There is one vital element that construction companies, businesses and the self-employed contractor or handyman can not do without — hardworking trucks. Seeing a niche in the market, a team from Rayclan Chevrolet flew to Japan to visit some of the largest second-hand truck auctions in the world and very soon realised the potential of buying trucks this way and importing them to Bermuda.

Rayclan’s general manager of sales and marketing, Henry Adderley, explains that most construction companies in Japan purchase new trucks for projects. Once the project is complete, they proceed to sell these trucks at auctions.

As for the condition of the trucks being sold, with Japan’s modern infrastructure, vehicles travel for less distance at a restricted speed on excellent roads, which is why they are so appealing to the rest of the world.

According to one website, more than 30,000 vehicles sold at Japanese auctions are exported all over the world every month.

Mr. Adderley points out that the team found Nissan, Mazda and Isuzu trucks sold by auction to be in tip-top condition. These makes are imported in a wide range of models from flat bed trucks, dump trucks to closed-in vans and in various classes from intermediate to heavy class A, B and C.

“The trucks are all Japanese domestic vehicles so they are not sold outside of Japan,” he points out. “We also never buy trucks that predate the year 2000 and import between three and a dozen at a time. But we are limited to what we can buy at the auctions based on what is available and in what condition the trucks are in.”

He states that diesel engines will “run forever”, while the body is going to take the same amount of wear and tear as a new truck: “There is no advantage to buying new if you can get the same thing second hand at a good price.”

Once purchased, the trucks are shipped to Bermuda and on arrival receive a complete body work and paint job to “make them look as new as possible”. They also receive a full mechanical service to make sure everything is in good working order. Rayclan’s mechanical department is staffed with internationally-certified mechanics able to work on all ranges of vehicles, including the Japanese trucks.

“That’s what sets us aside from others. We bring in the necessary parts to support these vehicles and have a full truck garage that services the vehicles before they go out, and while they are on the road, which means customers get ongoing support from the company. It’s not just a matter of someone selling you a truck.”

With its excellent relationship with those in the industry in Japan, he adds, Rayclan gets a better selection and availability of parts.

As for price, Mr. Adderley reveals the company does not have a predetermined price for any of the imported trucks: “Prices are determined by what we can get at the auction, what price we paid and whether or not the trucks have any additional features.

“It also depends on how much work needs to be done before we sell it. If we get a really good condition vehicle that does not require a lot of work, the prices come down.”

Prices can range anywhere from $13,000 for a “no-frills light van”, to $65,000 for a HC Dump truck and models include the Nissan Vanette, Mazda Bongo and Isuzu Forward.

Truck auctions take place almost daily in Japan, so Rayclan employed the services of Japanese company, IBC Auto to monitor these auctions.

IBC Auto sends a salesman to attend auctions in search of trucks which meet Rayclan’s requirements, while back in Bermuda, Rayclan’s general manger also does a little online shopping from the comfort of his desk.