Archive for the ‘Trucks’ Category
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 |
Ford trucks has announced plans to transform its North American manufacturing and vehicle line-up to be smaller and greener.
Starting in December this year, Ford is planning to convert three of its truck and SUV plants into small car production facilities. By 2011, two of the company’s assembly plants will also be converted to small cars.
“While we have no intention of giving up our longtime truck leadership, we are creating a new Ford in North America on a foundation of small, fuel-efficient cars,” says Mark Fields, president of Ford in America.
The plant conversions will support Ford’s strategy to introduce six of its successful European small cars into the North American market. This will include the Ford Fiesta, which has just launched an ECOnetic model in the UK.
The ECOnetic version of the Fiesta claims to do 76.3 mpg with CO2 emissions of 98 g/km – exempting it from UK road tax. The savings come courtesy of a stripped down version of the model – lowered suspension, low resistance tyres and low friction oil.
Ford is also expanding production of its fuel-efficient EcoBoost V-6 and four-cylinder engines, as well as its hybrid vehicles. Production of two new hybrid models – the 2010 Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan – is scheduled to begin in December.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Thursday, July 31st, 2008 |
Trucks usually fall under the category of commercial vehicles and with the increase in their sophistication; it is no surprise that their costs are as big as their size. This is one of the primary reasons why people generally go for used trucks as these cost not only much less than their new versions but are also very durable and can be put to the same use. Paying for the truck requires the user to do a lot of research on his needs and his affordability. Some factors which increase the price of the truck are:
• Size: Larger the size, larger the price.
• Type of loading: A truck which is self loading costs more than the one where the loading is manual.
• Multi axle trucks are more expensive
• The age of the truck also determines the price as new truck, the more expensive it is.
• Trucks that fulfill heavy towing needs are costlier. Hence do not buy this kind of a truck if your towing needs are not heavy. You would be wasting money then.
Make a checklist of the following things before you buy a used truck.
• The amount of time that the truck has been used.
• Distance travelled by the truck.
• Insurance and its date of expiry if it is still valid.
• Take the vehicle on a test drive on different types of terrains to see how it reacts to different road conditions.
• Ask a trusted mechanic to inspect the vehicle thoroughly and come up with the list of faults the life of the engine and other important parts.
• Look at your available finances and see if your purchase meets your needs and at the same time is not too heavy on you pocket.
I have been using goverment and police car auctions for more than 7 years. This is my business. I buy cars at a very low price and resell them later. At the website below you can read a review of the auction which provides me with great car delas every month.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Friday, July 25th, 2008 |
The majority of individuals who regularly use their pickup truck to cart heavy cargo typically prefer a hard truck bed cover. Such covers are typically fabricated from the highest quality aluminum and steel. Some such truck tops however, are manufactured using fiberglass. Both these materials are light in weight, causing assembly to be uncomplicated. Many hard truck bed covers install easily and can be readily removed when the need arises. Frequently, the support rails fasten adroitly into position without the need to drill any holes into the truck’s bed.
Most hard truck bed covers price out at a minimum of $500, although they’re well worth the money.
Hard truck bed covers prove themselves a valued asset for pickup owners everywhere. Just the act of locking expensive cargo in the truck bed, protecting it from the worry of theft provides great peace of mind. Hard tops are constructed to hold up to the harshest travel and atmospheric conditions conceivable, safely preserving and protecting any covered items. Available in innumerable colors, most retailers will gladly match the color of a truck bed cover to the truck’s color.
Hard truck bed covers are usually constructed from lightweight, yet durable, materials. A few are so lightweight that even a small child can hoist them. Such lightweight construction causes them to be easily installed and operated. Quite a few hard tops sport hinges allowing the cover to be opened upward, like a car trunk lid, and held in place using metal rods. This provides the user easy access to the entire truck bed. A number of cover models come outfitted with top-side doors, while still others can be folded into a stored position in a matter of seconds. Such folding models allow users to access the entire truck bed, from front to back, stowing the truck bed cover conveniently behind the truck cab’s rear window for future deployment.
Hard truck bed covers consitute a fashionable means by which truck owners can both protect their cargo while adding a touch of character to their vehicle. Also, these covers can be painted any color someone wants to provide decoration as well as security. Many custom pickup truck owners prefer a custom hard truck bed cover, stamping their very own signature style on their trucks.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 |
Most people automatically think they can’t afford the luxury vehicle that they really want, but, with a little research, they might be pleasantly surprised. Used luxury cars, trucks, and SUVs are often well-taken care of by their owners, and often have the added benefit of being road-tested and already “broken-in.” Often, a used luxury car is more preferable to a shopper than a brand new one.
Luxury autos are built to provide greater comfort, a smoother ride, and offer more amenities than other cars. And did you know that luxury automobiles are often equipped with more comprehensive safety features?
If you are a parent, you obviously know the importance of ensuring your child or children have a safe and reliable means of transportation. Most luxury vehicles you examine will more than likely have a high safety rating–feel free to compare ratings between luxury and non-luxury autos to verify this fact.
Luxury autos typically depreciate more quickly than non-luxury vehicles, and this can make the purchase of a used luxury vehicle all the more attractive. With a little diligence, you’ll likely be able to find the luxury vehicle you desire at an affordable price. Repairs and maintenance, however, are more costly for luxury vehicles. And you must also take into consideration the higher cost of insurance as well.
It is also important to make sure you have the time to give your used luxury car the care and attention it deserves. It is important that you always change your oil at the correct times and that the oil is of a premium variety. You will probably need to pay a bit more for gasoline as well, since most luxury cars are designed to run on premium gas. Proper care and maintenance is essential to ensuring you are able to enjoy all your luxury vehicle has to offer for years to come.
To find the one that is most reasonable for you or your family, you should research all the different types of luxury vehicles. Find a vehicle you can afford, if you know you will be required to spend extra in maintenance and repairs.
Once you have located a luxury auto that you are interested in purchasing, the first thing you should acquire is a report of the car’s history. Just because it’s a luxury car, this does not always mean that it was well taken care of. Bad previous owners can be found within the luxury auto market as well. Whether or not the used auto you are examining was well looked after depends on the person who owned it before.
To find out how many people previously owned the vehicle and for how long, as well as repair and accident data, you should get a car history report. This can not only tell you whether the car has been involved in any accidents, but also whether any other catastrophic problems, such as flooding, have occurred. This is important because, even if the car has yet to show problems, you could experience some shortly after you buy it.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 |
Truck leasing to get that truck equipment you need today instead of purchasing, can be a cost-effective option, particularly if you don’t have ready cash on hand. The same acquisition rationale applies to all heavy equipment. Along with being able to regulate your cash flow more effectively, truck leasing offers these additional advantages:
Asset Management ** A truck equipment lease provides the use of equipment for specific periods of time at fixed payments. Depending on how the truck lease is structured, the lessor assumes and manages the risk of equipment ownership. At the end of the truck lease, the lessor is responsible for the disposition of the asset.
Balance Sheet Management ** Because an operating truck lease is not considered a long-term debt or liability, it does not appear as debt on your financial statements, thus making you more attractive to traditional lenders.
Current Technology ** If the nature of your industry demands that you have the latest truck technology a short-term operating truck lease can help you get the needed equipment and keep your cash out-lay to a minimum. Your risk of getting stuck with obsolete equipment is lower because you can upgrade or add equipment to meet your ever-changing needs.
Customized Payment Solutions ** A variety of truck leasing products are available, allowing you to tailor a program to fit your month-to-month or year-to-year cash flow needs. Some lessors offer stepped- payment programs, with the payments being smaller at the beginning of the lease to allow the lessee’s cashflow to build. The payments then ramp up latter in the payment schedule when the new truck(s) have increased the business revenue. Other lessors offer seasonal deferred payment programs for businesses that experience cashflow challenges during the year. Always ask for these options. Independent lessors want your business. If it makes sense financially, they will often accommodate your needs.
Flexible End Of Term Options ** There are several options for disposing of equipment after the lease term ends including returning the equipment, renewing the lease or purchasing the equipment.
Flexibility ** As your business grows and your needs change, you can add or upgrade at any point during the lease term through add-on or master leases. Lessors want you as a long term customer and are often creative in how they structure a truck lease for you. Captive or in-house truck leasing programs may not be as flexible. So, you can often find more flexible truck leasing arrangements with Independent Truck Leasing Companies.
Immediate Write-Off ** Truck Lease payments can be treated as expenses (depending on how the lease is structured) on a company’s balance sheet, therefore, truck equipment does not have to be depreciated over five to seven years. (Consult with your tax professional prior to making major asset acquisition decisions)
Improved Cash Forecasting ** By leasing need truck equipment you know the amount and number of lease payments over the life of the leasing period, so you can accurately forecast cash requirements for your equipment.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Monday, June 30th, 2008 |
A majority of vehicle consumers know next to nothing about the steering and suspension in the cars they drive. It isn’t a surprise, though. Almost every vehicle consumer in the world today trusts the knowledge of their car and their car parts to the manufacturers, and the mechanics. For those of you who would like to know a little more about your vehicle, here is a starter course.
A vehicle ’s suspension is the system of front and rear springs that suspend a car ’s weight. The suspension springs utilized in today ’s vehicles are created in a multitude of shapes, types, sizes, capacities, and rates. The types of suspension offered are: leaf springs, air springs, coil springs, and torsion bars. There are always four sets for every vehicle, and they can be paired off in many different combinations and attached at several different mounting points.
The suspension system in a vehicle includes: shocks or struts, and sway bars. Historically, the car ’s weight was set on the rear axle, and steering was much simpler; having a turning tiller that pivoted the entire front of the car. When the engine block was finally installed in the front of the car, a more complex steering system was developed. Today ’s vehicle has made great strides toward being more than just a foot propelled box. There have been significant innovations in steering and suspension, increased durability and quality of parts, and advancements in tire design and composition that have made significant improvements in the way a vehicle drives and how safe the driver is.
A vehicle ’s suspension system is comprised of 2 fundamental functions: keeping the vehicle ’s tires firmly planted on the road, and to offer a comfortable, bump-free ride for everyone inside. There is nothing worse than riding along a pothole filled road and feeling all the little holes, crevices, dips, and bumps. A majority of a vehicle ’s suspension system ’s work is done by the springs. Under normal road conditions, the springs would support the body of the vehicle, balancing it by compressing and rebounding with every little bump, jiggle, and dip in the road. Unfortunately, a suspension system alone cannot insure the driver has a smooth ride. Enter the shock absorbers. Shock absorbers do exactly what they sound like they do: they absorb the shock of the rebounding before it reaches the occupants of the vehicle. Purchasing Ford shock absorbers is something your bones will thank you for.
The Ford Motor Company has top billing as one of the foremost auto manufacturers in the world. This didn’t come easy. It has taken model after model of technological genius to be dubbed with such an accolade. Throughout its years in the business, Ford has continued to be one of the most successful vehicle manufacturers in the industry. What places Ford ahead of its competition? It has consistently been, one of the leading model makers globally. Ford car parts are the best selling aftermarket vehicle parts on the market. There are millions of Ford auto parts sold every year to millions of Ford vehicle owners around the globe. If you’re a Ford car owner, you can easily find the exact part you need in any number of auto parts stores. However, if you’re looking for high-quality Ford vehicle parts, such as: air conditioner condensers, fenders, gas tanks, fog lamps, radiators, and others, you should try buying your parts from a trustworthy source. Purchasing your Ford parts from just any store is like taking your sick child to just any doctor. It shouldn’t be done!
There are a lot of reputable automotive parts suppliers on the internet and all you have to do is surf the web to find them. Their aim is to broaden available service and options by featuring high-quality car parts on their websites. They offer millions of top-notch vehicle replacement parts that have been manufactured by the best manufacturers in the business. Visit their sites to find a gigantic variety of Ford parts and Ford accessories: corner lights, headlamps, mirrors, tires, wheels, window regulators, and much more. Ford owners can now purchase automotive parts quickly, easily, and reliably.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 |
You’ve surely heard their motto “Built Ford Tough”. Well, Ford is not simply referring to their line of pickups. Ford Motor Company is currently the third largest automaker in the world. This Dearborn, MI company that was founded on June 16, 1903 by Mr. Henry Ford has more than held up to its reputation with personal vehicles as well as heavy duty trucks. Today the Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational Company and chances are you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know something about this company.
Ford first began its manufacturing of trucks in 1908. Things have changed considerably since that first truck rolled off the assembly line. Commercial vehicles were eventually produced for the Ford truck line in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the United States, although this manufacturing maneuver did not last long. The European venture lasted longer than others although it too is now non-existent. In 1986 the European Ford venture, called the Ford of Britain, was sold to the Iveco group and new models from this company are manufactured under the Transcontinental and Cargo logos.
The United States version of the Ford heavy truck division was sold to Freightliner, which is now part of the Daimler truck line. Since 1997 the brand has been known under the Sterling logo. Although Ford continues today to manufacture medium class trucks with the ever popular F-650 and F-750 names, they have also recently added the new LCF series to the line-up which is somewhat similar to the Ford Cargo trucks of yesteryear.
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 |
The trucking industry in the United States is booming more than ever. Even with the current rise in gas and oil prices, trucks must still run bringing products to stores and consumers. Without the trucking industry we would simply be reverted to the days of horse and buggies, growing our own food and living without many of the necessities that we have today. With that being said, it is important to realize that in order for truckers or trucking companies to haul the things that we need, they must first know where to locate trucks for sale.
You can find many trucks, from light to heavy duty haulers, virtually anywhere that you look. One of the best places to begin your search is on the internet. There are a wide variety of places where you can find information about specific truck models, such as a manufacturer’s website or a site that offers listings of used and new trucks for sale. Knowing where to begin your search is half the battle.
Once you have located a site that offers new and used trucks for sale, you simply need to keep in mind what budget you have for purchasing your truck and any other specifics that you have in mind, such as brand or luxury level. There are many semi trucks today that offer comfort capabilities that are very similar to what you experience at home. From extra large sleeping areas to room for a refrigerator, microwave, television and even a computer, you can put virtually anything in your truck and haul it with you on the road. Once you have determined how much you can afford to pay and any luxuries that you want, you will be ready to really start searching for your perfect truck
Posted in Trucks | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 |
Rollback trucks are now the standard of the auto recovery industry. Easier and less expensive to operate than boom type wreckers, buying a used rollback truck is a sound business decision.
Since very few used car and truck dealers will have used rollback trucks in their inventory, the internet has become a viable channel to locate the best deals and selections. Buying a vehicle from an online listing is not that much different than the conventional buying methods. The amount of vehicles available may be astounding to a first time internet shopper, but that simply opens the door to more bargains.
The first priority should be finding a truck within a reasonable distance from you. Naturally, not many buyers will be willing to drive cross country to look at a vehicle. Once one or more vehicles that fit your needs are located, begin the process of contacting the seller to get as much information on each vehicle as possible.
Many times a potential buyer can begin eliminating vehicles from consideration by simply asking the seller questions about the vehicle. Maybe the truck doesn’t have a particular option that the buyer needs. Or the buyer may have doubts as to whether the vehicle is in reasonably good condition.
The point is to not be afraid to ask questions. A reputable seller will be glad to answer questions from all potential buyers. Be leery of a seller who seems reluctant to answer your questions, or tries to shift the subject to something else. An honest seller will usually call attention to any known defects, and make sure buyers are aware there may be a problem with the vehicle.
The most trusted and respected sites have many ways to protect buyers. Never try to bypass the safeguards that these sites put in place to protect the buyer. Safe and secured transactions are the main priority for all parties involved.
Buying a used rollback truck online is a safe and viable method of getting the best selection and best price. But as in any buying decision, shop around for the best deals before buying any used rollback truck
Posted in News, Trucks | No Comments »
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 |
The Ford Motor Company said it is making further reductions to its North American truck production plan, while adding more small cars, crossovers and fuel-efficient powertrains in response to the continued deterioration in the U.S. business environment and the accelerated shift away from large trucks and SUVs.
Ford also announced that sedan and hatchback versions of the next-generation European Ford Focus will be produced in North America beginning in late 2010.
“As gasoline prices average more than $4 a gallon and consumers worry about the weak U.S. economy, we see June industry-wide auto sales slowing further and demand for large trucks and SUVs at one of the lowest levels in decades,” said Alan Mulally, president and CEO. “Ford has taken decisive action to respond to this accelerating shift in customer demand away from large trucks and SUVs to smaller cars and crossovers, and we will continue to act swiftly moving forward.”
Including medium and heavy vehicles, Ford now expects U.S. industry volume to be between 14.7 and 15.2 million units, compared with the previous assumption of 15 to 15.4 million units. Accordingly, Ford now plans to produce 475,000 vehicles in the third quarter, a reduction of 50,000 units from previously-announced plans and a decline of 25 per cent when compared with the 2007 third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Ford plans to produce 550,000 to 590,000 units, a reduction of 40,000 units from previously-announced plans, and a decline of 8 to 14 per cent compared with the 2007 fourth quarter.
Ford will also delay the introduction of the new 2009 F-150 pickup truck by approximately two months, due to the industry-wide slowdown in the segment and the need to sell down dealer inventory of the current model. The new truck will go on sale in late fall.
To cut back its production, Ford will now begin 2009 F-150 production in August at Kansas City Assembly Plant and in September at Dearborn Truck, and will eliminate one shift at each plant; Michigan Truck Plant will be idled for nine consecutive weeks beginning the week of June 23; and the line speed will be reduced at Kentucky Truck Plant and Chicago Assembly. Production of large pickups will wind down at Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico by the end of 2008; the plant will be retooled for production of the new Fiesta small car for North America, beginning in early 2010.
Ford will also add a third shift for production of the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and Ford Flex at its plant in Oakville, Ontario. Other upgraded plants include a third shift at Kansas City, which produces the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner; and a new third shift at Wayne Assembly to produce the Ford Focus.
“We view the move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles as permanent, and we are responding to customer demand,” Mulally said. “In the near term, we are adjusting production to the actual demand, increasing small cars and crossovers, and reducing large trucks and SUVs. For the long term, we are moving fast to introduce more small cars, crossovers and fuel-efficient powertrains, including more hybrids, and we will adjust our manufacturing facilities to match our updated product line-up.”
Posted in Ford updates, Trucks | No Comments »
