Auto shipping service firms in the United States of America looking for another way to improve the fuel economy of their car hauling vehicles will want to check out the latest news from Pressure Systems International. Pressure Systems International announced recently that they had added new green Thru-T and green striped delivery hoses to its Meritor Tire Inflation Systems, in order to provide customers with the environmental benefits of Thru-T and green striped delivery hoses. The Meritor Tire Inflation System can apparently improve fuel economy by up to 1.8 percent, according to Pressure Systems International, and a US government study conducted by Standards Testing Laboratory in Massillon, Ohio, by helping to keep the tires properly inflated at all times, which has been shown to have environmental and cost benefits for car transporters.
A 1.8 percent increase in fuel economy might seem like a small increase in fuel savings, but over hundreds of thousands of miles on the roads of America, this small increase in fuel economy will show its benefits for car movers, and there are other benefits of keeping your tires properly inflated at all times as well. Pressure Systems International says the Meritor Tire Inflation System will prevent rubber alligators on the road, leaving reusable casing on the tires for better retreading down the road. In addition to reducing roadside service calls, increasing the life expectancy of the tire and ultimately avoiding costly delays in car transport.
Standards Testing Laboratory's study apparently also indicated that tire rolling resistance increases on average by 12 percent when a truck tires air pressure was run as low as 70 psi and that under inflated truck tires that are used for any period of time will start to show the diminished efficiency associated with under inflated tires and the negative impact on fuel efficiency and life expectancy.
Making sure truck tires are inflated to the proper pressure apparently has important benefits for professionals in the business of shipping cars on the roads of the United States. Any improvement in fuel economy is going to help and it might be prudent to check out the possible fuel economy savings that could be provided by just making sure truck tires as properly inflated at all times.
Showing posts with label shipping cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shipping cars. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Holy Rollers, GM Test-Drives Cars at Detroit Church
The auto showroom is the place most people see new cars up close and personal, but GM is taking a unique approach to moving cars to where the potential customers are. The eye-catching headline out of the Detroit News was of a “ride-and-drive” mobile GM showroom that was set up outside a Baptist church in Detroit on Sunday with the pastor’s blessing, aiming to expose people to GM cars that might not make their way into a conventional showroom. Less theologically-questionable ride-and-drives have been done in California outside of coffee-houses and Korean restaurants, as GM experiments with alternative marketing methods.
Alternative marketing might become more of an issue as GM dealers close up shop; GM is looking at online marketing tools and other non-traditional ways of marketing cars. One alternative that is rather old-school comes from Japan, where cars are sold door-to-door much as life insurance or cosmetics are sold in the US. Busy people might not want to spend time going to a car dealership, but if the cars are at church or at their favorite watering hole, they might stop by to take a look.
This brings some possible extra work for car haulers; unless the cars are individually driven out to the locations, there might be work opportunity for car carriers to get the cars out to the remote locations. Unloading the hauler could be problematic in some settings, but it could also be a conversation piece that would draw attention to the event-“What the *$&#* is that car hauler doing in front of the church?”
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100418/AU...f-new-customers
Alternative marketing might become more of an issue as GM dealers close up shop; GM is looking at online marketing tools and other non-traditional ways of marketing cars. One alternative that is rather old-school comes from Japan, where cars are sold door-to-door much as life insurance or cosmetics are sold in the US. Busy people might not want to spend time going to a car dealership, but if the cars are at church or at their favorite watering hole, they might stop by to take a look.
This brings some possible extra work for car haulers; unless the cars are individually driven out to the locations, there might be work opportunity for car carriers to get the cars out to the remote locations. Unloading the hauler could be problematic in some settings, but it could also be a conversation piece that would draw attention to the event-“What the *$&#* is that car hauler doing in front of the church?”
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100418/AU...f-new-customers
New Asia-Europe Service Shelved, New Asia-Europe service on hold?
Plans of one overseas shipping company to begin a new Asia-Europe service have apparently been either put on hold or shelved for good. A few days ago the overseas shipping company involved in this affair, the Containership Company (TCC), had announced company plans to begin providing shipping services for customers in the Asia-Europe market, but more recently the firm has decided that the time isn’t right for this move and they would put the start of their second service on hold for now. The Containership Company has stated that it still has designs on business in the Asia-Europe market and this still isn’t out of the question. Apparently, the company is still in talks to charter more vessels for their plans for their Asia-Europe service, so the company could be just preparing better for the implementation of the second service. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in the future, to see if their plans continue to go forward though, and it’s always possible that they could drop these plans altogether.
This news probably isn’t that surprising to many watching the current situation in the shipping industry of the world, but it does kind of make you wonder what’s happening over at the Containership Company over the past few months. The firm does appear to be a little hesitant in many regards and backtracking is going to look a little suspicious to some customers that might have been looking forward the new service that the company had announced.
The timing of adding new shipping services is obviously very important to an overseas shipping company and they certainly want to be as sure of the demand for services as they can be, before beginning their plans. It could be that in a little while, the Containership Company will once again announce the start of the Asia-Europe service they originally announced, only it will be delayed a little, that’s all.
http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/ind...20017768082.htm
This news probably isn’t that surprising to many watching the current situation in the shipping industry of the world, but it does kind of make you wonder what’s happening over at the Containership Company over the past few months. The firm does appear to be a little hesitant in many regards and backtracking is going to look a little suspicious to some customers that might have been looking forward the new service that the company had announced.
The timing of adding new shipping services is obviously very important to an overseas shipping company and they certainly want to be as sure of the demand for services as they can be, before beginning their plans. It could be that in a little while, the Containership Company will once again announce the start of the Asia-Europe service they originally announced, only it will be delayed a little, that’s all.
http://www.ifw-net.com/freightpubs/ifw/ind...20017768082.htm
Thursday, March 25, 2010
IAA Has Web Site in Mandarin, Chinese Might Offset Allstate Loss, car haulers, cars move, car carriers
Here’s an interesting note on the international nature of the used car market; we’re now seeing a major used car auctioneer having its web-site done with a Chinese option. Since 30% of Insurance Auto Auctions’ cars move overseas already, having Chinese as an option opens things up to over a billion customers, including Singapore, Taiwan and a large minority in Malaysia. There must be a voice aspect to the web site, since it mentioned that it is Mandarin Chinese; the dialects of Chinese are written the same but pronounced differently.
Interestingly, the IAA site has Polish and Russian options. Poland is a major market for used cars from elsewhere, as was Russia before they slapped on tariffs on imported cars last year. The new Chinese page might be a way of offsetting the loss of the Russian market. Japanese isn’t one of their languages, since the Japanese are generally net exporters of used cars; the Russians, especially those on the Siberian Pacific coast, were big markets for second-hand Japanese cars.
This will mean that car haulers will be pointing west more often coming out of IAA auctions; this will give the car carriers bringing imports in from Asia vehicles to take back with them. It might not be enough to fill up things, but a partial load beats no loads at all for shippers.
Since IAA just lost the account to sell Allstate’s salvage cars, they’re likely looking to increase demand in order to get some of that lost market share back, and catering to the Chinese diaspora as well as folks in China proper is one way to do so.
Source: http://www.auto-mobi.info/index.php?option...16991&Itemid=50
Interestingly, the IAA site has Polish and Russian options. Poland is a major market for used cars from elsewhere, as was Russia before they slapped on tariffs on imported cars last year. The new Chinese page might be a way of offsetting the loss of the Russian market. Japanese isn’t one of their languages, since the Japanese are generally net exporters of used cars; the Russians, especially those on the Siberian Pacific coast, were big markets for second-hand Japanese cars.
This will mean that car haulers will be pointing west more often coming out of IAA auctions; this will give the car carriers bringing imports in from Asia vehicles to take back with them. It might not be enough to fill up things, but a partial load beats no loads at all for shippers.
Since IAA just lost the account to sell Allstate’s salvage cars, they’re likely looking to increase demand in order to get some of that lost market share back, and catering to the Chinese diaspora as well as folks in China proper is one way to do so.
Source: http://www.auto-mobi.info/index.php?option...16991&Itemid=50
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Handling Damages When Shipping Cars, shipping cars, transportation company
Car shipping is almost always a simple and reliable affair. Your car is picked up on time for a reasonable price and it is delivered when it was promised and in the same condition in which it left your care. But how do you handle those rare instances when your car shows up at its destination with a scratch on the paint or a tear in the upholstery…or even missing an expensive rim?
First of all, whenever your car is picked up by a car shipping representative, make sure you complete an original inspection report. This will make note of pickup and delivery instructions, the mileage of the vehicle and the condition of it. Go over the car carefully with the car shipping representative, making note of any paint or body damage, the condition of the mirrors and all the windows, and the condition of the interior. Detailing the condition of your car protects you as well as the transportation company.
Then, when the vehicle is delivered to its ultimate destination, use that inspection report to go over the vehicle again. Take your time in going over your car, making note of any new damage on the inspection report. Point out any damage to the driver who delivered your vehicle and then have him sign the inspection report. This will generally be your only recourse in being reimbursed for repairs of damage that occurred while your vehicle was in the care of the transportation company. Finally, contact the transportation company to discuss the situation. Any reliable company will work with you to make sure your vehicle is repaired in a manner that is acceptable to both of you.
Source:
http://www.autotransportreviews.com/tips.php
First of all, whenever your car is picked up by a car shipping representative, make sure you complete an original inspection report. This will make note of pickup and delivery instructions, the mileage of the vehicle and the condition of it. Go over the car carefully with the car shipping representative, making note of any paint or body damage, the condition of the mirrors and all the windows, and the condition of the interior. Detailing the condition of your car protects you as well as the transportation company.
Then, when the vehicle is delivered to its ultimate destination, use that inspection report to go over the vehicle again. Take your time in going over your car, making note of any new damage on the inspection report. Point out any damage to the driver who delivered your vehicle and then have him sign the inspection report. This will generally be your only recourse in being reimbursed for repairs of damage that occurred while your vehicle was in the care of the transportation company. Finally, contact the transportation company to discuss the situation. Any reliable company will work with you to make sure your vehicle is repaired in a manner that is acceptable to both of you.
Source:
http://www.autotransportreviews.com/tips.php
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Shortage of RORO Facilites on West Coast, Ships are Plentiful, Parking Space Isn't, car shipping, shipping cars
An interesting aspect of the international car shipping industry is that there is a lack of available space on the West Coast of the US for roll-on-roll-off shipping. The larger ports like to major on container shipping and there is a shortage of space at those ports for RORO facilities. That might explain why Chrysler opted to use the secondary port of Grays Harbor, WA for exporting to the Pacific.
Mahindra, the newest member of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers; the US importers trade group, may have some problems offloading their new trucks and SUVs into the West Coast and may wind up looking at East Coast ports as an alternative. Charleston, who lost a BMW contract to Baltimore recently, might be a viable alternative for the new kid on the block to be shipping cars and trucks into.
Even if there is a shortage of places to store cars on-site at major ports, there isn’t a shortage of RORO vessels; a number of new ships will be added to the fleet in the next few years. Long-tern contracts that are the norm in the car-shipping business has shielded the ROROs from the lousy shipping market of 2008 and 2009; new contracts might not be as lucrative if there is an excess of ships available.
In the future, firms might also look at container-shipping cars rather than the traditional RORO approach. There is an increasing numbers of container autoracks that can go from train to ship, and if the lion-share of port space is becoming devoted to containerized shipping, the auto industry might want to join the container party.
Sources: http://www.joc.com/node/416467
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/02/03/i...association.htm
Mahindra, the newest member of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers; the US importers trade group, may have some problems offloading their new trucks and SUVs into the West Coast and may wind up looking at East Coast ports as an alternative. Charleston, who lost a BMW contract to Baltimore recently, might be a viable alternative for the new kid on the block to be shipping cars and trucks into.
Even if there is a shortage of places to store cars on-site at major ports, there isn’t a shortage of RORO vessels; a number of new ships will be added to the fleet in the next few years. Long-tern contracts that are the norm in the car-shipping business has shielded the ROROs from the lousy shipping market of 2008 and 2009; new contracts might not be as lucrative if there is an excess of ships available.
In the future, firms might also look at container-shipping cars rather than the traditional RORO approach. There is an increasing numbers of container autoracks that can go from train to ship, and if the lion-share of port space is becoming devoted to containerized shipping, the auto industry might want to join the container party.
Sources: http://www.joc.com/node/416467
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2010/02/03/i...association.htm
Friday, February 5, 2010
Volvo Trucks Field Tests Diesel-Methane Engine, Freight trucking revolution? vehicle carriers, auto transport, automobile carrier
If Volvo Trucks is successful with field tests of methane-diesel engines they have put into the transport trucks of a few Swedish road freight firms they do business with, you'll probably see trucks with the new engines on ocean-going automobile carriers sitting in North America ports in the future. The engines under test run on a combination of diesel oil and methane that according to Volvo Trucks has benefits over the traditional gas or diesel engines that includes using a lot less fuel than a normal gas powered engine and a decrease in expected costs that will be required to keep the trucks operating efficiently. The driver will also have the ability to run the truck on diesel, if a methane station isn't near by, which could be a consideration if we eventually do see vehicles with diesel-methane engines on ocean-going auto transport carriers sitting in American ports, considering the lack of infrastructure for distributing methane.
Currently Volvo Trucks has placed trucks with the new engines with seven firms, but an eighth truck is expected to be placed with a trucking firm shortly. They haven't announced any other planned placing of additonal trucks with Swedish trucking firms, but if the first trials go as good as expected, we can certainly expect to hear more about diesel-methane engines in Volvo trucks. In a few years we could be looking back on this time as the beginning of a revolution in the freight and trucking industry that will be thought of as an every day thing and seeing a vehicle carrier carrying a load of trucks with diesel-methane engines normal traveling down the highway.
http://earthblips.dailyradar.com/story/vol...esel-in-trucks/
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/i...esel-in-trucks/
Currently Volvo Trucks has placed trucks with the new engines with seven firms, but an eighth truck is expected to be placed with a trucking firm shortly. They haven't announced any other planned placing of additonal trucks with Swedish trucking firms, but if the first trials go as good as expected, we can certainly expect to hear more about diesel-methane engines in Volvo trucks. In a few years we could be looking back on this time as the beginning of a revolution in the freight and trucking industry that will be thought of as an every day thing and seeing a vehicle carrier carrying a load of trucks with diesel-methane engines normal traveling down the highway.
http://earthblips.dailyradar.com/story/vol...esel-in-trucks/
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/i...esel-in-trucks/
Friday, July 24, 2009
Importance of online transport reviews
Online reviews are free and are very important in selecting a auto transport company. If you are moving cities, switching jobs, or just going on vacation, online reviews of reliable auto transport companies can save you time and money. There are so many company’s out there offering car transportation services one should do their homework before booking with one company. The reviews are your opportunities to get an inside look at the service provided by all the different companies out there.
There are three main issues to look for when reading online reviews. First, look for reviews that talk about the auto shipping rates that the companies have offered. These rates can help you understand how your vehicle will be protected and the type of service that will be provided. Low rates can turn into problems with transit times, insurance coverage, and quality of service you could encounter. Higher rates can be seen as faster transit time, higher insurance coverage, and greater customer service. Second, when reading online look for information about problems other people have encountered with shipping cars. This can help you identify red flags when speaking with agent and help narrow down your options. Problems that other people have encountered can help you understand some of the issues that may come about when transporting cars. Third, online reviews are a great source of being able to see if this company is just a fly by type or one that’s here to stay. You want to make sure that the company you use is one with experience and one that you can rely on if you have any concerns.
There are three main issues to look for when reading online reviews. First, look for reviews that talk about the auto shipping rates that the companies have offered. These rates can help you understand how your vehicle will be protected and the type of service that will be provided. Low rates can turn into problems with transit times, insurance coverage, and quality of service you could encounter. Higher rates can be seen as faster transit time, higher insurance coverage, and greater customer service. Second, when reading online look for information about problems other people have encountered with shipping cars. This can help you identify red flags when speaking with agent and help narrow down your options. Problems that other people have encountered can help you understand some of the issues that may come about when transporting cars. Third, online reviews are a great source of being able to see if this company is just a fly by type or one that’s here to stay. You want to make sure that the company you use is one with experience and one that you can rely on if you have any concerns.
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