June 15, 2021

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Editor’s Analysis & Top Industry News

Smoothing Out Those Bumps in the Road

The semiconductor shortage and resultant supply chain impact have caused some bumps in the road for many fleets.

Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS, talks with Ed Pierce about the role transport services are playing in this climate. In Caution: Not All Transportation Quotes are Created Equal, Teri gives us a valuable, detailed tutorial on how fleet managers can accurately evaluate transport quotes. There are significant differences that can make a big impact on a fleet’s bottom line.

With new vehicles harder to find, some fleets are acquiring used vehicles or keeping existing vehicles in service longer than they had planned. Samir Mehta, chief product officer at mobile maintenance company Wrench, tells us about their approach to reducing downtime while keeping costs in check.

Enjoy this issue and please check in with FMW daily for important updates!

Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief


VIDEO: The Main Forces Driving the Medium Duty Market

There are a few main forces driving the medium duty market, including availability of new and used inventory — which is driving up prices — and driver shortages.

VIDEO: The Move to EVs


 Transition to EVs: Building a Roadmap
 

Medium to large-sized fleets are building roadmaps to transition to electric vehicles, and LeasePlan is playing a major consultative role as they help their clients through the process.


Video Interview with YOU Here?

 Request for Zoom Video Interviews
 

We’re ramping up FMW’s video interviews via Zoom given the times, and are looking to speak with a variety industry experts (and we know that many of you are reading!).

Please feel free to suggest yourself, or someone you know. Any and all timely industry topics will be considered, and we look forward to speaking with you!

Email Ted Roberts to learn more: [email protected].


Spotlight

Register Now for NAFA I&E

PITTSBURGH, PA — AUGUST 30-SEPTEMER 1

NAFA is hosting a hybrid experience for I&E 2021, offering both an in-person meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, taking place August 30–September 1, as well as a limited virtual program that takes place September 13-15.

This innovative format will provide everyone the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and experience I&E.

Check out the Program and Schedule!

REGISTER NOW

AFLA Coffee Break: Let’s Discuss EVs

Electric vehicles are emerging stronger than ever in the fleet and leasing industry.

EV is our reality, but there is a lot to consider when switching your fleet. What do you already know? What do you still have to learn? How do you consider your drivers?

Join AFLA on June 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM CT to experience the perspectives and insights of AFLA Fleet Managers.

Space is limited — Register Now!

NHTSA Launches Campaign to Educate Drivers on Safety Features

NHTSA

The U.S. Department of Transportation launched a new series of safety videos featuring Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained, demonstrating for the public the potential lifesaving benefits of several advanced driver assistance systems available in many new vehicles.

The five short videos are hosted by Fenske and include: 4 Technologies That Could Prevent Your Next Car Crash; Rear Automatic Braking; Blind Spot Intervention; Lane Keeping Assistance; Automatic High Beams; and a four-part summary video discussing blind spot warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian automatic emergency braking.

READ MORE

How Much Does a Speeding Ticket Cost?

Bankrate via MSN

It is expensive to speed. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. with a speeding ticket is $2,029 per year, compared to $1674 with a clean driving record.

It is difficult to decipher the average cost of a speeding ticket because many states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wyoming all assess penalties based on the number of miles that exceed the speed limit.

The consequences of speeding can also vary. Ultimately, the penalties you face will depend upon the officer who pulled you over and your local court system.

This is how speeding affects your wallet as a driver in the U.S. in 2021.

Better Transport Services


By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor

“Not all transportation quotes are created equal.” That’s the cautionary message from Teri Ross, vice president of sales and client relations for PARS.

“Quotes for transport services may seem like a simple matter of specifying the cost for moving a vehicle from point A to point B,” says Teri.

“Transport company quotes are not the same and can result in ‘apples to oranges’ comparisons that astute fleet managers must drill into to discover the real cost. Otherwise, an unaware fleet manager will find unexpected charges on the invoice,” she notes.

READ MORE

 

Mobile Maintenance – and More


By Samir Mehta, Chief Product Officer, Wrench

Finding efficient processes for getting your fleet’s vehicles repaired and maintained with minimal downtime can be challenging as a fleet manager.

And now, because of the chip shortage and other manufacturing issues, there is a significant decrease in the production of new vehicles. With new vehicles harder to find, many fleet managers are turning to used vehicles. But buying used vehicles comes with new concerns about purchasing a lemon.

Wrench offers comprehensive inspection services to fleet managers with over 3,500 qualified and experienced inspectors nationwide, available 7-days a week. Wrench inspectors perform a 160-point inspection covering the exterior, interior, mechanical, tire, road test, and then generate a detailed report identifying areas of concern conducted by a Wrench ASE-certified technician.

READ MORE

 

Fleet Safety


By John Carione, Vice President of Marketing, IntelliShift

At the top of every fleet manager’s list of concerns is safety.

A strong safety program can protect not just your equipment and brand, but also your most important asset – your drivers and operators. By now, most organizations with a fleet of any size have some elements of a safety program in place. However, fleet safety programs must be both holistic and should never be “set and forget.”

With any safety program, it’s important to ensure that the foundational groundwork is in place. First, does your organization have a well-articulated definition of what safety means? Does everyone in your organization understand this definition? Ensure you’ve established clear goals and policies to reach them. Then, communicate, demonstrate, and reinforce this safety-centric approach so that it becomes engrained in your company’s culture.

READ MORE


Trending

Cheap Electric Cars Won’t Happen in America Until We Fix the Federal Tax Credit

The Drive

The price of lithium-ion batteries is far from the only obstacle slowing electric vehicle adoption in the United States. Behind the battery supply hurdle is another, equally large barrier, one America must contend with if it’s to democratize the electric car: The well-meaning, but utterly broken $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs.

The financial incentive is only fully available to car buyers above a specific threshold of income. Shoppers below that mark, who are more likely to shop economy cars than a fancy Tesla, pay less in taxes and thus receive reduced tax breaks, which by virtue of being smaller won’t be as influential in their car selection process.

As advocated by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the incentive should be awarded at the time of purchase, rather than be locked away for months until tax season. Point-of-sale rebates, these are called.

Read the article at The Drive.

Car Prices Are Soaring, And They’re Not Going to Stop

CNN Business

Car dealer lots have only a fraction of the vehicles — both new and used — that they typically have. That’s helping send prices to record levels and lifting the nation’s overall inflation rate.  And the price increases aren’t over yet.

Wholesale prices for used cars sold at auction are up 39% since the start of this year, according to other data from JD Power. Retail used car prices are up a more modest 20% in the same period. That’s also a significant jump for this time of year, and the higher wholesale prices are pointing to bigger increases on the way. Strong sales and limited supply — are feeding the price boom.

“It’s a perfect storm,” said Charlie Chesbrough, senior economist for Cox Automotive. “If you’re not willing to pay near sticker price, there’s someone behind you who is. These issues will likely be with us through at least the rest of this year.”

Read the article at CNN Business.

Trio of Ford F-Series Trucks Earn 2021 Price Digests Highest Retained Value Awards

Ford Media Center

Further underscoring its commitment to deliver durable, cost-effective vehicles to commercial customers, Ford today was honored with 2021 Price Digests Highest Retained Value Awards for three F-Series trucks.

The annual awards recognize the top commercial trucks expected to retain the most value over the next five years.

The Truck Blue Book analyst team at Price Digests estimated that the Ford F-250 Super Duty, winner in the Light Duty Trucks Cab and Chassis category, would have the best retained value overall at 59.28%. Two Ford chassis cabs also won – Ford F-350 Super Duty took the Light Duty Trucks Crew Cab and Chassis category, while Ford F-550 was tops in the Medium Duty Trucks Crew Cab and Chassis category.

Read the article at Ford Media Center.

There’s a Renewed Push to Install Anti-DUI Tech in all Vehicles

Autoblog

Detecting whether a driver is drunk is relatively straightforward, police officers do it nightly, but neatly integrating a detection system into a car’s cockpit is easier said than done. The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), has developed what it describes as “a fully passive, non-invasive alcohol detection system” for commercial and fleet vehicles.

Before starting their engine, drivers must exhale in the direction of a small sensor that can be integrated into the steering column or the A pillar. It detects their breath alcohol concentration and provides a pass/fail rating, so it doesn’t make the distinction between one beer and nine.

Car manufacturers note that some of the more advanced drunk-detection systems, like driver monitoring systems, are unreliable. This technology can detect whether a driver is paying attention to the road ahead, yet it’s not accurate enough to tell if you’re drunk.

Read the article at Autoblog.

Globally Speaking


Fleet Logistics is seeing increased demand for its global reporting platform on the back of the growing movement to fleet electrification and sustainability reporting amongst international fleet operators.

Some 50% of Fleet Logistics clients now have embedded recurring sustainability reporting at a global level, and there has been a 100% increase year-on-year in demand for electrification consulting projects.

The news comes against a Cornish backdrop of the UK-hosted G7 Summit of the world’s most powerful nations which have all committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest, with deep emissions reduction targets in the 2020s.

With a shrinking window of opportunity, Fleet Logistics reports that many major international companies with divisions in all parts of the world and operating thousands of vehicles, are now looking to evaluate their existing vehicle fleets in terms of carbon emissions, power train make-up and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

READ MORE

 

Word on the Street


By Steve Bender, CEO, Fleet Street Remarketing

The last year has been hard for fleets, that’s for sure.

And for allied service providers like Fleet Street, equally as challenging as well. From dealing with a virus that has threatened people’s well-being, to embracing a new world of protocols that changed the way we do business, let’s all hope the worst days of the pandemic are behind us.

Perhaps worse than anything, the pandemic has caused all of us to lose that critical “human connection” that all of us crave, and that was so vital to our wonderfully vibrant industry.

For fleet, the changes have been stark, and real. From working tirelessly to ensure top service to going without seeing our customers, colleagues and friends at great events like AFLA and NAFA, the past 15 months has been a tumultuous time virtually none of us could have imagined outside of a Hollywood soundstage.

READ MORE

 

UK Fleets


By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor

Despite the disruption in business caused by last year’s pandemic, the fundamentals of the UK fleet industry, like the US, remain strong, says Martin Brown, Managing Director of Fleet Alliance headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland.

As in the US, highlights include the rapid growth in EV registrations; advances in telematics and its integration with 5G and artificial intelligence (AI). The UK’s long-standing commitment to environmental concerns is helping to shape fleet decisions, too.

Founded in 2002, Glasgow-based Fleet Alliance Ltd. manages just over 30,000 vehicles with a combined asset value of about £1 billion. In line with the industry’s strength, Martin is pleased to report that Fleet Alliance is heading for a potential record year.

“If you told me 12 months ago that we’d see that level of growth, I wouldn’t have believed you,” admits Martin. “Yet, despite fewer business miles being driven in the past year, that change might be a better fit for electric vehicles.”

READ MORE





Fleet Management Resources

 

AFLA
The Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association. Advancing corporate fleet worldwide.

FLD
The fast, easy way to remarket without risk. Get an offer in hours, paid in a few days. Improve TCO. Save time, money and resources.

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

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

Fleet Street
Fleet Street has 30+ years of experience and knowledge using a spectrum of wholesale and retail channels to simplify your involvement in the remarketing process.

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

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.

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

Wheels, Inc.
First in fleet for 80 years. Wheels helps you build tomorrow’s fleet today.




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