We got blessed for new cars in this past year, picked up 11 new ones. Small center with only 80 PC's all together.
We just got 2 of the new P-1200 package cars in, in Dec06, that has the 8.1L (496 cu. inches) chevy big block in. The thing is awesome far as power and sucks far as fuel economy.
the P-1000's we got in have either a Ford 5.4L v8 gas, or the Mercedes 904 diesels in.
Personally, was suprise to see gas engines roll in this past year in the new package cars. But after asking my supervisor it made sense. 07' is a year where the new emissions for diesels get stricter. Price is supposed to be a couple thousand higher for the new technology in the diesels. Will be curious to see if we get any more of the gas in next year.
Far as the numbers on the bigger cars, From what i have seen this past year the numbers starting on with 14xxxx is either a P-1000 or a P-1200. we have both in the 14xxxx number series. I am not really sure that their is science involved with the numbering anymore, to be honest. The P-700's are all starting with the 6xxxxx. where is the logic there? Supervisor couldn't even give me a good answer on that one, when I asked.
Seems the 500's and the 800's are long being phased out. The predominate sized cars are the p-700, p-1000 and the p-1200. The oddball/specialty sized cars are the p-31, which we got 2 new ones this past year. (4X4 fords truck body) starting with 3xxxxx in the numbers. The p-47 is the Freightliner Sprinter, has the Mercedes drivetrain, and uses the Dodge OBDII ecm when connecting up to a diagnostic scanner. Go figure!!!, when trying to figure out the rational in that. I am still scratching my head on that one.
I think the next couple years will be interesting. I think you will start to see even more of the 1200's and 1000's roll in, with less 700's. Fuel prices will play a big part in that decision making. Less cars with bigger volume handling capabilities will be the norm.
Word I have been hearing is that a bigger volume car is on the horizon. 1500 or 1600 cubic foot will be a 2 person operation year round. Not just during peak.