More Website Upgrades!

Welcome to the new year, everyone.  While we've been at home on vacation visiting family or just relaxing from a busy 2011, we have also been busy adding new updates to CommercialTruckTrader.com and EquipmentTraderOnline.com.  There's a slew of new additions to the site with a few goals in mind.  I'll run through each briefly!

Social Sharing
The most obvious change is the tab that now displays on the left side of the page.  If your resolution is above 1024, you'll see it hover just outside the content area.  If it is 1024 or smaller, then it'll hover inside.  You can test this by shrinking and expanding your browser.

This tab allows you to share on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+, certain pages of the site.  It appears on our homepage, search results, ad detail, and dealer galleries.  This way if you find something you really like, you can share it with a group of people very easily!

OEM Sponsored Pages.
We have been reaching out to various manufacturers to help provide additional content to our search pages.  This helps present our users with some information about products that they may or may not know, allows a manufacturer to provide what the information is, and gives the search engines some more content to chew on

Check out our first two here:  Isuzu and Doosan! 

Featured Dealer Inventory.
One thing we've continually heard from our dealer community is a desire to create new spaces to feature their inventory on our site.  On the consumer side, it can difficult to identify a dealer that has what you're looking for, or @ least something similar to what you're trying to find.

To attempt to address this, we've created a new area, called Featured Dealer Inventory.   This is a space in our search results which shows a specific dealership's inventory which is relevant to what you're searching for.  We currently limit this to Category or Make and Model.

Here's an example with some demo data.  The Featured Dealer Inventory will always show in the 6th position of the page, or if there are fewer than 6 ads, after the last.

Upgraded Keyword Searching.
This, too, has long been a concern with our buyer and seller communities.  We've been hearing you and sympathizing that our keyword capabilities have left something to be desired.  To upgrade our abilities, we first had to integrate new technology, something call Solr, which significantly expanded what abilities were available to us.

Last summer we added Category to our keyword searching and now we've also added "options".  Options are things like air conditioning, leather seats, alloy wheels, cruise control, etc.  They're check boxes available when creating a new listing in the Place An Ad process or inside the Inventory Management Tool.

So go ahead, type "air conditioning" into the keyword field and see all the trucks that have it!

We're working on adding all of the other specification pieces to our keyword searching, too.  Expect it in the next couple months.

Upgraded Feedback in Search.
As we said back in May of '11 - we need your feedback!  To make it easier, we've upgraded the old "mailto" link in our search results to a modal form.  This grabs some details about the user session so we can better understand the context of the feedback we receive.

Remember to send us your thoughts - whether they are "good" or "bad".  In my book, all feedback is good feedback.

Interstitial Search Banners.  BETA!
What do I mean by this?  So you know when you're looking for plane tickets on a travel site and after you enter your travels dates and places, hit enter, and see a page with a big advertisement on it?  That's what I mean.  Sort of.

We're testing out the effectiveness of adding these to the site.  These will feature certain dealers who we're selecting as part of a beta program.  The advertisements will take the user, should they click on it, to that dealer's gallery on our site.  These are targeted to a geographical area, that way folks in Phoenix don't see advertisements for people in Chicago.

IMT Mobile.
This is big deal for anyone who manages inventory on our sites.  For a couple decades now, the best path to getting photos on the website for a truck or piece of equipment was to take the photos with some device in the lot, then take that device to a computer, log in, and upload.  This included note taking, stickies, and other things to make sure the right photos went with the right thing.

Now you can do this from your iPhone, Droid, or other iOS and Android powered device.  Let me say this again - you can now do this directly from your phone!  The product is new and we're anxiously gathering feedback so we can polish it up.  In fact, an update is days away that will add more photo functionality!

Download IMT Mobile from the Apple App Store, or from the Android Market.

A new tab in the web-based version of the IMT will be appearing soon with an instructional video included.

Calling all CTT Fans!

We have so many new plans and great ideas rolling around here at the home office of CommercialTruckTrader.com and we would love to get some of our customers feedback of what we have been doing.  As part of our preparations, we are scanning our communities and followers to determine and understand why we are a part of your life… Whether you just want some awesome information on the trucking industry, you are trying to buy or sell a vehicle -  or if we are  where you browse while you should be working ;)  

We would appreciate it if you could take the time to answer a few questions, should not take more than 5 minutes or so.  Your responses will help us to grow and better serve you.  As a reward, you will have a chance to win a $100 Amazon.com gift card. Thanks everyone!

Meet One of Our Featured Dealers - Pro-Tech

CommercialTruckTrader.com has many dealers who our team and customers have come to know over the years... In honor of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we would like to feature some of our dealers over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for a dealer that may be in your area... Tell them we sent you!!

 

Pro-Tech offers a robust product line of containment and multi-use plows, blowers, brooms and blades to help its customers address multiple surface conditions and applications with confidence. Through quality, price and availability, Pro-Tech delivers proven value with durable, competitively priced products that are there when customers need them.

Quality

Pro- Tech’s values are trust, respect and quality based on integrity.  Quality is a measurement of our values translated through our word and our product. Our quality systems measure our performance with inspection processes and is maintained by a series of checks and balances, and is reinforced with training.

Availability

We believe customer satisfaction comes when the customer knows exactly what they are getting, when they are getting it and what it will cost. Our commitment to availability means that we build our inventory levels up during the winter season so we’ll have product to ship when an order is placed.  We’ll call you when your order is leaving the lot and our trucking partners will call you to confirm delivery times.

Price

Quality and availability don’t mean a whole lot if your product is priced out of reach for the majority of customers. At Pro-Tech, we feel we have the very best combination of Quality, Availability and Price. Our top quality products - with the Pro-Tech name, experience, warranty and integrity behind them – are priced right where the competition is, if not lower.

Products

Pro-Tech industrial snow & ice removal products are vital tools for your operations. From containment and multi-use plows to blowers, brooms and blades – Pro-Tech has a wide range of products, models and sizes to give snow & ice management professionals the ability to address multiple surface conditions and applications with confidence.

Pro-Tech Manufacturing & Distribution

711 West Avenue

Rochester, New York 14611

888-787-4766

sales@protechcorp.com

www.protechcorp.com

www.facebook.com/Protechcorp

http://www.youtube.com/user/ProTechMFg

Happy Holidays from Marketing

We want to take the time to wish all of you cheer and joy as the 2011 holiday season approaches. It is a time of sharing and caring, and also to think about what 2012 may bring us.

We have so many new products and initiatives for 2012 we want to work on, and all of our teams are excited to get started! As 2011 comes to a close, we are also thankful for our dealers, partners, and wonderful team.

Here's to a GREAT holiday season!

Nadene E,
Marketing Manager
Trader Industrial Brands

Meet One of Our Featured Dealers - Lou Fusz Ford

CommercialTruckTrader.com has many dealers who our team and customers have come to know over the years... In honor of Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we would like to feature some of our dealers over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for a dealer that may be in your area... Tell them Commercial Truck Trader sent you!!









Welcome to Lou Fusz Ford in beautiful Chesterfield Valley, which is 30 minutes West of St. Louis!

We have assembled a staff of Professional Salespeople to assist with your Commercial Vehicle needs. And, yes we do TRUCKS!

Our staff leader is Andy Eldridge, followed by the graceful Howard Gaylor, and then Mike Benz. These three Sales Professionals are armed with the inventory, the knowledge, and experience to help you with the many Ford Vehicles to put to work for your business, all the way up to the Ford F60/750 lines!

Combined we have over 60 years of experience working with end users just like yourself. We have plenty of work-ready inventory just waiting on you!

So, why contact anyone else who just wants to sell a truck, and it MIGHT be the right one. But, who is sure? You pay dearly for their lack of knowledge.

SO, when you call make sure you ask for the COMMERCIAL SALES TEAM.
Call Lou Fusz Ford at 866-477-7514 for all your Commercial Truck and Upfitting Needs.

All of the Lou Fusz Ford Commercial Truck Inventory can be seen on CommercialTruckTrader.com.

UTA Annual Meeting: Fun in the Sun

 

We at Commercial Truck Trader are really excited to tell you all about our experiences at the Used Truck Association Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ!  This meeting took place last week and our team was there from Wednesday through Saturday.  Our team members from Norfolk, VA were excited about the weather Arizona was expecting… Coming from weather being in the 40’s in Virginia, to sunny and 80’s was what we needed!

 

The resort was absolutely beautiful and with the sky being so clear, we could see for miles.  Scottsdale was clean and the people were friendly.  UTA changes their location for the meeting every year so this area was completely new for all attendees.

                  The meeting started off with an evening reception that was outside  in the courtyard of the Talking Stick Resort.  Although many were tired from their long journey, it was great to meet some of the dealers we work with on a daily basis.

Kicking things off the next morning was a meeting about the state of the Used Truck Association, a recap of accomplishments from 2011 and their plans for the future; both near and far.  This was a very informative session and all attendees seemed to enjoy it.  Hearing from such a great organization within our industry was very motivational!

Groups split up for team building activities which included golf and water sports; and, although all of the members came back looking tired, they were ready for the Vendor Expo that started shortly after.  Below is a picture of our booth prior to the attendees entering the expo area - I like to refer to this picture as the calm before the storm!

All in all, the Used Truck Association Annual Meeting was fun and informative and was an experience for everyone who attended. Here are some perspectives from a few of my fellow team members.
 

"Thoroughly enjoyed the break out sessions at the UTA convention especially the NTEA presentation. UTA predicting a growth stage for the next four years and the industry is recommending to begin hiring and investing for these growth stages. Good news! The exception is businesses and dealers linked to municipalities and state and local government agencies. Everyone at the UTA meeting was upbeat and looking forward to the coming years. We at www.CommercialTruckTrader.com look forward to our continued relationship with the UTA and their members."

                                                   ~ Roger Sanford, VP Industrial Field Sales

"The UTA convention this year was a terrific learning experience. Now that Social Media has taken a front seat in dealer's marketing strategies, they are reaching out to my team for advice, instruction, and tactics.  All dealers have the same goal: to reach more potential customers.  Commercial Truck Trader has always been a terrific venue to do just that, and as we move forward with promoting our own brands, we're bringing the dealer with us.  One dealer I spoke with during the opening reception told me: "I got on Facebook just to see pictures of my grand kids.  When I see my customer's names come up as a suggestion, I friend them too. Now, we talk about each others grand kids together."  I can't think of a better way to forge a personal connection with a customer!"
                                                   ~ Nadene Evans, Marketing Manager

"This year's Used Truck Association's annual convention in Scottsdale, AZ was my favorite so far. As a matter of fact, it was the best industry show that I have attended. There were a couple of reasons for that, namely the strong bond that we have with the UTA, and the overwhelming friendliness of the members. The UTA's members are smart business people, and I learn a great deal about the industry and trends every time I meet with them.  The "State of the Association" and "UTA Website Update" meetings were packed full of really good, useful information. The "Vendor Expo" was phenomenal. I can't recall having that many great, insightful conversations at any other industry event.  I can't wait until next year's show in New Orleans!" 
                                                  ~ Charles Bowles, Sales Development Manager

"I had such great time at the 12th Annual UTA Convention in Phoenix.  Sheri Aaberg and the UTA Team did an amazing job.  The balance between business and fun was spot on!  The Dealer Group session with the manufacturers was very open and spirited (always good).  The River Float was entertaining (Ricky Bobby:  Stay away from those wild mustangs).  The workshops were educational and made most think a little differently about the data that is available to us.  Tom Flick (www.TomFlick.com/UTA) was very inspirational (Get your hands dirty and show your Team the way).  Most importantly, the Awards Dinner recognizing the Member/Vendor of the year and the Jerome Nerman Family Foundation scholarship winners made the entire room proud to be a part of UTA.  I cannot wait until next year" 
                                               ~ Brian Dawson, Regional Manager

Hope to see everyone next year, including those who didn't have the opportunity to attend this year!
 
~ Cassandra D.

Production Begins of The Reach, Revolutionary New Walk-In Van Powered by Isuzu

Source: http://www.ctsblog.net/2011/10/production-begins-of-reach.html

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., distributor of America’s best-selling low-cab-forward trucks, and Utilimaster Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialty chassis and vehicles, have announced that production began today of its revolutionary, all-new Reach commercial walk-in van at Utilimaster’s assembly facility in Wakarusa, Indiana.

The Reach, with a body designed by Utilimaster atop a rugged Isuzu NPR chassis and powered by Isuzu’s legendary 3.0-liter diesel engine, achieves 35 percent better fuel economy than a traditional commercial van while offering the functionality of a custom-built work truck along with the styling and ergonomics of a cargo van. The Reach offers best-in-class mileage and meets the latest EPA emissions standards, yet still provides true commercial truck capability and delivers a dramatically lower cost of ownership than traditional walk-in vans.

Units will begin arriving at Isuzu’s network of over 285 dealers nationwide in early November.

“We’re thrilled that production of the Reach has begun and that fleet and vocational buyers will soon be able to enjoy the dramatically low cost of ownership this vehicle delivers,” said Shaun Skinner, executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “The Reach truly lives up to its name—it reaches a new standard in low cost of ownership that no other commercial van can match.”