By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

While there are many safety programs on the market designed to lower driver risk, one company is approaching it in a new way: Artificial Intelligence (AI).

While today’s fleet safety programs are addressing driver safety through ‘connected vehicle’ technology that identifies risky driver behavior and data analyses, the ability to predict risky behavior is still in the formative state when it comes to situational awareness.

Nauto CEO Stefan Heck believes that the company is well-positioned to extend the driver safety envelope with a real-time, AI-enabled driver and fleet safety platform. “By analyzing billions of data points from over three billion AI-analyzed miles, our machine learning algorithms continuously improve and can predict and improve driver behavior before events happen,” he says.

READ MORE

Small-midsize fleets play a crucial role in daily life, but the demands they face continue to climb. Managing these demands while maintaining a profitable, service-oriented fleet is easier with the right tools, like a transportation management system (TMS).

More than 35% of fleets today use a Transportation Management System (TMS) for efficient operations and a better bottom line. But there are a lot of choices, and it’s important to find the TMS that fits your business, rather than adapting your business to fit a TMS.

Read “Pedal to the Metal” to understand what the right TMS can do for your fleet.

By Richard Mallek, Business Development Manager, FLD Remarketing

Challenges now facing the fleet industry seem so persistent that FLD Remarketing started wondering: Just how is all of this disruption affecting fleet?

And, exactly which of these challenges are causing the most problems for our industry?

From questions about gas prices and inflation, to queries about supply chains, raw materials and shortages, the poll provided a snapshot of industry sentiment during one of the most critical and unpredictable periods in fleet’s history.

While it would likely take a crystal ball to predict where the industry will be in a year, we believe the fleet poll – and the valuable insights we received – can go a long way towards helping our customers both better plan – and prepare – for what’s ahead.

READ MORE

The major car companies have ambitious plans for fleets of electric vehicles. Those cars and trucks run on lithium batteries.

The U.S. has massive quantities of lithium but has been slow to invest in the mining and extraction of the metal. That’s about to change. Lithium operations powered by clean energy are being developed in a long neglected, impoverished part of California by the Salton Sea, not far from the Mexican border. The region is being called Lithium Valley and just like the 1849 Gold Rush, companies are racing to strike it rich.

via CBS News

A new effort by Brooklyn-based startup itselectric, in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Hyundai CRADLE, will test curbside chargers of its own design in the city later this year.

The company partners with individual property owners who want to install chargers as a source of income, with itselectric analyzing the electrical panel and the curb for suitability. If a site seems like a good fit, itselectric installs and maintains a Level 2 charger at no cost to property owners, which is powered by spare energy from a building’s electrical supply. The company says property owners who host chargers can earn amounts starting at $1000 per charger per year.

Car and Driver

So much is happening on so many automotive tech fronts that keeping up with it all is virtually impossible. Not all that long ago, we judged a car by its styling, mechanicals, fuel economy, comfort, and safety.

However, in the last 20 years, the ascendency of software as the overriding component in modern motor vehicles has totally changed the industry. Moreover, it has rearranged our priorities when shopping for a car. In short, we’ve come to expect much more from a car than simply transporting us from point A to point B. Cars must now function as rolling communication hubs.

via KBB

Wholesale used-vehicle prices decreased 3.0% in April from March. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index (MUVVI) dropped to 230.8, down 4.4% from a year ago.

“While values increased 8.6% through the first quarter from December, the market has reversed course in April, with our monthly figures showing a month-over-month decline for the first time in 2023,” said Chris Frey, senior manager of Economic and Industry Insights for Cox Automotive. “Values in April also continue to be lower year over year. We’ve experienced eight straight months of year-over-year declines, averaging 8.3%, and it’s likely not over yet.”

via Cox Automotive

By Ed Pierce, FMW Brand Acceleration

Fleet marketers can help a fleet service or product provider’s sales team close more deals by generating qualified leads and providing them with the information and tools they need to effectively engage with those leads.

By working closely with the sales team and leveraging these lead generation tactics, B2B marketing can help drive more qualified leads to the sales team, provide them with the tools and information they need to close deals, and ultimately help the company grow its customer base and revenue.

By delivering personalized content, engaging with leads on social media, and providing opportunities for interaction through webinars and email campaigns, B2B marketers can help move leads through the funnel and prepare them for conversion by the sales team.

READ MORE

ACT Expo announced the winners of its 2023 ACT Expo Fleet Awards, highlighting innovators that are taking their sustainability journey to the next level.

The ACT Expo Fleet Awards recognize fleets and individuals leading the transition to near-zero and zero-emission transportation. The winners have shown true leadership in sustainable transportation, demonstrating a commitment to improving the air quality in their communities and successfully transitioning to cleaner technologies within their fleet operations. A diverse set of organizations from across North America were honored in multiple award categories.

READ MORE

By Ed Dubens, CEO/Founder, eDriving

Building and nurturing a crash free culture that emphasizes the importance of employee safety while driving for work is all about PROCESS – successful programs are made not born!!!

Our mission, as we all know, is to reduce incidents, collisions, license violations, and injuries that in turn will promote a safer and more productive workplace. At the same time, your crash free culture will simultaneously deliver a best-in-class TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)!

Always remember, the ultimate goal is for all employees who drive for work purposes to return home safely to their loved ones and communities at the end of each day. A crash-free culture does not happen overnight; it requires ongoing effort and reinforcement before becoming part of your organization’s DNA.

READ MORE