By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

Companies like Reindeer Logistics specialize in making fleet relocation a simple, streamlined process. Whether fleet managers are moving one vehicle or hundreds, Reindeer Logistics will work with them to manage the details of their move.

“Our tagline is real. personal. service.,” says Reindeer Logistics CEO Debbie Conrad Boyce. “Before offering a solution, one of our specialists sits down with the client to get to know their business and pain points. By seeking to be a partner rather than a vendor, we can provide what other companies don’t.”

Reindeer Premier Solutions, the company’s newest division, will focus on partnering with its clients to understand their needs and provide them with a premier solution.

Gone are the old days of moving a car from point A to point B. Logistics companies today need to be forward-thinking enough to manage the increasing complexity of the automotive industry. For Reindeer, taking the future head-on is the top priority.

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By Judie Nuskey, Director of Operations, ADTS

Multiple branches of the Federal Government attended the 2024 FedFleet Conference & Expo. Attendees were also able to visit the 2024 Washington, D.C. Auto Show, all within one venue – The Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Registration for the Federal Fleet Professionals confab included access to over 35 training sessions, a computer lab, and the hugely popular pre-conference Federal Fleet Boot Camp.

Conference sessions included fleet electrification, data reporting, EVSE planning, supply chain, best practices in fleet management, as well as vehicle safety and recalls.

Fleet managers reviewed policies, procedures, and mandates, and took to the exhibit floor to continue the conversation on challenges within the fleet industry.

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By Dave Bean, Content Editor, FMW

After three years of ownership, owners are finding their vehicles to be noticeably less dependable than reported in the last iteration of the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Year-over-year, the 2024 results reflect a 17% increase in reported vehicle problems from 2023.

“Historically, VDS model results mirror the results of the respective model year in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, so a deterioration of vehicle dependability is unusual,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.

Despite dismal numbers for most automakers regarding dependability, J.D. Power still presents its annual awards to the makes and models which fared better than the competition. Toyota bested all other OEMs in nine vehicle segments to be the overall winner.

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If you’re wondering what the number one vehicle sold in the used market is, it shouldn’t surprise you that it’s the same as the best-selling new vehicle. That would be the Ford F-150, making up 3.3 percent of all one- to five-year-old models sold in the U.S. through the end of 2023.

Next up was the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, making up 2.6 percent of used vehicle sold, but down 0.3 percent over 2022.

Third is the Chevrolet Equinox that made up 2.1 percent and a marginal gain of 0.1 percent that allowed it to climb up from fourth in 2022. It bumped the Ram 1500 which made the same percentage as the Equinox but is down in sales of all used cars by 0.2 percent.

via MotorTrend

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on automotive supply chains, making it hard and very expensive to find replacement parts. While that issue has largely passed, some vehicles and auto brands are still more expensive than others to maintain and find replacement parts.

Zutobi, an online driver’s ed provider, recently compiled a list of cars with the most expensive costs for repairs with replacement parts, and they’re not all high-end Euro models.

The Ford F-150 Raptor with 27-inch tires was the most expensive to repair, costing an average of $660.24. The GMC Sierra was second at $423.97, and the Hyundai Sonata was third at $419.97.

via Autoblog

Automakers believe that in-cabin technology is one of the most important areas of differentiation. However, a recent study shows that consumer desire for tech displayed at the show is tepid.

It looked at passenger-side infotainment screens, the ability to purchase products from an infotainment screen, and exterior screens, and found that fewer than a quarter of customers are interested in these technologies.

The passenger-side infotainment screen was most popular among people who intended to buy an EV or a plug-in hybrid, appealing to 29 percent and 25 percent of those shoppers, respectively. However, 79 percent of shoppers wouldn’t be interested in the feature if it added $1,000 to the price of their vehicle.

via CarScoops

Walmart is kicking off plans to build and remodel hundreds of stores in the US – and those plans include installing DC fast chargers at thousands of its Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.

Walmart says it’s going to remodel 650 stores across 47 states and Puerto Rico over the next 12 months, and build or convert more than 150 stores in the next five years. DC fast charger installation is included in that plan.  It already has almost 1,300 DC fast-charging stations at more than 280 US stores.

The retailer stated that it’s “working on developing a coast-to-coast network of affordable electric vehicle fast-charging stations we hope will make EV ownership a more convenient and accessible choice for Walmart shoppers and associates.”

via Electrek

Point One Navigation, a leading provider of high-precision location solutions, announced a new case study – Faction: Accelerating Autonomous Delivery with Point One.

Driverless delivery vehicles won’t go mainstream until they are safe, reliable, inexpensive, and most importantly, profitable. Faction is working with Point One Navigation to develop the tech that will make autonomous last-mile fleets meet those demands.

Faction develops driverless vehicle systems for vehicle manufacturers and uses a combination of computer-controlled autonomy and remote human (TeleAssist®) operators to create driverless last-mile curbside delivery and logistics fleets.

“Point One is very comparable to some of the more expensive systems out there, but at a better price point with excellent accuracy and reliability,” said Faction’s CEO Ain McKendrick

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By Sarah Bechtold, eDriving

February, the month of love, brings with it an opportunity to foster a positive relationship with our daily commutes. Instead of viewing it as a mundane task, let’s transform our mindset and embrace the road with love.

Start your day on the right note by incorporating mindfulness into your morning commute. Instead of rushing, take a moment to breathe and set a positive intention for the day.

Love your fellow commuters by expressing gratitude on the road. A simple wave or a courteous nod can go a long way in creating a positive atmosphere.

By adopting safe driving behaviors, we contribute to a more harmonious and enjoyable driving experience for everyone.

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By Ed Pierce, Fleet Management Weekly’s Brand Acceleration

To maximize the branding value and create sales opportunities that lead to the success of your exhibit or participation at the April 22 NAFA Institute and Exposition in San Antonio, fleet solutions providers must take a strategic approach.

This approach should be led by marketing in conjunction with sales but involving customer-facing account, customer service, and C-level managers to help strengthen customer relationships.

The first step is for marketing and sales to set clear objectives. The primary goal is most often generating as many leads as possible. The next step is to create a compelling agenda and experience. This involves planning engaging content that aligns with the set goals and resonates with the target audience.

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