Used CV Registrations Jump in 2013

Here is some good news for our industry: used commercial vehicle registrations are up 9.1% for the first half of 2013. New CV registrations are up as well, though not nearly as much. This reflects a strong market for well maintained, clean, used trucks and equipment. A jump in used CV registrations means that instead of adding new trucks to the nation’s fleets, many are choosing to instead refurbish existing vehicles and give them new life in the total vehicle population.

By definition, a commercial vehicle is any motor vehicle used for transporting paid passengers or any type of goods and is titled or registered to a company. According to a Truckinginfo.com article, “new commercial vehicle registrations during the January-June period were basically flat, the demand for used equipment continues to be strong and continues to outperform new registrations, as used transactions accounted for 56.7% of total commercial vehicle transactions during the first half of the year.”

This information shows us that the trucking industry is growing, but cautiously. The demand for well taken care-of used commercial vehicles suggests many need CVs, but aren’t ready to commit to an investment in a brand new model. We happen to recognize this need and specialize in refurbishing existing equipment and vehicles so they continue to be of use to the transportation industry, especially when it may not be possible or practical to purchase a new vehicle.

The Pros and Cons of LED Headlights

You may be hearing a lot about LED lights lately, especially as some car and truck makers are integrating them into their latest models. What exactly is an LED? LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is a semi-conductor light source available across many wavelengths at a very high brightness level. They release energy in the form of photons, called electroluminescence. So, should you opt for new LED headlights in your next vehicle? First, carefully consider the pros and cons:

Pros:

·         LED lights need very little power to operate

·         They are small in size and therefore easy to manipulate into a variety of shapes and applications

·         LEDs have a very high brightness level, making it easy to see on back roads and poorly lit areas

·         They have a longer lifespan than traditional headlight bulbs (lasting up to 3 times longer)

Cons:

·         LED headlights are not yet legal in all areas

·         LEDs do not emit heat when they emit light, so snow and ice will not melt off of your headlights in wintery months

·         However, they DO create heat around the bottom of the emitter which risks damaging connecting cables and adjoining assemblies

·         LEDs can be very expensive, especially if a large size is required (usually around 3 times more expensive than filament headlights)

·         They are very sensitive to heat and may require heat sinks or cooling devices

As you can see, there are obvious advantages and disadvantages to installing LED headlights in your vehicle, it all depends on what you want and need out of your headlights.