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Originally Posted by oldpecan
Wal-Mart fellow Chris Soltzenmayer (sp?) also explains how Wal-Mart is inducing suppliers to use packaging that weighs less and is using logistics computers to lessen even further unused space inside trailers.
Wal-Mart claims these changes together make delivery 21% more efficient than it was just 3 years ago.
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What Walmart really means is it costs them 21% less. Long before their products are loaded onto domestic trailers they are shipped across the ocean in containers. THIS is where they are most concerned. I just thought I'd point this out in case anyone bought this as anything other than a PR spin. Walmart has no green cred. The HUGE amounts of extra shipping energy they burn fuelling their global logistics are more than covered by the labor savings they get through importing. They are not conserving energy, they are trying to save money by wasting a little less...
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldpecan
The segment closes with "Wal-Mart hopes to roll out their first hybrid tractor-trailer early [2009].
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So did this ever happen? Doesn't look like it:
"In partnership with truck and component manufacturers, we have built a number of prototype tractors, including hybrid assist, wheel-end hybrid assist, full propulsion hybrid, and natural gas, with the goal of learning from testing in a real-life environment to improve the technology.
Like many emerging technologies, these trucks may never enter operation or may not remain in operation long as they go through multiple iterations before being cleared for commercialization. We are already working on next generations."
Looks like more PR… especially since Walmart doesn't make trucks and they are wording it like they are going to "roll out" their first hybrids as of 2009, makes it sound to the un-educated public that they are deploying hybrid trucks already. Hmmm… it's 2013 and no hybrids yet!