Auto Transport Industry News - Archives
December 2008
A look back at 2008 Auto Transport
News
A new year is upon us and for many in the
transportation business, it couldn't get here fast enough,
especially for many auto
transport companies.
It was an interesting and challenging year
for most businesses and
many americans. First we had record oil prices which effected
the transportation industry as a whole. From airlines
to shipping companies, to retail and auto transporters,
price of gas and diesel. Than there was and still is the
housing & mortgage crisis, the bank crisis which has
had quite an effect on the world and US economy.
We also had a historic event this year,
the first African
American President Elect. While the economy
for most Americans remains very challenging there is some
new hope, that this new administration will bring many
needed solutions to the US economy and the return of the
American Dream in 2009.
November 2008
A historic November is upon us. The upcoming
election is debated as one of the most important presidential
elections of all time. Unprecedented issues such as energy,
the economy, healthcare and taxes and of course the war
in Iraq have taken center stage in this election and all
thru out America. The transportation industry as well as
all other industries will be effected by the outcome of
this election.
Energy prices have tumbled, but rest assured
steps will be taken to make the industry more efficient
in the future under a new administration. Also with a new
administration will come a new Department
of Transportation Secretary.
October 2008
Gas prices exit stage left, enter
the economic crisis:
That's right, you read it right gas prices
are not in this months transporter
news. Taking the main stage is the financial
turmoil that first hit Wall
Street and has trickled down to main street,
effecting transportation companies including brokers and
trucking.
The consumers wallet has been hit hard
by the downturn in housing. That means no longer are the
days of buying that dream car on ebay or
at the dealership with a home equity loan. Plus the banking
credit freeze has effected car dealers & consumers
purchasing automobiles. The domino effect of this is less
cars being shipped.
The good news is although the first attempt
to unfreeze the credit crisis and give Wall Street a lift
has failed a second attempt has been made and passed through
the senate awaiting the house yeay or nay, which many experts
believed if passed will slowly help wall street and main
street.
September 2008
The story of this month seems to be the
decrease and decline of crude oil, which is always good
for the auto transport industry as well as the consumers.
Contrary to what many experts felt about gas prices and
crude oil as we reported in June's
transport news, commodities are on the slide.
Although there we are in peak hurricane season and a very
active one, "as long as the Gulfs oil resources
go unharmed gas & diesel
prices should see $3.00 a barrel again",
reports Hauling depot transportation experts.
August transportation needs were a bit
down from last year but the This falls demand seems to
be promising, even for an election year. Plus transporters
have become experts in running more efficient companies,
with gas prices and competition at a peak.
October 2008
Gas prices exit stage left, enter
the economic crisis:
That's right, you read it right gas prices
are not in this months transporter
news. Taking the main stage is the financial
turmoil that first hit Wall
Street and has trickled down to main street,
effecting transportation companies including brokers and
trucking.
The consumers wallet has been hit hard
by the downturn in housing. That means no longer are the
days of buying that dream car on ebay or
at the dealership with a home equity loan. Plus the banking
credit freeze has effected car dealers & consumers
purchasing automobiles. The domino effect of this is less
cars being shipped.
The good news is although the first attempt
to unfreeze the credit crisis and give Wall Street a lift
has failed a second attempt has been made and passed through
the senate awaiting the house yeay or nay, which many experts
believed if passed will slowly help wall street and main
street.
September 2008
The story of this month seems to be the
decrease and decline of crude oil, which is always good
for the auto transport industry as well as the consumers.
Contrary to what many experts felt about gas prices and
crude oil as we reported in June's
transport news, commodities are on the slide.
Although there we are in peak hurricane season and a very
active one, "as long as the Gulfs oil resources
go unharmed gas & diesel
prices should see $3.00 a barrel again",
reports Hauling depot transportation experts.
August transportation needs were a bit
down from last year but the This falls demand seems to
be promising, even for an election year. Plus transporters
have become experts in running more efficient companies,
with gas prices and competition at a peak.
August 2008
July was a busy month over at the US Department
of Transportation. The FMCSA is continuing its fight to
eliminate unethical moving companies in its efforts to
protect consumers. Recently the Carrier safety administration
is investigating nearly 350 moving companies within the
US. For a list of these companies and more on this story
please visit the FMCSA
news release.
Assistant administrator Rose Mc Murray
alos spoke in front of the house committed on the state
of transportation and its infrastructure this month. One
of her main concerns addressed was the physical qualifications
for CDL drivers and increasing regulations.
July 2008
Taking center stage in the transport industry
for July is the the economy from the combined effects of
the housing
market and record oil highs, last month. It
has forced some transporters off the road and made it hard
for others making it hard to stay profitable. Many consumers
are feeling a sticker shock, when they see the price of
their auto
transport. Especially those who have transported
a car in the past and see vast differences in the costs.
The good news is as in all downturns in
the economy we are now looking for a bottom as some experts
think it may be in sight and oil prices could actually
retreat, making it easier to return to doing business profitably.
June 2008
It's June and moving season is upon us.
The federal government has created a helpful brochure explaining valuation
and insurance options for items you are transporting and
moving. Its helps explain if in the event of
damaged or lost items what the movers are responsible for
and how much the consumer would be compensated depending
on the insurance options.
In other news topping the transport industry,
is the high price of fuel (still). Is there any relief
for transporters? While some experts agree that oil has
reached its peak last week, at over $130 per barrel and
should descend from hear, other argue that the high
oil prices and even higher prices are here to stay.
May 2008
The effect of even higher gas prices on
transportation companies and consumers, is the major headlines
this month in transport news (once again). Many companies
are really feeling the effect of gas prices and the consumers
wallet. However in the car transport business it is a catch
22 always for the consumer. The cost to drive the vehicle
themselves is not too much better of an option. For instance,
to transport an 8 cylinder sedan 500 miles to transport
is an average of $550 dollars. To drive that same vehicle
yourself in fuel cost would be roughly 2.5 fill ups at
the pump and cost you over $240 dollars. Than factor in
the confidence of not driving or food and hotel costs (if
needed). Where transportation fuel spikes really take there
tool is the airline industry. Truckers & brokers can
pass of the increases in fuel to the consumers which is
less felt on an 9, 10 car carrier.
April 2008
The economy and the cost of diesel take
the headlines this month. Economists no longer question
whether or not we are in a recession anymore, but just
how long it will last. The cost of fuel always has questionable
effects to the industry. While it drives up the price of
transport and carrier costs, it should equal out as those
are passed to the consumer. Also theory is less people
are apt to drive the car themselves if gas prices cost
are too high. It may make more sense to hire a professional
auto shipping company.
For those auto carriers interested there
is a webinar being offered by transport topics online about optimizing
your fleets fuel savings on April 10th at 1:30
PM EDT.
March 2008
The auto transportation industry gears
up for the busiest time of year as consumers wind up for
there summer plans. Some transporters are forecasting this
years busy season to be a bit slower than recent years
as fears of a recession, or a downturn in in the economy,
which may effect consumer decisions.
Adding to the news, the cost of fuel is
higher again, which also clamps down on companies as well
as the US consumer. Its been all quiet at the FMCSA and
since the cross
border approved motor carriers project, new
no other significant news to report.
February 2008
The biggest news for the industry is the
economy and its effects on the industry - mostly in the
form of you guessed it high fuel prices. Reports estimate
that transporters are paying an average of .50 cents per
gallon for fuel compared to last year. Also talks of whether
the country is in a recession or not, predicts a lower
consumer spending in at least the first 3 quarters of 08.
Other industry news this month are with
a new year comes the 2008 auto shows, which are always
a nice boost for auto transport brokers & carriers
bottom line as car collectors and auto manufacturers scurry
to get their automobiles to auctions and the 08 car shows.
January 2008
Happy 2008 to The Transport Industry!
The FMCSA has voted on an interim final
rule regarding hours of service for commercial motor vehicle
transporters. The decision allows up to 11 hours of driving
time and a 14 hour window with at least 10 hours of rest/
non driving time. This ruling is in effect from 12/27/07.
In other transport
industry news crude oil hits $100 dollars
a barrel and diesel gains to $3.46 per gallon which
is an increase of almost 4 cents. Overseas news and
demand as cold fronts hit the United States played
a factor.
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