By Bill Bishop, SVP of Sales and Marketing, FLD Remarketing

Over the years that our team at FLD Remarketing has been compiling our quarterly White Metal Market Report, the fleet space – and more appropriately, the used vehicle market – has certainly seen its share of ups and downs.

Now, after what seems like one challenge after the next – lack of available vehicles, supply chain snafus, industry consolidation – I’m happy to report that things may be returning to some semblance of normal.

Looking at the used market at the half-way point of Q2, supply remains “snug” as new vehicle availability is not back to pre-pandemic levels and fleets continue to hold on to used assets until they’re certain they can get new ones.

Fleets looking to adopt EVs will face continuing head winds, as it appears the “bloom is off the rose” as the realities of integrating these vehicles in an era of limited range and lack of access to charging infrastructure persists.

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By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

Although it’s hard to convince every driver to put down their phones, fleets do have an option to combat distracted driving within their ranks.

NoCell Technologies has developed a technology that eliminates temptation and improves driver safety.

To learn more about their product and how it can save fleets millions of dollars in insurance claims, we spoke with Corey Woinarowicz, CRO of NoCell Technologies.

“Our platform allows fleet managers to supervise cell phone usage while driving a company vehicle… If the driver needs access to a navigation app, an ELD, or a camera, the product allows drivers to access those while physically removing all other apps from the phone.”

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By Rachael Plant, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Fleetio

Fleets can help mitigate risks in the shop by focusing on ways to ease the physical stress mechanics face, including by using more ergonomic personal protective equipment (PPE), shop equipment, and tools.

The average age of fleet mechanics is around 42 years old. With more than 90,000 fleet mechanic jobs open in the U.S. presently, it can pay dividends to invest in mechanics’ safety. Taking steps to improve shop safety in general can greatly increase the chances of both hiring and retaining quality mechanics.

Effectively managing workloads is a key aspect of improving safety and productivity in the shop. Digital fleet solutions, like fleet management software (FMS), help simplify mechanic management.

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The California Department of Transportation (known as Caltrans) is considering ditching the gas tax all together in exchange for imposing a use tax on all vehicles, which would be charged per mile driven, regardless of what powers your car.

Caltrans has launched a pilot program called “California Road Charge.” The California Road Charger pilot program is offering up to $400 in incentives for anyone who wants to test the system out and have their miles tracked by Caltrans. Those who are volunteering to participate in the Road Charge pilot program can elect to have a tracking device installed in their car, in essence, surveilling their car use.

via MotorTrend

Manufacturing fleets of hybrid gas-electric cars instead of pure electric vehicles is the answer to reducing greenhouse gas emissions amid a global copper crunch, Adam Simon, a University of Michigan scientist found in a report published this month.

Internal combustion engines require 24 kilograms of copper, hybrid electric vehicles require 29 kilograms, and battery electric vehicles require 60 kilograms, according to the report.

“Transitioning to an entire fleet of, not just the Toyota Prius, but an entire fleet of hybrids would potentially have as big a positive impact on the environment and require a lot less copper and other metals,” Simon said.

via Government Technology

Used vehicles with branded titles often sell for thousands less than their clean-titled counterparts, but reading the Carfax report doesn’t always reveal the story behind the used car branded title, nor does it explain what each brand actually means.

You can think of a branded title as one that has been “stamped” with a notification that something has happened to the car. Branded titles often come from insurance companies’ willingness to pay for repairs after a serious crash. If the damage is severe enough, the insurer will declare a total loss, meaning the vehicle’s repairs will cost more than the car’s value. You might also see vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, which are also considered brands.

via Autoblog

GM had its fair share of EV hurdles last year, leading to disappointing sales. However, CEO Mary Barra says those bottlenecks are a thing of the past as new models like the Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs hit the market.

After delivering 75,883 electric cars last year, GM missed its goal of selling 100,000 EVs in the second half of 2023. GM’s delayed rollouts were caused by software issues, freight delays, and other factors. CEO Mary Barra believes those issues are behind them. The company aims to build 200,000 to 300,000 EVs this year, about 20 times more than GM did in 2024.

via Electrek

By Laura Jozwiak

Flying has become routine for me—a means to connect with clients, partners, and industry events scattered across the globe. Ideally, air travel should be seamless—a symphony of on-time departures, smooth flights, and courteous passengers and crew.

Yet, as in any industry, turbulence disrupts the tranquility. It’s a scenario with which we’re all too familiar. People get stressed, tempers flare, and small annoyances become big distractions.

Amidst the turbulence, the importance of exceptional customer service emerges as a beacon of hope. Enter flight attendant Morgan Hearns, an example of service excellence, whose recent encounter on a flight demonstrated the stark contrast between mediocrity and true customer-centricity.

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By Tod Trousdell, Fleet Marketing Consultant and Partner, RobertsTrousdell Marketing and Communications

At Fleet Management Weekly, we’re huge fans of the professional fleet managers who are the core of our industry! Especially top fleet leaders like David Hayward of ABM.

A popular and well-known fleet manager, David drops in to tell us his thoughts on today’s fleet space and a little bit more about what makes him tick, his family, and even what he considers the perfect meal!

What about the fleet industry keeps you up at night?
CARB! I know many of my peers are chuckling as they read this. But never has an acronym garnered such reactions within fleet.

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NTEA – The Work Truck Association™ released the fourth edition of the U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report – Powered by Commercial Truck Trader, NTEA and S&P Global Mobility.

This semi-annual industry report, which was launched in 2022, delves into the details, data and trends around the commercial vehicle life cycle — from chassis sales to truck registration to later stages when used vehicles re-enter the sales market.

“The rate of commercial vehicle industry technology advancements is nearly unmatched in history,” said Kevin Koester, NTEA managing director. “As this continued development shifts market dynamics, it’s important to maintain a focus on data. The spring 2024 U.S. Commercial Vehicle Market Report seeks to provide both data and insight…”

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