(The following appeared on The Cunningham Report website on July 20, 2009.)
LONG BEACH, Calif. — With the economy still in turmoil, Union Pacific Railroad is attempting to offset declines in intermodal cargo through its involvement in two niche distribution programs – one that sends used cars throughout the country and another that speeds delivery of fresh produce from California and Washington to the East Coast.
ShipCarsNow is the Internet brand name of Insight Network Transportation – a UP subsidiary that was formed in 2006 to distribute products for Chrysler Corporation. Today, the company has expanded its operations to ship used vehicles from rental car companies and manufacturers to dealers from coast to coast.
Used cars are not the only relatively new commodity being moved by UP. Through a joint venture with a private distribution company called Railex, UP also is moving fresh produce from the West Coast to the East Coast with a guaranteed five-day delivery time.