I agree that the next tier engines will see more customers look at electric trucks or gas trucks as against diesel trucks,

But seen this and thought it was quite interesting its a post by some one on how the market in the UK has changed and one of many replies


Just found this rental quote from 1990 while having an office clear out and it just shows how stupid the materials handling industry has become in giving away machines at ridiculous rates, 3 ton diesel, pretty standard spec, 7 year deal at £105.41 per week! We now see companies putting trucks out at nearly half the rate on 5 year deals nearly 20 years later, anyone can get deals by giving machines away, that's not selling, but what's the point in working for nothing, all of our costs and truck prices have gone up but our rates have gone down.


I was told that you got the cost of the forklift back after 3 years of rental, not the case now. I think that the manufacturers that don't use a dealer network have a surplus of machines due to hitting factory production targets. Hence they get they but then at cost plus a bit (inter company transfer) and just get them out at any price. Cheap Chinese trucks don't help. But neither are going away so you have to re-model your business and maximise all your profit centres. Servicing, repairs, keep your fleet healthy and win every hire you can. There are still some good rates out there.