Threat of Autonomous Trucking

by a searcher from Princeton University

5 months ago

I have been looking at a couple trucking companies and with every industry the question is will their be an innovation that will destroy the business I just bought.  You do not want to own the best buggy whip manufacturer.

Has anyone looked into autonomous driving and the threat to the trucking industry.  Many of these small trucking companies are basically temp agencies filling demand while managing the human element.  Autonomous trucking is a clear threat and while that may be many years in the future, we are buying these with 10 year debt.  You do not want to end up holding the bag on a fully paid off business.

1 like
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16 comments

intermediary from Spalding University

Thanks ^Searchfunder member‌ for including me in the thread. It is my experience and outlook that autonomous trucking is not an immediate threat. The biggest threat to trucking in today's environment is the liability insurance and the litigious society we have created. This combined with reduced freight volumes and increased cost of equipment has reduced margins dramatically. ^Searchfunder member‌ Those leasing into FedEx have experienced noticeable reduced profitability and I don't see this correcting in the next 1-2 years. General Frieght trucking isn't a profitable endeavor. Niche would be the market I'd pursue if serious about the industry.

5 months ago | like reply | 0 likes

searcher

Good to see some interest around this topic

5 months ago | like reply | 0 likes

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