Our story continues...

I was listening to the radio and the endless pre-game shows, which I found interesting, since in the Freightliners you could not think straight, or hear the radio with all the road noise. I did not even realize I was on the hills and NOT in the snail lane, but in the middle lane passing tractor trailers, straight trucks and other cab overs like they were standing still. I even noticed that I was passing cars and, to my delight, was now on the 9% Town Hill grade going 55 MPH. As I approached Breezewood, I looked down at the fuel gauge to find that I had only used half a tank. So much for the good times the gauge must be broken. Well, I needed to use the facilities and refresh the coffee.

I pulled in to the Petro Truck Stop, put in the nozzle and struggled to get 15 gallons into the tank. This was incredible as I realized I had been on the road for just two hours and ten minutes and must have been averaging 10 MPG even with the hills. The fill up done, the coffee refreshed, I hit the GPS to show 138 miles and two hours thirteen minutes had elapsed. Well, it had been easy so far, but once you get to Somerset, the bad weather seems to kick in! Hopefully I could make it in three hours, but you never know!

I must say, this engine brake was really nice on the hills. I did not even need to hit the brakes and the truck slowed down. The sales person had recommended a limited slip differential. A little costly, but due to heading to the eastern shore of Maryland and back muddy roads to pick up Crabs in the summer, I had relented. Wow, I saw vehicles off the side of the road as I headed up towards the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel. I remembered that the brochure had said the vehicle had matched all weather tires and thanked my lucky stars as I saw other vehicles struggling for traction. This truck was like a sure footed mountain lion.

My GPS was now showing my destination in Pittsburgh was just ten miles and the truck was purring like a kitten! The roads were pretty well maintained at this point and I was really moving, making the telephone poles look like a picket fence. I got a call from Bob, asking if I was in Breezewood yet? I told him to get his crew out back because in two miles, two turns and four minutes, his delivery would be made! Four hours, thirty minutes and about $100 in fuel! He was speechless as I popped out of the comfortable cab and held out my hand for the delivery fee!

The End

Our story continues...

Although it seemed like every week, this guy from the Isuzu dealership had been dropping by at 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM for five years at least every two to three months. He had even let me demo a truck twice. He had shown up back in the Fall, not my peak season by any means, and had given me a quote on an Isuzu NRR with something called Priority Maintenance. My warehouse manager had raved about this plan that produced real cost savings, and that cost hundreds of dollars less than my full service Freightliners. After about two weeks in the fleet, I was having so many issues with my drivers demanding that they get that “cab over thing,” that I had made it the driver of the month’s truck, based on safety and delivery efficiency. The drivers were shaving about 30 – 45 minutes off their daily runs due the maneuverability. I did not quite understand how that little truck could carry the same load as those big Freightliners, even while getting about 30% better fuel economy.

What the heck, I thought, everybody else likes it, might as well try it this one time. I jumped in and headed up the road to BWI. I easily backed into the dock, not remembering it was this easy in the Freightliner, identified myself and climbed back in. I decided to briefly thumb through the owners manual and brochure in the glove compartment.

Hmmm…. tilt and telescoping wheel, adjustable seat, cruise control, 6 speed automatic, 205 horsepower, 441 lbs of torque, and a nice little work station. I remembered some of this from the delivery presentation, but was probably more concerned with why I had been talked into this little truck. Oh well, at least I was not locked into a lease for five years like the Freightliners. I had tried to down size some years before and had learned a costly lesson.

I was loaded by 9:00 AM and headed out of the airport, with a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts for a large double cream and two chocolate frosted! My GPS was showing 127 miles and two hours to Breezewood PA and the entrance to the turnpike. I had planned for three and, based on my estimated 5 MPG and the 30 gallon tank, I could probably get to the Pennsylvania Turnpike before I needed to fill up. With any luck I should make it to Pittsburgh by 3:30 – 4:00 PM which would give Bob about two hours to get the lobster served. Close, but better than a 50 grand loss!

I headed up I-95 to the Baltimore beltway, I-695 northwest to I-70. Wow, this was pretty sweet on the flat land: 65 mph with no effort. What a nice ride! Unlike the other trucks, this cup holder was nice and the drink did not spill. Too bad once I got past Hagerstown, MD and headed to Breezewood PA and the turnpike, it would be all uphill in the snail lane.

To be continued...

The phone rang on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM. I was lounging around on my one day off, reading the newspaper and anticipating a quiet Super Bowl Sunday. It was Bob from Allegany Fresh, one of my Seafood Association members from Pittsburg calling with panic in his voice!

“Nick, Pittsburgh International (PIT) is socked in with snow and fog,” Bob said. “I have two tons of fresh Maine Lobsters being diverted to Baltimore (BWI). There is little chance they will get here in time for my Super Bowl catered affair, there is no anticipation of the fog lifting till late tonight at best, and this could cost me 50 big ones!”

“Bob, what can I do to help?” I asked.

“Nick, I hate to ask this, but is there any way you can get a driver to go to BWI, pick up the load and have it driven to Pittsburgh? If you can get somebody on the road in the next hour, and it takes about six hours, it will be close, but I need to give it a Steeler try.”

It took a split second to respond, that I would do everything possible. E-mail me the information and I would get back to him in less than fifteen minutes.

I got off the phone, fired up the MAC and made a quick executive decision. No way would I even call one of my drivers on their day off, particularly since it was also Super Bowl Sunday. Being just ten minutes from my distribution center in Jessup, Maryland just down I-95 from BWI, I threw on a coat and was unlocking my warehouse office in a matter of minutes. I had just taken delivery of a new 2008 Isuzu, my first cab over and first owned truck in twenty years. The balance of my fleet were full service leased Freightliners. I had finally relented to buy this Isuzu thing for around town runs. I may have bought it just to get this salesperson off my back.

To be continued...

This is a must read for many businesses to act now to purchase new equipment!

Article 1 - Extension of Bonus Depreciation - Summary - businesses to immediately write-off fifty percent of the cost of depreciable property. Businesses are allowed to recover the cost of capital expenditures over time according to a depreciation schedule. Last year, Congress temporarily allowed businesses to recover the costs of capital expenditures made in 2008 faster than the ordinary depreciation schedule would allow by permitting these businesses to immediately write-off fifty percent of the cost of depreciable property (e.g., equipment, tractors, wind turbines, solar panels, and computers) acquired in 2008 for use in the United States. The bill would extend this temporary benefit for capital expenditures incurred in 2009.

Article 2 - Extension of Enhanced Small Business Expensing - Summary - until the end of 2010, small business taxpayers are allowed to write-off up to $125,000 (indexed for inflation) of capital expenditures subject to a phase-out once capital expenditures exceed $500,000 (indexed for inflation). In order to help small businesses to quickly recover the cost of certain capital expenses, small business taxpayers may elect to write-off the cost of these expenses in the year of acquisition, in lieu of recovering these costs over time through depreciation. Until the end of 2010, small business taxpayers are allowed to write-off up to $125,000 (indexed for inflation) of capital expenditures subject to a phase out once capital expenditures exceed $500,000 (indexed for inflation). Last year, Congress temporarily increased the amount that small businesses could write-off for capital expenditures incurred in 2008 to $250,000 and increased the phase-out threshold for 2008 to $800,000. The bill would extend these temporary increases for capital expenditures incurred in 2009.

Article 3 - Net Operating Losses for Small Businesses 5-Year Carryback - Summary - the bill would extend the maximum Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryback period from two years to five years for small businesses with gross receipts of $15 million or less. Under current law, net operating losses (“NOLs”) may be carried back to the two taxable years before the year that the loss arises (the “NOL carryback period”) and carried forward to each of the succeeding twenty taxable years after the year that the loss arises. For 2008, the bill would extend the maximum NOL carryback period from two years to five years for small businesses with gross receipts of $15 million or less.

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. does not provide tax or accounting advice. Consult your tax professional before making any purchase.

http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb021209.pdf

Isuzu Truck of America, Inc. began operations March 16, 1984. At that time, the American commercial truck market was introduced to a new corporate mark. The twin pillars of Isuzu’s original logo represented the two facets of Isuzu’s corporate philosophy: that Isuzu grows in harmony with society and grows with people. Twenty-five years later, that philosophy is recognized as the foundation of our SEE philosophy that we follow today.

2000
New FRR models introduced with 18,000 lbs. and 19,500 lbs. GVW ratings. NQR GVW is increased up to 17,950 lbs.

2001
January - Isuzu introduces the diesel-powered crew cab.

2002
Isuzu truck sales in the United States exceed 275,000 units.

2003
2003-I new gas N/W-Series models introduced with 6.0L Vortec V8 engine rated at 300 HP. This replaces the original 5.7 liter V8. New MZZ six/speed manual overdrive transmission released in NQR. FRR receives the new Allison 1000 series automatic transmission.

2004
F-Series production begins in Flint, MI. for the FTR, FVR and FXR.

2005
The 50,000th N/W-Series Gas model is built in Janesville during April of this year. New emission 4/cylinder electronic control engine with higher HP and torque ratings installed in diesel N/W-Series. The new NRR/W5500 model is introduced for Class 5 with 19,500 lbs. GVW. The F-Series equipped with A/T receives an increase to 300 HP.

2006
N/W-Series has a fresh new look with cab exterior panels updated. New interior color and upholstery. ISO switch and indicator labels on instrument panel. Rear engine cover installed. Power windows and power door locks are now standard. Isuzu meets the upcoming 2007 new diesel emissions standards with proven, field-tested technology that complies with reduced NOx and PM emission requirements.

2007
January – The all-new 2008 model year N/W-Series is introduced at the national dealer organization meeting in Las Vegas, NV. 2008 model year marks a full model change to the new 700P cab and chassis, with increased HP and torque on the diesel engine and new 6/speed Aisin A465 automatic transmission (Diesel models). Also introduced is the New Gen Four gas engine for Gas models and the new Gas Crew Cab. ICTA introduces the SEE philosophy. Safety. Economy. Environment. The Gas Crew Cab is revealed to the public at the Green Industry Expo, Louisville, KY.

2008
Isuzu extends its SEE philosophy by staging Fuel Economy Challenges throughout the U.S. This strategy demonstrates Isuzu’s commitment to provide solutions that translate into results, economies and savings for fleets and independent truck operators. The 2009 model year Isuzu N/W-Series trucks are so efficient they meet and exceed the current emissions standards. (2008 model certified engines above 14,500 lbs. GVW are 50-state emissions certified and do not require idle shutdown)

2009
Isuzu trucks are helping to reduce the world’s dependence on oil through advanced powertrain development. All Isuzu truck diesel engines feature common rail fuel injection, variable geometry turbo chargers, and advanced combustion system designs for maximum fuel efficiency.

Isuzu engines have been proven to meet the needs of society and customers for super-clean power sources that reduce environmental impact. In 2010, Isuzu trucks will feature a new class of diesel engines to meet the most stringent emissions standards in the world.