August 27, 2019

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Editor’s Analysis & Top Industry News



Unprecedented Change

We all see it, we all feel it: unprecedented change is all around us, and the fleet industry is not immune. In this week’s videos, Dan Belknap from Wheels speaks to keeping up on The Best Mobility Options for Different Situations, and Lukas Neckermann talks about the experimenting fleets will be doing in this age of innovation.

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VIDEO: The Best Mobility Options for Different Situations

If you’re looking into mobility solutions for your fleet, you should keep in mind that there are a variety of different options to fit different situations.

VIDEO: Video Telematics


 How Video Telematics Can Improve Your Fleet’s Safety
 

The power behind video telematics is that it gives you the entire story as to what happens behind the steering wheel, and that can make your fleet a whole lot safer.


VIDEO: Unprecedented Change

 Changing It Up: Fleet in an Age of Innovation
 

We are in an unprecedented age of change and innovation, and the fleet industry – like so many other industries – will be doing a lot of experimenting in the next few years.


The Fleet Spot



AFLA 2019 Mobility Panel

Industry Leaders Unpacking the Complex Transformation of Fleet Management to Mobility Solutions

As the world around us becomes increasingly connected and we continuously explore new technologies, this session will leave you better informed and equipped to move your business into the future.

Join us as we ask our panel of subject matter experts key questions to better understand the impact that the mobility wave is having on the automotive and fleet industry today and in the future.

Moderator: Mary Sticha
Panelists: Brendan Keegan, John Korte and Ahsan Rahim

Register now!

Avoiding Negligent Entrustment: Is Unsafe Driving Putting Your Fleet At Risk?

Whether a business has a fleet of trucks or a few salespeople on the road, Negligent Entrustment poses a multi-million dollar threat.

Many companies do not realize they have an important duty of care to do all they can to ensure they put only safe drivers on the roads. If they fail to do so they could face costly lawsuits as a result of an accident.

Download a free whitepaper from SuperVision to learn more about avoiding negligent entrustment lawsuits.

Bridging the Gap Towards Safety for Your Fleet

Fleet professionals know that safety is the most important issue they are facing today.

With an average of 20% of fleet drivers having a crash this year – each costing upwards of $70,000 – developing a ‘Culture of Safety’ in a fleet department often includes MVRs, Telematics, Online Driver Training and Additional Training for Offending Drivers.

Bridge the gap in your driver training programs: click here for a free consultation from Frontline Driver Training to see how easy it is to implement their ‘Success on the Road’ driver training to your existing programs.

How to Get the Most Out of a Fleet Trade Show

Trade shows are often so jam-packed with events and information, they can be a dizzying experience, and it’s a certainty that you’re going to miss most of the content.

But there are things you can do to be sure you get the most out of them that’s humanly possible, and it starts with preparation before you go.

If it isn’t already, this article – “18 Helpful Tips for Getting the Most Out of an Industry Conference” – should be a classic. It’s a handy check list for even the most seasoned trade show attendee. Here’s just a sample:

“Review the agenda. Set a goal for what you’d like to learn at the conference, and use the agenda to devise a plan specifically tailored to that goal. Make sure to attend conference-wide events like keynote addresses…When it comes to smaller sessions, consider both the speaker and the subject matter. Highly tactical sessions are generally useful to attend regardless of who leads them. However, sessions less directly related to your profession can be valuable as well if they’re led by an industry figure you’re angling to meet.

Read the article at Hubspot.com.

Truly Continuous Fleet Monitoring


By Shannon McNamara

A continuous fleet monitoring solution can have various meanings across different providers, and across the nation. In general, fleet monitoring carries the definition of continuous driver license monitoring for commercial fleets.

However, the truth is the capabilities of fleet driver monitoring from provider to provider can vary, and if you are not paying attention, these differences can put your organization at risk.

Consider the following when determining a fleet monitoring solution, especially when your fleet drivers are operating across the United States and Canada.

READ MORE

 

Fleet Spectator


Four leading sponsors, 12 different certifications

By Kevin J Fisher, MBA, CAFM, CTP, Senior Consultant, Mercury Associates

This question comes up often, particularly with more-tenured fleet professionals and frequently with the constant budget pressures in many of today’s organizations, both in the private and public sectors. Today, training is available in the form of webinars, online training modules and testing, live classroom sessions at various industry association conferences, local colleges and universities.

In my experience, an investment in fleet management training and certifications pays dividends in the long run for both the organization and the employee. These dividends come in the form of more engaged and motivated employees, who are better equipped to deal with the constant pace of change and innovation in the marketplace.

READ MORE

 

Work Truck Forum


By Todd Mouw, President, ROUSH CleanTec

According to a University of California Riverside study, diesel-fueled medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are the number one source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in almost every single metropolitan region in the U.S.

NOx is so harmful to human health and the environment that the federal government requires it to be regulated. Think about it this way: every time drivers wait outside a diesel vehicle, they are exposed to soot and NOx.

A key component of reducing a fleet’s emissions and carbon footprint, without losing sight of the bottom line, is propane autogas. Current propane technology enables commercial fleets to order the number of commercial vehicles needed, whether that’s one, a dozen or 100.

READ MORE


Fleet Trends & Issues



Latest Round of Chinese Tariffs Sound Alarm Bells For Automakers

The Detroit New

The latest round of retaliatory tariffs will seriously hit cars exported to China from the United States.

Taking into account existing tariffs on autos, total duties charged on U.S.-built cars would be as high as 50%.

Ford Motor Co. and Tesla Inc. likely would feel the biggest impact of all the U.S.-based carmakers.

“Could we make vehicles in the U.S. without Chinese imports? Yes,” Kristin Dziczek, vice president of the Center for Automotive Research said. “Can U.S.-based automakers survive without having access to the largest market in the world? No. We can’t wall ourselves off from any interaction with the Chinese auto market.”

Read the article at The Detroit News.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator Will Have A Smartphone Key Option

MSN

Lincoln’s new Phone As A Key technology permits owners to lock and unlock, and start and drive the vehicle without a traditional key.

Compatible with Android devices and iOS versions 9.0 and higher, the system operates with Bluetooth to provide a connection in situations when there is no Wi-Fi or cell network available.

Phone as a Key is a function of an app called The Lincoln Way.

Read the article at MSN.

Mercedes-Benz’s Electric Delivery Van Will Be Available Early Next Year

The Detroit Bureau

Mercedes-Benz will begin selling an all-electric van early in 2020.

The EQV, offers comfortable handling, dynamic electro-aesthetics, intuitive operation and generous space – and all locally emissions-free.

The new EQV will have a range of 405 kilometers or about 240 miles and the rapid charging of the high-voltage battery from 10 to 80% in less than an hour.

The Mercedes-Benz EQV also offers more comfort in the interior and unparalleled flexibility. Customers can also choose between two different wheelbases, according to Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Read the article at The Detroit Bureau.

Some of the Best Vehicles for Your Teenage Drivers

USA Today

Some teen students will be carpooled or take public transportation while many image-conscious young adults will be pulling up alone in a fresh set of wheels, courtesy of their parents.

Experts say safety, reliability and cost override all the sleek design and cool tech teens would want.

“The way that we think about it is, if the teen is excited about the car, it’s probably the wrong car,” said Jamie Page Deaton, executive editor of U.S. News, which just released its annual list, aptly titled the Best New and Used Cars for Teens.

Read the article at USA Today.

The Climate Crisis


The Guardian

Automakers pushing back against Donald Trump’s rollbacks to mileage standards want to avoid drawn-out court battles and be seen as on the right side of the climate crisis.

Under an agreement last month, four companies pledged to reach an average fuel economy for new cars and trucks of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2026

“If you want to maintain a positive branding reputation with the future generations, do you want to be siding with the person that most of us think is the biggest climate denier in the world, President Trump?” Jeff Alson, previous senior transportation and air quality adviser in the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Read the article at The Guardian.

 

Safety & Risk


By Tony Vinciguerra, Chief Operating Officer at Driving Dynamics

Despite 77 percent of fleets using telematics, most are not taking full advantage of the benefits offered by these systems.

Since the technology is embedded in the vehicle, the system provides fleet managers real-time information which can be used to improve more than just vehicle efficiencies and lower fuel costs. A somewhat known, but not yet fully understood area for this technology, is that it can be used to support companies’ safety initiatives. The telematics devices actually allow fleet managers to analyze drivers’ performances more accurately than ever before.

However, according to a 2018 survey, only 43 percent of fleet companies use telematics systems to measure performance. That means more than half of corporations are missing out on an opportunity to further elevate their fleets’ safety.

READ MORE

 

Speeding and Crashes


International Fleet World

Speeding has been identified as the riskiest kind of aggressive driving as well as a strong predictor of crashes, according to new telematics-based research.

Data from 28 million trips was examinded for possible links between four bad driving behaviors – speeding, hard braking, hard acceleration and hard cornering – and the likelihood of crashes.

Read the article at International Fleet World.





Fleet Management Resources

 

ACERTUS
Offering a nationwide vehicle delivery and relocation service; serving the corporate and commercial fleet industry.

eDriving
eDriving partners with its clients to engage with drivers and their managers to create a culture that supports lasting behavioral change to reduce collisions, injuries, license violations as well as a fleet’s total cost of ownership.

SuperVision
SuperVision is a fleet driver management solution for MVR & license monitoring, fleet management, fleet safety oversight and driver performance and retention.

The CEI Group Inc.
CEI is North America’s largest provider of fully integrated fleet accident management, driver safety and risk management services.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location, or fleet composition.

WEX
WEX fuel cards and fleet management solutions give you powerful tools to reduce spending — for any business, any fleet, any size.

Driving Dynamics
Driving Dynamics was established to help corporate fleet drivers develop expert, safe driving skills using proven, advanced driving techniques.

PARS
PARS’ mission is to provide you with high-quality service at competitive prices for all of your transportation needs.

Wheels, Inc.
First in fleet for 79 years. Wheels helps you build tomorrow’s fleet today.




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