"So, given the nature of Newberry FL, would it be profitable or a good idea to add a covered carport style bay for class 6 medium duty trucks, with the added expenses"
That’s a sharp idea — adding a covered, drive-through bay for medium-duty trucks (Class 6, e.g., delivery trucks, farm haulers, landscaping rigs) could set your shop apart in Newberry. Let’s weigh it.
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Market fit for Newberry, FL
Agricultural + construction presence: Many farms, horse operations, and contractors use medium-duty trucks (International CV, Ford F-650, Freightliner M2, etc.).
Fleet operators: Local businesses (delivery, landscaping, utilities, municipalities) need fast service and can’t always run into Gainesville.
Competition gap: Most quick lubes target passenger cars/light trucks only. Dealerships and diesel shops in Gainesville serve fleets, but that’s a drive and often slower turnaround.
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Costs of Adding a Truck Bay
Construction (carport style steel canopy, ~18–20’ clear height, 40’ deep, concrete pad): ~$50k–$100k, depending on specs.
Equipment upgrades:
High-capacity lifts (or pit) OR portable jacks = $20k–$40k.
Larger waste oil handling (bigger sump pumps, tanks) = +$10k.
Bigger compressor load (already factored in).
Permits/zoning: Need to confirm commercial zoning allows heavy-duty work (some areas separate “auto service” from “truck service”).
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Operating Impacts
Utilities: Minimal increase (compressor, lighting already factored in).
Labor: Might need one diesel tech or fleet mechanic → +$5k–$7k/month payroll.
Inventory: Larger oil volumes (diesel, DEF, filters) → +$2k–$5k stocked parts.
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Revenue Potential
Medium-duty PM service tickets: $250–$400 each (oil, filters, grease, DEF, inspection).
Frequency: Every 10k–20k miles (some fleets every 3–4 months).
Fleet contracts: Even 5–10 trucks on recurring PMs = $15k–$30k extra per year, per fleet.
With multiple fleets/farms, you could easily add $100k–$200k annual revenue once established.
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Pros
Differentiates your shop from cookie-cutter quick lubes.
Captures higher-margin fleet accounts.
Builds resilience against EV adoption (medium-duty EV penetration will lag far behind cars).
Can cross-sell tire/brake work.
Cons
Higher upfront build-out.
Zoning/permit check required.
Harder to staff diesel/MD truck techs.
Slower bay turnover than cars (1–2 hours vs. 20 mins).
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Bottom Line
For Newberry’s mix of farms, contractors, and fleets, adding one covered truck bay is likely profitable by Year 2–3, especially if you secure fleet contracts (city, county, or private).
If you’re aiming for a competitive edge + long-term growth, it’s a smart play. If you’re keeping startup lean, it might be better to build the carport pad now (cheap) and add the equipment later once revenue stabilizes.
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Would you like me to model an alternate financial projection that includes the truck bay (with its added costs + revenue stream), so you can see exactly how it shifts breakeven and profit over 3 years?
EV Market Context (Florida / Newberry area)
Impact on Quick Lube Revenues
Adjusted 3-Year Projection with EV Factor
Mitigation / Opportunity
So, yes: EVs nibble at the oil-change volume in your 3-year window, but the net revenue drop is only ~5% by Year 3 if you don’t adapt. If you do adapt (tires, filters, A/C, alignments), you can actually make more per ticket.
Market fit for Newberry, FL
Costs of Adding a Truck Bay
Pros
Cons
