www.kebobel.com

We have all heard all the talk about the fuel economy and innovations of Hybrid Cars and how they are sweeping the nation. Last year in 2004 in fact over 88,000 Hybrids were sold and waiting lists are still climbing. Honda, Toyota and Ford cannot build them fast enough. Things are changing indeed. Although still a drop in the bucket considering the average 17 million cars sold each year in the United States we can see a hyperbolic trend forming as oil prices stay high. Also with China and India entering the global game for demand for oil we will see the price per barrel to continue to remain high even if OPEC decides to stay on the same team, which built their industry there.

The Japanese are now showcasing their technologies in medium sized trucks. In fact Hino Motors, which makes the very popular box type delivery trucks you see around town is now making a diesel electric version to be available in the 2006 models in the US. They have been available in Japan since 2003. The unit is called the Hino 165 Hybrid; pictured here:

http://fleetowner.com/hino.gif

The price is still a little steep at $116,000 per truck which is just over two times the cost, but Hino a spokesman said in Transport Topics that in fact the fuel savings over a three year period would cover the additional costs and the Public Relations for companies and the tax incentives in states like MA, CA and NY would more than entice buyers to switch over. The fuel saving is a solid 14 to 27% over the conventional models like the Isuzu and other competing trucks like the one pictured here;

http://www.newtrucks.com/pics/isuzublusky.jpg

Hino of North America is convinced that buyers will put up the extra money for the new hybrids and many government agencies are already trying to order them. Meanwhile waiting lists at some fleet dealership locations are not forming. Think on this.

Lance Winslow

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The Net is constantly growing and its users develop more and more applications and utilize it in completely new ways. Several years ago a couple of new sites showed up in the Net; these sites were dedicated to the sale of automotive vehicles. Since that time the number of these sites has substantially increased and I have participated in building one of such sites - European http://www.truck1st.com, American http://www.truck1st.us and Russian search engine for used truck sale http://www.truck1st.ru. Basing on my experience in Internet used truck sales, I can offer you several recommendations on buying trucks and cars; I hope you’ll find them very useful.

The main goal of this kind of sites is to connect sellers and buyers of automotive vehicles, both new and used. Using such sites makes vehicle trade much easier for sellers as well as for buyers. These sites create virtual marketplace where buyers can offer their vehicles and sellers can look through the buyers’ stock. So the search for the customer or for specific vehicle becomes unnecessary, saving lots of time and money for both parties.

In practice it looks as follows. The seller places his vehicles at the website, usually it is vehicle description, pictures and additional info (price, delivery terms and contacts). See www.truck1st.com for specific examples. So when the buyer wants to buy a vehicle, he gets online, connects to the website and looks through the sellers’ vehicles. Then he gets in touch with the seller, confirms vehicle specification and availability and purchases the vehicles. Such internet trade allows to shop for vehicles located not only your vicinity, but nationwide and even worldwide. Sometimes it saves a lot of money and lets find exactly what you are looking for.

It is clear that the used car or truck technical condition is a crucial factor. When choosing used truck or car, the more choice you have - the better the chances that you will buy a vehicle in good technical condition. In this case Internet purchase is a very effective solution.

So let’s contact the seller and clear everything up. It is better done by phone, though email message is also acceptable. But you will save a lot of time by making simple phone call. Besides, the human factor in communication is very important, so pick up the phone and call him.
What should I mention during my first contact with the seller? Here is a list. But very important - write down everything the seller will say to you. Later, when you think everything over to make decision, you will appreciate it later.

1. First of all represent yourself, name the reason of your call and website where you have found the truck. Ask if the vehicle is still available.

2. Let’s assume it is not sold yet. Then ask about every word in the description to check it is really true. It is much better if you spend 2 minutes of your time now, than to come to the buyer after and find out that there is no air conditioning, though it was mentioned at the website.

3. Ask about everything that was not described - minor technical problems, condition of engine, body, clutch, suspension, tyres, interior. Do not forget anything, you should have complete picture in your mind. For example, the cost of new tyres for tractor truck is about 200$ for a wheel and a lot of people usually forget to ask about tyre condition.

4. When it comes to price, do not be shy to argue a bit. Usually people put a little higher price that would actually satisfy them. Anyway a little of bargaining never harmed anyone.

It is much better for if you choose several vehicles and make several calls. You should not restrict yourself to a single truck, remember - the more choice you have, the better truck you will buy.

So by this time you should have called 3-4 sellers and have 3-4 papers with complete description at your table. Now its your time - relax and think everything over and make your final decision. Sometimes it is wise to call the sellers again and tell them that you have a little better offers - it will surprisingly move the prices down and help you make your final decision.

That’s it, now you are ready to go and pick up your new used truck. Just don’t forget to let your eyes see everything your ears heard - take the paper with vehicle description (that you have written down during your talk with the seller) and check everything. It is very advisable that you check the truck or car at the local service center - let professionals do their job.

And by the way, the last price is always fixed after final vehicle examination.

Pavel Borodin
TRUCK1ST manager.

Pavel Borodin is a manager of TRUCK1ST - http://www.truck1st.com, website devoted to the used truck sale. He has five years of experience in selling and buying trucks over the Internet.

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Today’s modern SUVs were originally based on trucks and with good reasons. Trucks are versatile machines, transporting soil from Home Depot; towing the yacht to the lake; to hauling family members, their belongings, and even a mid-sized car to use for jaunts to the local restaurant after parking the truck at one’s favorite camping spot.

So it’s surprising that truck owners have not embraced hybrid technology. Who wouldn’t want phenomenally better gas mileage? But in some ways the reaction is understandable. The most well-known hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius, is not known for its power to go up mountains or tow even a small cart much less two tons of rocks. Trucks, to fulfill their duties, need power first.

But ‘hybrid’ means merger and in this case, a gasoline engine and battery pack with the latter either supplementing or replacing the former depending on driving conditions. This combination can be tuned to emphasize power or fuel economy, many times providing both. The six-cylinder hybrid Honda Accord, for example, gets an additional fifteen ponies compared to its non-hybrid version while providing gas mileage like its four-cylinder Civic siblings. GM’s first full-sized hybrid trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, are estimated to get an additional ten percent increase in their mileage. While this may not sound like much, it adds ‘high mileage’ to the pair’s already impressive list of features. But most importantly, neither truck suffers lost of torque for speed, hauling or pulling power with the hybrid powertrain.

The batteries provide other advantages as well. The Silverado and Sierra can use their hybrid batteries to power equipment when on site, for example. Reviewers of the trucks for Automobile magazine found the feature heaven-sent when their computer equipment ran out of juice out in the middle of nowhere. Why haul miniature power plants or extra batteries when you drive one?

Finally, some of the most powerful and popular trucks have diesel option which is not allowed in many states due to environmental concerns. Hybrids were developed to be environmentally friendly and hybrid pickups could be used in lieu of their diesel brethren in such states.

Hybrids offer far more than just being friendly to one’s environment or better gas mileage. Truck owners, already driving one of the most versatile vehicles around, would have all those advantages magnified by a hybrid powertrain.

Ian Velvet publishes TruckTrend.com’s truck reviews articles. His expertise in new and used trucks is evident is all his articles. Newly publishing Ezine’s online to illustrate and educate auto consumers.

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