656,805 autos, trucks and other vehicles moved in FY 2008

Statistics compiled by JAXPORT show that port tenants and customers handled a record 656,805 vehicles in fiscal year 2008, which ended Sept. 30, 2008. JAXPORT broke its own previous record of 615,030 vehicles handled in fiscal year 2002.

“We are very pleased with the growth of our roll-on/roll-off cargo business,” said Executive Director Rick Ferrin. “Our success is due to our outstanding auto processors and manufacturers, ocean carriers, experienced labor force and the exceptional facilities available here in Jacksonville.”

Both new and used passenger cars and trucks pass through JAXPORT. Construction equipment, semi-trucks and other heavy machinery are also included in the count. These vehicles include imports and exports, as well as domestic-made and distributed cars and trucks brought here to be “processed” by one of JAXPORT’s automobile processors: AMPORTS, WWL Vehicle Services and Southeast Toyota Distributors, Inc. Auto models handled at JAXPORT include those made by Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Ford, Chrysler and GM.

Processing involves cleaning, inspecting and adding equipment to the vehicles such as luggage racks, sound systems, sunroofs, air conditioning, specialty wheels and leather interiors. The processors prepare U.S.-made vehicles for export to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Puerto Rico, and import vehicles from countries such as Korea, Japan, Mexico and Germany to be delivered to dealerships throughout the Southeastern United States.

JAXPORT is the nation’s 2nd busiest vehicle handling port, behind the Port of New York/New Jersey. The vehicle import/export business through Jacksonville’s port supports thousands of direct area jobs and contributes to the port’s nearly $3 billion annual economic impact on Northeast Florida.