NASHVILLE The U.S. Energy Dept. has predicted that gas prices this summer would peak at $4.15 a gallon and then drift down to $4 a gallon, probably remaining for the rest of the year. As both consumers and businesses struggle with the increasing burden of high fuel costs, the issue has become one of heated debate, particularly in the automotive warehouse distribution segment.
At the recent shareholder meeting of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., its President and CEO Richard Morgan, recommended that in order for each automotive warehouse distributor to survive in the face of escalating oil prices, it should consider having a fuel surcharge policy to fairly pass on the increased fuel costs at all levels of their distribution.
"The policy needs to be carefully thought out and tailored to meet the circumstances of the area serviced," Morgan said.
This hotly debated topic was the subject of two recent columns authored by aftermarketNews Publisher Jon Owens. Click here to read his most recent commentary on the subject.