In recent months, Fleet Management Weekly interviewed a number of top executives of leading fleet management companies.

All the interviews included the perspectives of these leaders on the most significant fleet industry trends and developments that their clients must focus on to benefit from the dramatic changes sweeping fleet.

From overcoming the current supply chain disruption to the transition to electric vehicles, the growth of artificial intelligence and last-mile delivery services, our FMC leaders demonstrate how they are strengthening their value to their fleet clients.

As one FMC executive put it, the “new normal” will be anything but normal.

We summarize their key observations.

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By Adam Danielson, Sales and Business Development Director

The volume of fleet safety data is continually expanding. The data alone, even when normalized and aggregated, cannot identify the difference between good and risky drivers.

The adage “You can’t manage what you can’t measure” explains the need for tools to use actionable data in driver safety.

The volume of data is continually expanding. The data alone, even when normalized and aggregated, cannot identify the difference between good and risky drivers. To assess risk, the data needs to be compared to appropriate benchmarks.

Benchmarks can be set both at the fleet and driver level to compare data against the organizational goals and industry standards.

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By Lori Rasmussen, WIFM chair, AFLA

WIFM’s goal for our annual AFLA conference session has always been to invite expert speakers who can engage an audience by extraordinary ideas that lead to personal and professional development.

We are pleased to announce that Todd Musig will join us at the upcoming AFLA 2021 Corporate Fleet Conference to speak on professional resiliency.

Recognizing that fleet managers can relate their role as that of a ringmaster of a three-ring circus, Todd will suggest ways to work with the other performers in your circus to accomplish your goals and explain the four keys for getting more “standing ovations.”

Co-author of the award winning book, Juggling Elephants and Getting to It!, Todd will talk about strategies that we you can immediately apply to help accomplish things that matter most to you.

I speak for all of WIFM and AFLA when I say we are excited to welcome all attendees to this morning session right after the first breakfast on Monday, October 4th, and we look forward to emerging stronger in-person again.

Register now for the AFLA 2021 Corporate Fleet Conference at AFLA.org!

IIHS

The infrastructure bill passed by the U.S. Senate this month contains a slew of long-awaited highway safety provisions. Many of them are based on or supported by research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute.

The bill includes requirements for crash avoidance technology, an update to the rear underride guard standard for large trucks, an update to headlight standards to allow a new type of lighting technology, and a mandate to equip vehicles with passive alcohol detection technology.

“The Institutes’ influence is clearly visible in many provisions of this landmark legislation,” IIHS-HLDI President David Harkey says. “The degree to which we can classify these as safety wins will depend on how regulators carry out the instructions. We look forward to providing our input during the rulemaking process on each of these issues.”

Read the article at IIHS.

U.S. News

When shoppers are considering the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle (EV), one of the first questions they ask is, “how much does it cost to charge?” Fortunately, there’s ample information to help you determine the cost to charge almost any electric vehicle available in the marketplace, and the math involved is pretty simple.

Charging an EV at home is dramatically less expensive than fueling a gasoline or diesel vehicle. The cost  is based on the vehicle’s energy efficiency and the cost of electricity, which can vary greatly.

When you’re charging your electric car from a public charging station, you can be billed either by the cost of electricity or the amount of time you spend tethered to the station. In some cases, you won’t be billed at all.

Read the article at U.S. News.

Electrify America

While using either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, drivers will enjoy access to many of the same benefits of the Electrify America mobile app, just reimagined for the car. Drivers can access the mobile app through their vehicle’s infotainment system.

The Electrify America mobile app was recently redesigned to introduce improved functionality and convenient features that make the charging experience approachable for new and existing customers alike.

“Electrify America is constantly striving to meet customers where they are and make the transition to EV driving as seamless as possible,” said Brenna Corrigan, manager of brand & digital marketing at Electrify America. “With this expanded functionality, we are integrating essential charging station navigation information right into customers’ vehicles, helping them feel confident on the road.”

Read the article at Electrify America.

Electrek

Consumers will look at a number of factors as they choose to go electric. One major specification on any EV data sheet is the estimated range i.e. the amount of miles your new vehicle can travel on a single charge.

Tesla’s Model 3 Long Range sedan currently sits as the automakers longest range trim today with an EPA estimated 353 miles on a single charge. As Tesla’s second newest and cheapest EV, the Model 3 has quickly become the best selling electric car in history.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E CA Route 1 Edition makes this list because it offers the most range out of the five variations Ford is either currently offering or will be delivering soon. This electric Mustang can travel an EPA estimated 305 miles on a single charge.

Read the article at Electrek.

ITA Communications

The key components that make up a successful driver safety program include…

– An assessment of needs and performance shortfalls vis a vis a written policy
– Alignment with corporate social and employee safety goals
– Key training performance goals and metrics
– Active senior leadership support
– Engaging, relevant learning content and communications channels
– Continuous reinforcement of model behavior and performance with impactful consequences and rewards
– Ongoing marketing to gain driver acceptance, understanding, and advocacy

As a long-time fleet marketing specialist, I see that the same proven marketing concepts employed by companies to win customers and strengthen customer relationships can be applied to win drivers’ perceptions and behavior.

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By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor

New to LeasePlan, Chris Watkins, EVP of Operations, can’t help but share his passion for customer service.

Chris comes to LeasePlan with proven expertise in operations leadership and enabling service delivery functions. He also brings a background in driving strategy and transformation efforts to convert corporate objectives into business outcomes.

In a recent interview, he detailed his nearly 30 years in operations and service delivery leadership positions as well as design of service delivery models, technology enablement, planning and transformation. He explained how this wealth of experience will be applied to LeasePlan’s operations models and what fuels this enthusiasm for service.

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By Bill Bishop, SVP of Sales and Marketing, FLD

As part of our responsibilities as the leader in vehicle remarketing, FLD produces a quarterly report on the state of the used medium duty wholesale market called the White Metal Market Report.

This publication, which is shared with our clients, partners and associates, is just one of the ways we demonstrate thought leadership in a corner of the fleet industry that has become overly populated with a host of independent and channel partners over the past few years.

Ahead of the release of our Q3 report, we thought we’d share some of our most recent insights with the readers of Fleet Management Weekly.

Today – nearly a year and half since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic – the medium duty wholesale market is beginning to stabilize. And while much of the industry is still reeling from challenges like the ongoing chip and supply chain shortages, indications are that the wild ride is starting to moderate.

What makes us feel this way?

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