| It appears we are having a terrible situation with the | | | | much fuel, as trucking companies and drivers are only |
| diesel fuel prices in the US. It is affecting everything, | | | | buying enough to make it out of the state where |
| since everything we buy is shipped by train or truck | | | | they can fill up at lower prices. In NV and AZ where |
| and most of the times both. We have artificial fuel | | | | fuel does not get taxed as much and wholesale |
| price manipulation and large trucking companies | | | | prices are lower but prices only 5 cents less. Diesel |
| operating at less than 3% margins. We have seen | | | | fuel Sales and distributors are making insanely high |
| 100s of medium size trucking companies file | | | | margins, or at least a lot more than normal. Noticed |
| bankruptcy and 1000s of small companies file as well | | | | that where most of the people live, such as near |
| between 1999 and 2002 and we appear to be | | | | water (great lakes and Ocean) that is where the fuel |
| headed for another round here in 2005. This is | | | | is more expensive? This is causing consumers to be |
| causing problems in the used truck sales market. We | | | | damaged in that the cost of everything goes up. |
| have noticed this affect with used trucks on this | | | | In 2000 trucking companies all started raising prices |
| market it is affecting new truck sales right after | | | | 5%. And then another increase eight to ten months |
| several major mergers. There have been lay offs at | | | | ago. We have not seen a fair price for fuel in UT, |
| all large trucking company manufacturers. Employees | | | | MT, WY, CO either yet we should have. The railroad |
| from Volvo, Peterbuilt, Daimler Chrysler who have | | | | industry is fairing only a little better able to import |
| been laid off, some have hired back a few due to | | | | their own fuel cars to the locations they need to fill |
| the emissions rules and need for cleaner trucks and | | | | at and buy at a bulk price where it is cheaper. After |
| also trucks which are more efficient. The efficiency | | | | huge consolidations and soon to be more in the rail |
| saved at these fuel prices will nearly pay the | | | | industry with Canadian Rail Companies. We see |
| additional costs of the payments and truck | | | | problems here too. Especially recently when the |
| manufacturers intend to capitalize on that fact. | | | | Railroads were shut down due to freezing of |
| Fuel prices are a disaster in CA and there is a | | | | switchers and safety devices needed for operations. |
| mandatory diesel engine emissions statue for vehicles | | | | We think we maybe able to realize a great market in |
| over 14,500 GVW. The EPA laws are also causing | | | | these venues in the future. |
| underground tanks to be continually dug up | | | | When trucks and trains stop, America Stops too. |
| everywhere to protect the ground water, all these | | | | Most grocery stores and Major Retailers operate on |
| things combined are causing huge issues on top of | | | | a real time basis, meaning that Inventories of the |
| the already high diesel prices and insane government | | | | past and big warehouses are not needed to the |
| add on taxes. Oregon State has now decided to | | | | same degree as before. This is what the new |
| induce as well; any truck with no OR plates will be | | | | economy is bringing. It means lower prices to |
| charged extra tax for fuel. Oregon is trying to keep | | | | consumers due to inventories being less and less cost |
| road tax money due to a recent law passing to keep | | | | needed to store goods for any amount of time. It |
| registration fees low. Consumers believed they would | | | | also means foreign trade zones and areas where |
| save money by low registration, now it is simply | | | | there are no inventory taxes such as NV will not be |
| added to diesel fuel, which affects everything you | | | | as significant as before, but still needed to compete |
| buy and leads us into recession. This is a big tax on all | | | | in the fast paced World. Those foreign trade zones, |
| diesel sales of trucks. Washington State; same thing; | | | | which were decreed after many of the BRAC military |
| some highest prices in the Nation are now in the | | | | base closures have a one ups man ship on those |
| west. Even ID, AZ and NV are raising prices but | | | | other areas with warehousing incentives. Places such |
| keeping them just under WA, OR and CA. Many | | | | as Columbus OH and Mathers AFB in Sacramento CA. |
| truck stops in NV, and AZ even though just over the | | | | Of course there are over 400 of these foreign trade |
| CA border are keeping inline with just under a nickel | | | | zones in the US now and more than 100 more |
| per gallon less. Big saving for trucks with 200 gallons | | | | waiting with permits. Some of these old military |
| of fuel capacity. So now the truck stops in NV, AZ | | | | bases are now superfund sites such as Dobbins AFB |
| are crowded. And the ones in NM, TX, KS, OK insane | | | | out side of Atlanta. As America matures, we have |
| where fuel prices are a good 10 to 20 cents per | | | | learned allot from our past and we should be taking |
| each gallon cheaper. Truck stops in San Bernardino, | | | | these learned experiences with us as we deal with |
| LAs main distribution hub are busy, but are not selling | | | | any potential threat of economic melt down. |