As part of the interview, we plan to discuss pressing issues related to running a business with car tow trucks, find out the potential earnings and obstacles a newcomer faces in this field.
So, briefly tell us about the current state of your business, what your service does, and how the work of tow trucks is organized?
Dmytro: Thank you for the invitation! I am glad to take part in the conversation and tell you about our work in the field of car towing. Let me start with the basics. We have been providing emergency roadside assistance for over 9 years. At first, we worked only in Kharkiv and the region. Now our main focus is international transportation by tow trucks, delivery of cars by their own power, transportation of motorcycles and personal belongings on routes Ukraine-Europe, Europe-Ukraine, as well as within the country, covering major cities.
Let's start with a general idea of your towing service. Tell us how you became the owner of this service and how it has developed over time?
Dmytro: Of course! It all started when I myself faced the need to tow my own car after a sudden breakdown. I noticed that the towing services market lacked professionalism and reliability. This prompted me to create my own service focused on service quality and customer needs.
Having a fleet of several tow trucks, we started working within Kharkiv. Later, due to growing demand, we expanded our service area and increased the number of vehicles. Today, our service can quickly respond to orders throughout Ukraine. In addition, we accept requests for towing and transportation in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany.
Very interesting! What services do you offer to clients? And what types of vehicles do you usually work with?
Dmytro: We provide a wide range of car towing services. Our specialists can tow passenger cars, motorcycles, transport non-standard cargo and special equipment. Currently, a very popular service is delivering cars by their own power to Europe and back. After February 24, the demand for exporting cars has increased significantly, as there is a ban on crossing the border for men of conscription age. Many have moved their families to Europe, but encountered difficulties with transportation.
Oh, I see! So previously cars were coming from Europe, and now it's the opposite?
Most likely, demand has not yet stabilized, and there is no clear answer. We are engaged in exporting cars after accidents from European countries. This service is also very popular. Volunteers contact us to bring cars on a tow truck for the needs of the Armed Forces, volunteers, or social services. Some, on the contrary, return cars from Europe to Ukraine on a tow truck to sell them here.
And why is it not more profitable to sell a car in Germany or Poland? Why spend money on a tow truck?
First of all, for the same reason our citizens want to buy a European car, Europeans do not seek to buy cars with Ukrainian plates. Bad roads, maintenance, re-registration, opaque ownership history. It is more profitable to order a tow truck from Europe to Ukraine, return the car home, and quickly sell it here. The oversaturated car market of rich countries does not give a chance for profitable deals.
Interesting. Has customs clearance "died"? Not into cars now? Is there still demand for importing cars?
The question is complex and ambiguous. For almost a year after the start of the active phase of hostilities, people have been contacting us with requests to deliver cars from European ports. For example, a person ordered a car from the USA, it sailed for 3-4 months and is now waiting for its owner. In some cases, owners can negotiate with dealers, resell the car while it's still in transit, or find a compromise with carriers. But this is not always possible. Therefore, people from all over Ukraine contact us and order a tow truck from Europe for cars, motorcycles, special equipment, and other cargo.
How have prices for tow truck services changed within and outside the country?
The entire industry has gone through several stages. At first, no one understood the situation; owners were ready to pay any money to move their property, but there weren't enough tow trucks for everyone. Then self-employed drivers, entrepreneurs, and services ceased to exist due to danger, lack of drivers, fuel, and unclear conditions regarding shelling and safety. Now is the stabilization stage. Prices, of course, have increased. Fuel has become more expensive, drivers take risks, conditions and comfort have worsened. Nevertheless, we try to make logistics cheaper for the client. If you are looking for an inexpensive tow truck in Ukraine or abroad, contact us! The dispatcher accepts orders around the clock.
If you need an inexpensive, reliable, and professional contractor for delivering cars to Europe or in the opposite direction, we recommend contacting the company evakuator-ua.com
