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FleetManagementWeekly
June 7, 2022

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Editor’s Analysis & Top Industry News

Putting Customers First

FMW was excited to interview Wheels Donlen CEO Shlomo Crandus to learn about the state of the merger between these two powerhouse Chicagoland firms. In Ed Pierce’s in-depth article derived from that interview, Crandus says, “As we’ve come together, we’ve reaffirmed for both organizations how much we love and value putting customers first.”

Michael Quimby is a go-to expert on material handling equipment. We recently published FMW’s interview with Quimby, and we’re delighted to feature a video clip from that interview today.

It is NSC’s National Safety Month. CEO and Founder of eDriving, Ed Dubens, authors a timely article: “Time to Ingrain Driver Safety in Company Culture.” If not now, when?

Drive Safety,

Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief


VIDEO: Material Handling: The Next Frontier of Fleet Management

According to this industry expert, Material Handling is now where Fleet Management was about 20 years ago – but it needs to be a Top 10 category for any CFO who cares about managing expenses.

VIDEO: Smart Fleet Maintenance


  Fleetio’s Maintenance Shop Integration Means Faster Vehicle Servicing
 

Fleetio integrates with over 50,000 maintenance shops around the country, which means vehicles can be serviced much more efficiently.

You can Learn More and Book a Demo at www.fleetio.com.


VIDEO: Telematics, Fuel and Safety

  Smart Ways to Manage Fuel Consumption and Safety
 

Teletrac Navman offers fleet management solutions for fleets of all sizes – including fuel consumption, safety and asset tracking.


Spotlight

J.D. Power acquires UK-based We Predict J.D. Power Acquires UK-based We Predict

J.D. Power, a global leader in data analytics and customer intelligence, announced that it has acquired the data and predictive analytics business of We Predict, the UK-based provider of global automobile service and warranty analytics.

We Predict’s software, which is used by auto manufacturers and suppliers to project future component failures and future warranty claims and costs, will be leveraged by J.D. Power to enhance its vehicle quality and dependability analytics, expand repair cost forecasting and provide critical valuation data.

READ MORE

2022 NAFA Leadership Experience NAFA Leadership Experience ’22: Expanding Influence, Energizing Innovation

For a second consecutive year, NAFA will offer an opportunity for members to bolster their leadership skills by attending the 2022 NAFA Leadership Experience.

The re-imagined four-module virtual interactive event will be conducted on June 30, July 14, July 28 and August 11.

Entitled Expanding Influence, Energizing Innovation, the focus this year is on the capacity to be both innovative and influential, a mandatory skill set necessary to succeed in the current business climate.

READ MORE

Forward Together: AFLA 2022 Corporate Fleet Conference

Join AFLA for its 2022 Corporate Fleet Conference in beautiful Tucson, Arizona

The conference will begin Monday, October 10, 2022 with networking opportunities that evening. All sessions will begin on Tuesday, October 11th with the conference concluding at 12pm on Thursday, October 13th. Mark your calendars now to join AFLA for “Forward Together.”

REGISTER NOW

FMW Celebrates Pride Month

by Ted Roberts

Janice and I and the FMW team celebrate Pride this month, with thoughts and appreciation for the brave and innovative LGBTQ+ folks who have paved the way before us!

I took the jump into this amazing industry eight years ago, but at the time I didn’t really know what the Fleet world was like. And as an out gay man who’d primarily been in the Tech industry for nearly two decades, I had a tiny bit of apprehension. But I am happy to say that apprehension was unnecessary – our industry has more wonderful, warm, inclusive people than I could ever have imagined.

All of that said, I know that I am lucky. My wish (and our wish) is that everyone will be respected for who they are, and allowed and encouraged to live their best, most authentic lives. So that we all may flourish.

Wheels Donlen Moves Forward


By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor

Last year, the merger of Wheels and Donlen made waves in the fleet management world.

The combination of these two powerhouse companies has created a true force to be reckoned with in the fleet management industry.

With the advantages that scale will bring coupled with both legacy organizations’ relentless focus on customers, Wheels Donlen is well positioned for success.

As the two companies become one, they needed to align on a platform strategy that would allow them to best serve their expanding customer base – ensuring that the existing platform strengths of each legacy company could be maximized while also building enhancements to help their customers achieve their fleet and business goals.

READ MORE

 

Fleet Marketing


…Is Still the Best When Business Results Matter

By Ed Pierce, Fleet Industry Marketing Consultant

With the hyperbole and hype about digital marketing activities such as social media, content marketing, SEO, and PPC, the first digital marketing tool, email, is still one of the best.

It’s important to nurture leads, convert prospects, and reward repeat customers. Using tested email marketing best practices will help you do just that. These tips can also help you make the most of your email marketing strategy.

When setting up a digital marketing campaign, targeted email is a key component. It enables you to reach out directly to customers, while at the same time enabling you to test different variations of the same email.

Let’s break down the three essential stages of targeted email marketing campaign.

READ MORE

 

Crash-Free Culture


By Ed Dubens, CEO/Founder of eDriving

The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number one cause of workplace deaths is motor vehicle crashes, accounting for more than 37 percent of all work-related deaths.

It’s a sobering statistic, which is why this month’s National Safety Month, is an ideal opportunity for businesses with employees “driving for work purposes” to consider if they are doing everything they can to keep their drivers safe.

Sadly, too often, driver training is a “checkbox” exercise to simply meet health and safety requirements, or an initiative implemented in response to an incident or collision, especially one involving injuries. Road safety needs to be ingrained in company culture. “What interests the boss, fascinates and engages the employees” is a popular eDriving mantra.

READ MORE


Trending

Fleet Buyers are Hot for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 EV

June 5, 2022GM’s fleet team says it has taken 85,000 reservations for the new Silverado EV truck, with interest coming from almost 370 companies. Part of the increase in interest relates to the facts that fleet buyers just need to keep new vehicles coming.

General Motors’ fleet volume saw declines as the pandemic and microchip shortage took their toll, but the automaker reported a 7% increase in fleet penetration in the first quarter of this year over the same period last year.

The Silverado EV RST, a range-topping luxurious variant, sold out in just 12 minutes and there are well over 140,000 reservations for the truck to date. That demand, coupled with Chevy’s innovative features for the new trucks, should ensure sustained interest from fleet and retail buyers alike.

via CarBuzz

What’s Happening with Wireless Charging?

June 5, 2022EV owners clearly want the option of wireless charging. Some startups are now trying to do what manufacturers won’t. A leading example is WAVE (Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification). WAVE has already demonstrated the potential of wireless charging, using its demo chargers on electric buses.

Another firm making serious strides in the area is WiTricity. WiTricity recently conducted a survey to demonstrate just how eager consumers are for wireless tech. According to the survey 96% of those who responded wanted to at least have the option of wireless charging. Meanwhile 71% find the prospect of wireless charging to be “extremely appealing”. The startup recently started working with Hyundai.

via InsideEVs

Toyota Considering a Compact Pickup to Fight Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz

June 3, 2022The favorable return of the compact pickup truck is under high scrutiny at Toyota, as the automaker is looking at introducing a small unibody pickup of its own to compete against the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Toyota is no stranger to small trucks. The original Toyota Truck was known for its mini shape, reliability, efficiency, and simplicity. But as customers’ demands changed and safety regulations got stricter, the Toyota Truck lost its compact shape. The new truck, however, could bring back all those charms, along with Toyota’s potent reputation for building rugged, reliable pickups.

Toyota’s mini truck likely would share its version of the TNGA platform with the Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Venza, and could have the flexibility of offering gas, hybrid and even plug-in hybrid powertrains.

via MotorTrend

NHTSA Investigates Ford Bronco ‘Catastrophic Engine Failure’ Reports

June 3, 2022Ford’s sixth-generation Bronco is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over reports of “catastrophic engine failure.” The federal agency wrote that it has received three petitions requesting a probe into the alleged problem.

The investigation stems from petitions that claim some Bronco models powered by the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 suffer from a valvetrain-related problem that manifests as a loss of power at highway speeds. Starting the engine is then reportedly impossible due to what is described as “a catastrophic engine failure.”

Some describe it as a dropped valve, a problem which usually damages the cylinder and the head, and many of the affected SUVs have received a new engine.

via Autoblog

Telematics and EVs


June 3, 2022When managers of commercial fleets are considering transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), they need to analyze their current vehicles, the jobs they do and whether electric vehicles could do the same.

In April, Verizon Connect announced a partnership with Sawatch Labs in which the two companies will perform this kind of analysis for fleets that have more than 10 vehicles. Verizon Connect will use the data that it collects from the customer’s vehicles through an added piece of hardware as part of its Reveal fleet management solution

Data can be gathered by means of telematics. This includes the amount of time the vehicle is in operation each day, the number of miles it is driven, the kinds of roads on which it is used and the weight of the loads it carries. This data will help determine whether an EV could perform the same work and how often it would need to be recharged.

via PYMNTS.COM

 

Customer Driven


By Laura Jozwiak

Ch-ch-changes! If you are around my age, you will instantly hear David Bowie’s voice sing out this phrase inside your head. He was right in 1971, and the message still resonates today.

The lyrics say, “Turn and face the strange changes.”

Our new world is based on change. Some changes may be strange and challenging, like supply chain volatility, rising costs, immerging technologies, disruptive innovations, hybrid work, and the “Great Resignation.” These topics, and many more, cause uncertainty and impact the world around us.

As a result, our nights are less restful, and our days are challenging as we work through what these changes mean and how we need to incorporate the trends and even pivot our plans.

But is it really a new world? Or is it just a faster-paced world?

READ MORE

 

NAFA and ESG


ESG Integrity and NAFA announced a partnership program to assist the fuels and transportation industries with meeting the growing demand for Environmental, Social, and Governance planning and reporting.

ESG planning and reporting is becoming a necessary tool in maintaining and developing supply chain relationships and meeting the demands of clients and lenders.

Based upon newly proposed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and existing business demands, publicly traded companies will most likely need to develop an ESG plan.

This new partnership will provide guidance and significantly reduce costs for fleets while yielding final ESG reports with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions modeling and reporting.

In order to have a well-structured plan, fleet managers will need to have systems and policies in place with the proper tools to be able to collect, compute, and report required metrics in an efficient and cost-effective capacity.

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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