Amazon.com is launching a brand new fleet of larger, boxier vehicles like these favoured by rival package deal carriers United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx, because it fights to repair widespread pandemic-fuelled supply delays that despatched clients into the arms of rivals like Walmart.
The world’s largest on-line retailer ordered greater than 2,200 heavy-duty Utilimaster “walk-in” supply vehicles from Shyft Group, a Michigan-based specialty automobile firm, an Amazon spokeswoman instructed Reuters. The corporate declined to say how most of the automobiles have been despatched to Amazon supply contractors, or the place they’d be deployed.
Amazon is beneath strain to make good on one- and two-day deliveries promised to clients who subscribe to its $119 annual Prime service. Orders for meals, computer systems, toys and train tools surged after states issued stay-at-home orders to battle the pandemic, overwhelming Amazon’s community and including days and even weeks to supply occasions.
Drivers assigned to the brand new vehicles confirmed Reuters coaching supplies from Wisconsin-based security and compliance consultancy J.J. Keller & Associates, which confirmed that Amazon is a shopper. The Shyft Group didn’t reply to requests for remark.
One of many new Amazon vehicles was seen not too long ago working in Chicago, in accordance with a Reuters reporter. Coaching is beneath approach within the Los Angeles space, drivers mentioned.
Whereas Amazon bought the automobiles final 12 months, the branded vehicles have been parked for months in areas round the US, together with in Amazon heaps in New Jersey and California dairy nation. The corporate declined to state why it waited so lengthy to roll out the brand new fleet.
Drivers aware of the brand new automobiles mentioned they will carry extra and larger packages than the Mercedes-Benz, Fiat Chrysler, and Ford Motor vans Amazon contractors dispatch across the nation.
Two drivers, who declined to be named for worry of retaliation, opted to not change to the brand new automobiles as a result of they’re heavier and harder to manoeuver than Amazon vans.
Amazon got here beneath fireplace final 12 months after ProPublica, BuzzFeed, and different information shops reported on Amazon’s coaching practices and van accidents that resulted in accidents and deaths. Amazon mentioned in an e-mail Friday that van drivers should bear coaching that features two days of classroom instruction and two days of ride-alongs with skilled drivers.
Amazon suspended its upstart Amazon Delivery programme for non-Amazon packages in June to prioritise deliveries to its personal clients.
Amazon declined to say whether or not the brand new fleet can be used to restart that service, which competes instantly with UPS and FedEx.
© Thomson Reuters 2020
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