental Fleet Sales Stable
Fleets depend on predictable residual values in selecting vehicles to buy or lease. Excessive rental sales by a manufacturer flood the market with late model vehicles and devalue them so they must resist the temptation to sell unrestricted numbers even during slumps.
