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More on hot issues for 2008

Number of messages: 3

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Editor
Australia

Last week’s call for comments on the hot issues for 2008 has generated some interesting debate. Climate change, Chinese imports and tariffs seem to be the “biggies”, although some forum participants appear more intent on swaying our American audience ahead of the upcoming elections. Clearly though, we’ve got you thinking about the future of the industry and it would be great to hear some more thoughts – especially on what you’d like to see from the forklift manufacturers. As one of my colleagues puts it, let’s hear “where the new ‘forklift action’ is going to be in 2008”.

Posted 13 Dec 2007 05:56 PM

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JonG
United States

I think that the industry is heading in several directions here in the US.

Firstly the switch to ‘AC’ lifts, with the solid state electronics associated with them.

Secondly, the trend seems to be in warehousing (as well as OSHA driven) away from propane and towards electric vehicles.

Thirdly with advances in fuel cells and the cost of electricity, (Wal-Mart is using them now) it seems apparent that the motive power source for electric vehicles will become fuel cells, not overnight, but I’d predict in the next 10 years.

Posted 13 Dec 2007 10:09 PM

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batman
Pennsylvania, United States

I think you will see some major mergers or aquisitions between some major players in the forklift industry. Since Toyota slammed the door on the BT and Prime Mover electric trucks everyone has been scrambling to come up with replacement Class II vehicles. It will be interesting to see who makes a move this year to try and come up with a full line of "decent" Class II trucks.

Posted 14 Dec 2007 05:08 AM

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