(I apologize, the gate model is a RPM25, not RPL that was stated a few times in the video!)
8/01/24
Taiwan Makes American Trucks Great Again! Tour of Sheet Metal and Replacement Parts Factories
We've all wondered what parts manufacturing looks like overseas. With so much of our classic truck (and car) parts being produced in Taiwan, our team at Classic Truck Performance decided it was time to jump on a 14 hour flight and brave the food options to find out for ourselves.
Our trip focused on visiting factories producing reproduction sheet metal for classic cars and trucks but our adventure led us much deeper into replacement parts and automotive lifestyle products manufacturing. We were fortunate to have our good friend Paul, owner of Golden Star Classic Auto Parts, as our guide and translator as we visited Muscle Car GT, CHL Auto Parts and other factories in Taiwan.
Before our trip, we kept hearing one name pop up: Mr. GT. All conversations about sheet metal seemed to lead back to Mr. GT, and during our trip we were able to spend multiple days with the man, the myth and the legend. Mr. GT is the owner of Muscle Car GT, the largest producer of sheet metal in Taiwan. We were able to visit the main Muscle Car GT Factory and find out the backstory of Mr. GT and the process of making sheet metal.
Mr. GT started producing sheet metal for classic cars in the 80's. It started with reproduction sheet metal for early Mustang's and eventually grew into producing sheet metal for most makes and models of classic trucks and cars. We are talking thousands of parts for car models like: Chevy C10, Ford F100, Chevelle, Nova, Camaro, VW Bus, Porsche and so much more.
One of the most interesting thing we learned on the trip was the how sheet metal tooling is being made with state of the art technology. From scanning original parts from complete bodies shipped to Taiwan, to creating styrofoam moldings, to casting the parts, refining them and eventually being ready to start stamping parts. We are talking up to a few hundred thousand dollars of investment into producing tooling for something like a quarter panel. And when you walk through these factories, you see hundreds of tools used to make everything from the largest pieces to the smallest pieces of metal for our vehicles.
In fact, Mr. GT started reproducing complete body shells back in the early 2000's, and people thought he was crazy for doing so. Fast forward 20 years and it's so much more common to start a high level build with complete new reproduction sheet metal for C10's, Tri-Five's, Bronco's, Mustang's, VW Bus's, etc. And not only does that give us American's more options for complete bodies to start with, making complete body shells has also ensured that each piece of the vehicles fits together and works together.
While we were in Taiwan, Paul from Golden Star Classic Auto Parts showed us the different body shells he is building: 1955 - 1957 Chevy's, 1969 - 1972 Blazers and 1969 - 1972 Chevy C10's. We were also able to see some of the new injection molding machines Paul purchased from GM and shipped from Tennessee from Taiwan. These new machines will make grilles fro New Body Style Chevy Trucks from 1999 - 2006. Some of these machines weighed up to 40,000 per machine, which meant that Paul had to ship 15 containers to get all these machines to Taiwan, but Paul can see that the NBS will eventually be the hot truck and he will be ready to supply grilles for those trucks.
Overall, our team left Taiwan with a greater appreciation for the people, tools and companies making reproduction sheet metal for our classic cars and trucks. These business owners have invested millions of dollars into creating the tools to make sure we have options for replacement sheet metal and reproduction parts for our hobby. If it weren't for people like Mr. GT and Paul from Golden Star Classic Auto Parts our industry wouldn't have the options that we have today and we would likely have more rusted out trucks and cars lying in overgrown fields unable to be brought back to life. So to the producers and importers, we say thank you.
https://www.classictruckperformance.com/
https://goldenstarauto.com/
https://musclecargt.com/
7/30/24
Ctech Online Cabinet Store + Configurator!
7/23/24
GMC Sierra EV and GMC HUMMER EV | “Crabwalk”
We don’t cut corners. We conquer them. GMC Sierra EV and GMC HUMMER EV with available features like 4-Wheel Steer and CrabWalk™.
7/22/24
The Rise of Catalytic Converter Thefts from Work Trucks / Premier Truck Center Finds Solution for Isuzu's
A concerning trend has emerged that has left many work truck owners scratching their heads in disbelief - the surge in catalytic converter theft from these vehicles. It seems that no work truck is safe from these brazen criminal acts, leaving professionals perplexed and frustrated.
Why are catalytic converters becoming the prime target of thieves, specifically from work trucks?
Read: The Rise of Catalytic Converter Thefts from Work Trucks HERE:
Stolen Catalytic Converter Picture:
Premier Cat Guard Installed:
ISUZU CAT GUARDS AVAILABLE FROM PREMIER TRUCK CENTER
The Cat Guards from Premier Truck Center can be easily installed on your Isuzu protecting it from Catalytic Converter Theft.
These guards come packaged as a kit and can be easily installed in about one hour. They will be assembled around the Converter and provide a barrier that will make it virtually impossible to remove your Catalytic Converters!
Call 941-729-8196 and ask for Dylan
or email at sales@premiertrucksfl.com
7/20/24
Catalytic Converter: How It Works | Science Garage
Exhaust has a lot to do with performance. Catbacks, Mufflers and resonators get all the attention, but the Catalytic Converter is super cool too! It’s an amazing design that changed the way we think about driving. Catalytic Converters have helped gas engines a viable means of transport while drastically reducing emissions. Bart cuts one open to see what's inside, and he explains the reactions they facilitate to turn exhaust from nasty to nice.
Bart teaches us how cars work by blowing stuff up and cutting things in half. It’s a science show for the car lover who’s easily bored. Join Bart as he explains the science behind everything automotive. This is cars down to the atom. This is Science Garage.
Some of our best videos ever are coming out soon, stay tuned so you won't miss a thing!
7/18/24
Addressing the Commercial Truck Insurance Crisis
The insurance landscape for commercial transportation finds itself navigating treacherous terrain. With the specter of truck accidents, theft, loss, and driver-related issues looming large, the economic backdrop has spawned a crisis in insurance, sending rates soaring and sending shockwaves through fleet management circles.
Nuclear verdicts and litigation awards further compound the challenges, leaving private fleets grappling with the daunting task of mitigating these escalating costs to safeguard their businesses.
In this article, we delve into the depths of this insurance crisis, exploring its multifaceted impacts on the commercial trucking industry and offering strategic solutions to help businesses steer clear of financial peril. From dissecting the trends driving insurance premiums skyward to advocating for safe fleet management practices and innovative leasing options, we aim to equip fleet managers with the insights and tools necessary to navigate these turbulent waters and emerge stronger on the other side.
Trucking Insurance Trends
Shopping for standard car insurance with the lowest monthly payment can be an overwhelming task, especially when searching for a rate that falls within a planned budget. For private fleet managers, however, this is especially difficult. General liability, truck liability, bobtail coverage, non-truck liability, cargo, and physical damage insurance is covered in commercial truck insurance that ranges in price depending on your business location’s state. And, when looking at the bigger picture, the high rate for commercial truck insurance impacts many areas of transportation outside of a larger bill. For example, some companies may be required to scale back their operations to accommodate a hefty insurance expense. This includes:
Did you know that nearly 90% of carriers with smaller fleets paid more on insurance premiums per mile in 2022? This is a common occurrence in the trucking industry, and this extra expense can be a roadblock for many new local businesses starting out. But this isn’t the only alarming statistic. In fact, according to data from the 2023 American Trucking Research Institute's (ATRI) Operational Costs of Trucking Update, large fleets paid 7.7 cents less per mile than small fleets in 2022.
So why do fleet managers typically pay more on insurance for 10 commercial vehicles as opposed to 100 commercial trucks or vans? This boils down to unsafe hiring and safety practices. Compared to established, larger businesses, smaller organizations face an uphill obstacle creating and fostering the growth of strong working relationships with clients. Unless there is a conflict that can impact scheduling and delay deliveries, vendors typically partner with specific parties, such as one dedicated third-party logistics (3PL) provider.
When a new business begins looking for leads to fulfill a company’s transportation needs, it’s crucial for fleet managers, drivers, and other staff to make a strong first impression. Unfortunately, this can create a situation of overpromising and under-delivering the quality of work performed, or vice versa. And, because private fleets are under pressure to quickly break even and eventually turn a profit to stay in business, human resources and hiring managers are determined to minimize costs where possible. In turn, proper training and policies programs can become neglected or cancelled altogether, and this can drastically increase driving infractions. For example,from 2021 to 2022, violations grew by 338,311 for fleets with one to 20 power units, as opposed to 91,737 violations for fleets with 21 to 100 units.
The Impact of Nuclear Verdicts and Litigation Awards on Trucking Insurance
Along with violations, nuclear verdicts are also on the rise adding to the insurance crisis. Nuclear verdicts are settlements or court awards paid to the plaintiff in an amount that exceeds $10 million. These can be catastrophic to a business. According to the ATRI, the average award for plaintiffs’ verdicts from June 2020 to April 2023 was $31,862,776. This staggering amount is particularly concerning because the average verdict awards were already increasing 51.7% per year from 2010 to 2018. With this in mind, there is a direct correlation between litigation awards and rising insurance premiums because trucking companies are in a position of high risk for large payouts when held liable for an accident. And, this created rising annual rates of 35 to 40 percent for smaller fleets from 2016 to 2019.
The Importance of Developing Safe Fleet Management Practices
Whether you’re a fleet manager for a startup or established business, having a solid strategy in place for safe fleet management practices is crucial to maintaining a great reputation among the trucking community. By continuously upholding and following safety protocols, your drivers will be empowered to handle their commercial vehicle with more caution. Here are some steps your company can take:
The insurance crisis on rising premium costs may be difficult to navigate when searching for the right provider for your company. However, these steps can reduce accidents in the workplace or on the road, increase the company’s overall safety rating, and influence more experienced drivers to apply for employment. Ultimately, these factors can prevent nuclear verdicts, gain the respect of insurance providers and give you more bargaining power when negotiating rates.
Leasing Trucks with Vehicle Protection
One thing to consider with your business’s fleet is researching leasing options as an alternative to owning your commercial vehicles. Leasing trucks with vehicle protection sets costs at a fixed rate and helps companies have a stronger overview on their budget predictability. Leasing also outsources maintenance to a 3PL provider that can mitigate insurance risks. For example, Ryder offers preventive, full-service, or on-demand maintenance packages built-in to the lease which cover vehicles with 24/7 roadside assistance, warranty management, tire repairs, and other safety services.
A third-party logistics provider such as Ryder may also offer flexible financing and lease terms with excellent benefits. Ryder offers:
Why You Should Consider Dedicated Transportation Solutions
Sometimes, the flow of business operations can exceed the realistic amount of labor that can be provided by staff. In these cases, executives may need to hone in on specific areas to maintain balance within their organization, and this can, unintentionally, neglect fleet management. This leaves room for the business to fully outsource their fleet to dedicated transportation solutions from a third-party logistics provider.
Dedicated transportation, also known as dedicated contract carriage, optimizes traditional fleet management by providing tailored services and customized solutions, which pass the risk to the provider. In other words, the dedicated provider assumes the liability in the case of an accident, theft/loss, or nuclear verdict. Here’s how it works:
1. Trucks are fully customized to your brand which can include logo wraps.
2. Drivers are hired to represent your business behind-the-wheel.
3. Drivers are trained to reflect your company’s policies.
4. The 3PL provider utilizes transportation management system (TMS) technology to provide real-time visibility, routing, scheduling, and administrative support.
Once a dedicated transportation solution is set in place, you can spend more time focusing on core business functions and place all fleet management on a reliable team to keep operations cost-effective and efficient.
Overcoming the Insurance Crisis for Commercial Trucks
With rising premiums, costs per mile, and nuclear verdicts, it’s more important than ever for private businesses with smaller fleets to overcome the insurance crisis for commercial trucks. Proactive measures must be taken today to begin fostering a culture around company safety, such as refreshing staff on policies and best practices. But, it may be in the best interest of your business to explore leasing with vehicle protection or a dedicated transportation solution.
Written by Justin Dunwiddie. First published at Ryder.com.
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