The End of the Chip Shortage:

[TowForce]

The Good News and the Prediction Nobody Wants to Accept

 

Here we are in June 2022, and the chip crunch is still here, still causing so

many problems and still not showing any solid signs that it would go away.

 

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/the-end-of-the-chip-shortage-the-good-news-and-the-prediction-nobody-wants-to-accept-190396.html

 

 

[someotherplace]

Each time we shop for a new truck in the past few years it's just been "buy whatever we can find."  Most recently, that landed us an F450 with an MPL-NGS with a transmission mounted pump (most of our fleet are Vulcan 812's on the same chassis utilizing the traditional belt-driven pump), and now a pair of F450 4x4's, one with an 810 and one with an 812.  The 4x4's are absolutely not needed here and are actually a hindrance thanks to the large number of low-clearance parking garage accounts we have, so any driver that jumps into one of those trucks can't work many of our garage accounts.  Somewhere along the lines we got lucky and got one example of what we were looking for which was the regular F450 / Vulcan 812 unit we're used to getting.

 

We entertained RAM chassis for a moment as the local builder said they could get us one, but it would be stepping outside of the box as all of our other trucks are F450's.  Not saying I have a preference one way or another as they all seem to have their issues, but I feel if you can keep your fleet somewhat homogeneous, it's smart as your spare parts stash is easier, and your shop knows what to expect when one comes in the door for repairs.

 

Here in December 2022 not seeing a lot of positive movement in light duty chassis availability.. yet.

 

Richard

Edited December 1, 2022 by someotherplace