Global Parts Inc: Truck Parts + Cargo Control

Chrome is used in countless ways, whether it is a sink in a kitchen, the pipes in a bathroom, or even chrome plated lights in a showroom. However, as we have said time and time again, the best use for chrome is when it involves our trucks. So we decided to sit down and debate over what the best uses for chrome were when it came to making our trucks stick out from the standard fleets. After a few hours we decided that it didn’t really matter where or what you had on your truck, as long as it was chrome, we loved it. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.

10. Nut and Bolt Covers

9. Dash Toggles and Switches

8. License Plate and Tag Frames

7. Interior Visors

6. Hood Ornaments

5. Light Panels

4. Air Horns

3. Fenders

2. Wheels

1. Grilles

Things aren’t looking too terrible for this year’s truck sales, especially after hearing that Volvo Trucks North America released statements regarding the production plans of their new 2010 Trucks. Release dates will be the fall of this year, but Volvo is already taking orders for these trucks, with Navistar and Mack ready for production as well. “These trucks will be initial production trucks, not prototypes or test models”, says a representative from VTNA. These trucks will be different from this year’s model in a very important way.

The major improvement will be the introduction of “selective catalytic reduction” technology which will be installed to meet the EPA’s 2010 regulations. These regulations call for a great reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions. This technology (at least for Volvo) will carry a $9,600 surcharge per truck, but the benefits will far outweigh the cost. Engine warranties will be extended from 2 years or 250,000 miles to 3 years or 300,000 miles.

After looking through the sales numbers from the past few years, this all seems like pretty good news. 2006 had the most sales in history of Class 8 trucks, but within two years those numbers were more than cut in half. All in all these new trucks will be much safer for the environment, and as we can see, companies are already preordering them willing to pay the surcharge so that they can boast about working with the technology first.

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) conducted a study in May that showed the very clear benefits of upgrading trucks to have longer trailers to allow them to carry heavier loads. Currently, the regulation for loads being hauled is at 80,000 pounds. By increasing this limit to 97,000 pounds, the study showed that there are many benefits that will not only help companies out, but also the environment, and our roads. Obviously the benefit for the companies is that they get to use a smaller amount of trucks each year. The UMTRI discovered that increasing the weight limit will decrease the amount of trucks on the road by 750,000 trucks per year.

The benefits of fewer trucks on the road are pretty obvious. Fewer trucks means less traffic, less fuel consumed, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and this will cost the taxpayers less in road repair. The estimated amount of fuel that will be saved comes close to 3 billion gallons per year. This will lead to a decrease of close to 32.6 million tons of greenhouse emissions. With these obvious benefits, you would think it is a no brainer. There are however a few problems with these plans.

With bigger and longer trailers, you have to take into account the safety issues that come along with these as well. With larger loads being hauled, there would be less traffic on the highways, but the heavier loads could wear out the roads just as quick. One way to avoid this would be to switch to tri-axle trailers to aid this problem.

http://www.umtri.umich.edu/news.php

http://fleetowner.com/trucking_regulations/bigger_better_0609/index.html

Chrome has been used for years to create eye pleasing, extra tough products that we use in our everyday life. From bathrooms to kitchens, you can find chrome plated faucets, dish racks, even entire sinks. But the best use of chrome as we all know is to add some much needed shine to our vehicles. Whether you are adding a chrome-backed mirror, a door handle, or a chrome exhaust pipe, you know your truck will get some attention when that chrome is polished. Everything from Mini Coopers to Freightliners can benefit from a little bit of shine that can be provided in a number of different areas by applying a chrome part here or there.

There has been some negative news somewhat recently about chrome due to the chemicals that are added to chrome to electroplate it. These chemicals can cause problems when they are improperly disposed of, but that is a thing of the past now that there is a new “chrome” making it’s way into the market. Known as nanocrystalline nickel-tungsten alloy, this compound will be just as strong and keep the shine that we all want on our trucks. Best of all, it has no byproducts that will harm the environment in the long run. This compound is currently being sold as chrome and being sold quite a bit in the automotive accessory industry.

It’s even becoming clear that drivers want more than just a chrome bumper or a chrome fender to accessorize their rides, Mercedes in Dubai has created a beast in the world of attention grabbing cars. The new Chrome Mercedes SLR McLaren (that’s not a typo) is becoming quite a hit with athletes in the UK. It’s no longer enough to stand out in your $500,000 Mercedes SLR McLaren, instead stars are forking over an extra $100,000 to get the chrome version of the car. If that’s any indication of where we are headed, I’m stocking up now.