Fuel Surcharges and Networks

[Frank EU]

Okay, it is agreed that the current prices at the pump are rediculous.
This is a global situation and there is not much we (consumers) can do about it -other than go walking (thnx).

However......Asian and European car makers are smarter than the US car makers.
Do not misunderstand me.... I love your great nation ..... but let's face it...the Miles per Gallon (consumption ratio of typical US build cars) is way off.

Our US business started out using European vehicels.....to reduce the ever increasing feul expenses.
We have been using MINI's (yes!), more specifically, Mini Cooper S.
They do 35 @ Hwy, 27 City and 30 Combi...MPG! 6 gear, manual

In Holland we use (amongst others) Ford Focus, 5 door (station wagon) 2.0 TurboDiesel (a 103KW/140HP Engine), 5 gear manual.
They consume 1 liter per 20 Kilometer. Oh....and 1 Liter Diesel over here is 1,51 Euro @ the pump.

Do the math.....to find out that it is time to seek yourself a fine Asian or European build vehicle.
I honestly love the American-build vehicles.....but the MPG drive me crazy, it is NOT good for OUR business.

Why do I mention the two modells above? Simply because they are available in your country too. So it makes it easy for you to do a search.
If you're doing a repair only, mobile only, service ..... you could also consider buying a Ford Fiesta (another European Ford modell available in the US).
What? Too small? Come on! It is great fun and BIG enough to do the job.

Indeed, smaller is sometimes more, in the situation above, with today's gaz prices, it is much more.
More fun, more profit.

[DryStar]

Okay, it is agreed that the current prices at the pump are rediculous.
This is a global situation and there is not much we (consumers) can do about it -other than go walking (thnx).

However......Asian and European car makers are smarter than the US car makers.
Do not misunderstand me.... I love your great nation ..... but let's face it...the Miles per Gallon (consumption ratio of typical US build cars) is way off.

Our US business started out using European vehicels.....to reduce the ever increasing feul expenses.
We have been using MINI's (yes!), more specifically, Mini Cooper S.
They do 35 @ Hwy, 27 City and 30 Combi...MPG! 6 gear, manual

In Holland we use (amongst others) Ford Focus, 5 door (station wagon) 2.0 TurboDiesel (a 103KW/140HP Engine), 5 gear manual.
They consume 1 liter per 20 Kilometer. Oh....and 1 Liter Diesel over here is 1,51 Euro @ the pump.

Do the math.....to find out that it is time to seek yourself a fine Asian or European build vehicle.


Unfortunately, our Emission Standards are different from yours in the UK. That's why our vehicles provide a lower MPG then yours. With Obama pushing "Green" not sure that will change anytime soon. Anyway...your right, buy the best vehicle for your business regardless where it is being built for best mileage. Government doesn't care what you are driving...just be sure to keep good mileage records to claim it on taxes.
I honestly love the American-build vehicles.....but the MPG drive me crazy, it is NOT good for OUR business.

Why do I mention the two modells above? Simply because they are available in your country too. So it makes it easy for you to do a search.
If you're doing a repair only, mobile only, service ..... you could also consider buying a Ford Fiesta (another European Ford modell available in the US).
What? Too small? Come on! It is great fun and BIG enough to do the job.

Indeed, smaller is sometimes more, in the situation above, with today's gaz prices, it is much more.
More fun, more profit.

[DryStar]

Unfortunately, our Emission Standards are different from yours in the UK. That's why our vehicles provide a lower MPG then yours. With Obama pushing "Green" not sure that will change anytime soon. Anyway...your right, buy the best vehicle for your business regardless where it is being built for best mileage. Government doesn't care what you are driving...just be sure to keep good mileage records to claim it on taxes.

[glassdoctor]

There's nothing wrong with cars here.. it's just that the market isn't dominated by small efficient vehicles, because not many people want them. Higher fuel cost is changing that somewhat. Still, we do have plenty of small efficient vehicles that can 40 miles per gallon hig hway. I'm looking at the new ford focus and mazda 3, both which can get 40 miles per gallon on gas. a buddy of mine has a jetta that can get 50 miles per gallon, but then diesel quite a bit more than gas at times .

My work vehicle gets between 25 and 30. I also have a full size suv t hat can get 20 on the open road, 12-14 is only when pulling a boat.

[Frank EU]

There's nothing wrong with cars here.. it's just that the market isn't dominated by small efficient vehicles, because not many people want them. Higher fuel cost is changing that somewhat. Still, we do have plenty of small efficient vehicles that can 40 miles per gallon hig hway. I'm looking at the new ford focus and mazda 3, both which can get 40 miles per gallon on gas. a buddy of mine has a jetta that can get 50 miles per gallon, but then diesel quite a bit more than gas at times .

My work vehicle gets between 25 and 30. I also have a full size suv t hat can get 20 on the open road, 12-14 is only when pulling a boat.

Mazda-3 series and Ford Focus are fine. Go Diesel if you can.

Even my personal car (Volvo V70 -Automatic) is a Diesel.

Drystar....
Unfortunately, our Emission Standards are different from yours in the UK.

Even with a low performance regarding Emission Standards, the US build vehicles can do so much better.
Again: I love your vehicles such as the Ford F350, Dodge etc.....it is just that you need to bring a trailer with money when you drive between gaz stations.

Oh, and I am NOT in the UK
We, continentals, drive on the good side of the road, like you guys do.
I am located near Amsterdam (just 25 mins away), in the Netherlands (aka ''Holland'').

[screenman]

You lot only drive on that side because some 5 foot tall thug was left handed.

[chip1]

As its already been mentioned average gas price in the US is $3.75 a gallon = £2.53 = £10+ a gallon we in the uk are the ones getting ripped off lol!

Totally agree 100% with frank eu about low mpg of us vehicles. With a German vw etc the mpg could be doubled no problem.

[Glasseye]

The rising costs of fuel will become an increasing factor you will have to consider on future business planning. The impact on your overheads will be easy to calculate and to control. The impact on your customers will be harder to foresee. High fuel prices in the UK have reached a point where motorists think carefully about how they use their cars, with the aims of achieving better mpg. and less fuel usage, high in their priorities. The overall effect on the glass business (repair and replacement)has been bad.