The impact of fuel costs on the feasibility of cooperation-based operations at auto transport enterprises

Abstract

In recent years, significant changes have taken place in Ukraine's automotive transportation sector. Alongside existing transport companies, a large number of relatively small transport and commercial enterprises have been established. As a result, since the mid-1990s, a regional structure for vehicle maintenance and repair has begun to form in Ukraine, based on the principles of concentration, specialization, and cooperation within the region. The transition to a regional infrastructure for vehicle maintenance and repair production allows, in many cases, the abandonment of comprehensive auto transport enterprises (ATEs), enabling more efficient utilization of existing production potential. This approach creates the necessary conditions to fully meet the needs of vehicle owners for maintenance and repair services. One of the most important factors in organizing cooperative vehicle maintenance and repair operations is the economically feasible distance for transporting vehicles and repair assets to auto-service enterprises or other businesses providing such services. This limitation effectively restricts the potential for cooperation in performing these tasks. However, in recent years, due to the global economic and energy crisis, fuel costs in Ukraine, as well as in most developed countries, have significantly increased. As a result, the recommendations found in scientific literature regarding the feasible distances for transporting vehicles and repair assets to auto-service enterprises are now being questioned and require further research under current conditions. A methodology for determining economically feasible distances for transporting vehicles to auto-service enterprises is presented. Based on the conducted research, the economically viable distances for vehicle maintenance and repair operations at auto-service enterprises in the current stage have been identified. The results take into account the current cost of fuel and lubricants at gas stations (GS) in Ukraine, as well as the hourly labor rates at auto-service enterprises. These findings can be used by companies when organizing cooperative vehicle maintenance and repair services at auto-service enterprises.