Some pretty knowledgeable men think there is according to the Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference report.
Dennis Manns, vice president of logistics for American Honda, said he was
worried that as the market in North America heated up, car hauliers would
struggle to find the right drivers and ensure the necessary focus on damage
prevention. “It is a concern that we have as sales grow again; can carriers
just slap trucks and drivers right back into the market?”
Other carriers and carmakers at the event shared Manns’ concerns over capacity levels in future, including
Ford’s Walter Lowe, manager of North American vehicle logistics, who expressed particular concern on the
trucking side. “It is a bit of a mystery how we had sufficient capacity at 17m units a year, but we are struggling
at 11m units,” he said.
update: Cottrell has posted a letter on their website committing to keeping up with the demand of carriers.
the great logistical experts can’t figure it out???? who can haul fords for the rates they want them done at when they pay almost the same rate for a 550 as a 150 pick up. Rocket science at its best. They have put everyone out of business that had enough trucks to do it. Who wants to work for free. Just look what’s going on with Accurate and Sierra Mountain (see the rates on central ). Just a thought i haul them everyday for Cjm but we are mostly loaded both ways out here in good ole mt/co/wyo and can run high-heavy-and long thats the only way it even works.
later
mac
ps jeff keep n repo wk don’t get shot
ya i agree. the rates are just ridiculous. i work for one of the big carriers. i think that its time for all of the carriers, small or big stick together raise our rates even across the board and stick to it. we have to find a way to get these dealers to pay a fair rate. some of the dealers i deliver to want overnight service from ca to the pac north west. well they need to pay fed ex rates then. and as far as damage free service, well remember that old saying “you get what you pay for”. pay up or shut up.