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AMOA SEMINAR:
Operators talk prices
With prices soaring and quality
slumping, the cost of purchasing and
operating vehicles in any business is
enormous. Security is also a must ,
and both of these subjects were
elaborated on in a "Vehicle Costs
and Route Security" seminar at the
AMOA Show in Chicago, October
31.
Singer
Kerner
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Vehicle c osts
Robert W. Singer of B&F
Amusement Company, began his
presentation on vehicle costs by
reminding the seminar attendees of
the fact that everything is costing
more and more these days. Just a
few years ago, gasoline cost was the
least of anyone's worri es-
moreover , it was normal to get the
car that held the most equipment. If
the engine went out, you bought a
new car! Now it's prudent, of course,
to get the car with the best gas
mileage and make sure you keep it
around a few years.
Citing an example, Singer showed
that a car traveling 25,000 miles per
year, getting 10 miles per gallon
would cost $3500 in fuel. However, a
car traveling the same 25,000 miles
per year getting 20 miles per gallon
only costs $1750. Quite a savings,
especially when you are usually
operating more than one vehicle.
Singer stated that the vehicles
used these days must have super gas
mileage, plus enough power to
handle a load, dependability , and just
plain last and last. So how do you find
this? First, don't attempt to use a car
with too small an engine. Equipment
weighs a lot and most people tend to
over-stuff a car. A 6-cylinder engine
just may not have enough power. A
small V -8 is fuel efficient with plenty
of power.
Secondly, Singer continued, don't
buy a car that is too small. Check to
see if it will hold the normal tools ,
etc ., that are usually carried on a
route. Check to see if it will hold a
game , a back glass or the largest item
you may have to transport. Many of
the smaller cars have adequate room
inside , but make sure first.
Thirdly , if only one person will be
using the vehicle , as a rule, a
standard transmission will give you a
better chance to squeeze every last
mile out of that gallon of gas .
However , if the car will be driven by a
variety of people, an automatic
transmission is probably your best
bet. Also , four -wheel drive vehicles
save fuel.
For deciding on the type of engine
you will take in your vehicles, Singer
lists the advantages and dis -
advantages of the gasoline engine
ve rsus the diesel e ngine . Gasoline
engines are easy to work on by just
about anyone and there is no
problem finding fuel. The diesel
engines may have fewer parts but
not everyone can work on them.
Also, not every gas station has diesel
fuel.
Singer also pointed out that
sometimes it is better to initially
spend a little more for a car that has
the better track record, to save on
repair and upkeep costs. When
purchasing a car, look at everything
available but don't buy something
that will not be practical in the long
run .
B&F Amusements has rules
concerning their vehicles , such as
the following: (1) absolutely no
passengers are to be taken in a
company car (this includes cars
which are taken home by employees);
(2) no borrowing of company cars or
trucks; (3) route men must turn in
their mileage daily (not on a location
to location basis) ; (4) route men
must also fill out a slip showing that
the oil, tires, etc. on their vehicle
have been c hecked and are in good
condition.
The two options, as far as large
trucks for deliveries, are buy or
lease . Each co mpany should
evaluate its moves and compute the
cost of maintaining a truck and then
compare that cost to renting.
Obviously if your company uses a
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FTF
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