By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

We spoke with Mir Baqar, Senior Director in the Ridecell Product Management group, to learn more about the company’s product and how it benefits fleets.

Whereas most fleet technology companies offer a one-size-fits-all product, Ridecell works with its clients to tailor its product to their needs.

Ridecell’s Fleet Transformation Cloud integrates data and churns usable insights, digital vehicle control, and an automated workflow.

“Our client-centric focus gives us a long-term relationship with our customers and a deeper and broader understanding of the [fleet] industry. We can see how it’s evolving and what the needs and trends are, so we’re ready to help our customers better fight their challenges.”

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By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

Predictive Coaching uses telematics data to identify the risky driving behaviors unique to each driver and assigns short, interactive training lessons to address the issue quickly and efficiently.

The program looks for risky driving behavior such as speeding, harsh braking, or harsh cornering, then assigns a relevant training lesson on a laptop or mobile device.

It’s a quick, automated, and cost-effective way to address the problem of risky driver behavior. We interviewed Mauricio Berber, President of Predictive Coach, to learn more about how the program works and what kind of fleets could most benefit from the software.

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By Asparuh Koev, CEO of Transmetrics

Trucking companies need to look at their data creatively, drilling down on comparisons across vehicle types, trade lanes, and customers. Truck GPS, fuel consumption, and customer data paired with analytics can get significant cost savings — even for smaller fleets.

Truckers can use telematics to measure engine data and pinpoint excessive idling periods, harsh breaking, and speeding. Charts that show the impact of driver behavior on fuel consumption and trip efficiency are great resources for training teams to be the best drivers on the roads.

The trucking industry faces a complex economic landscape. By tracking key performance indicators like real price per kilometer or miles, revenue trends, and loaded vs. empty miles, trucking companies can gain valuable insights to optimize operations.

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The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, a midsize luxury SUV, earns a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To qualify for the 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, vehicles need good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests and an acceptable or good rating in the updated moderate overlap front test, which now emphasizes back seat safety. In addition, an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation is required, and all trims must come with acceptable- or good-rated headlights.

Redesigned for 2024, the Nautilus satisfies all those requirements.

via IIHS

image credit: iSeeCars

Used electric vehicle prices fell below average gas car prices in February and EVs have continued to lose value faster than the average used gas car.

Karl Brauer, iSeeCars’ executive analyst, said, “There’s no denying the crash in used electric vehicle values over the past year. We’ve watched EVs’ prices fall between 30 and 40 percent since June of last year, while the average gas car’s price has dropped by just 3 to 7 percent in that same timeframe.”

“It’s clear used car shoppers will no longer pay a premium for electric vehicles and, in fact, consider electric powertrains a detractor, making them less desirable – and less valuable – than traditional models,” said Brauer.

via iSeeCars

The National Weather Service says millions of people are facing “dangerously hot conditions” over the next five days. Heat index temperatures in the Northeast are expected to reach 105F (41C) in the coming week.

Heat adversely affects EVs in two situations: Leaving your EV battery at a very low percentage of charge. A car’s thermal management requires energy, so keep your battery charged to help the car keep its battery cool. Letting a car sit for weeks in the hot sun. That’s harder on an EV than parking it in the shade or outdoors. If you have to leave your car at the airport for a week, putting it in a sheltered parking spot would be ideal.

via Electrek

According to an analysis of Cox Automotive’s vAuto Live Market View data estimates, retail used-vehicle sales in May increased from April and were up by 15.9% month over month. A total of 1.62 million used vehicles were sold at retail – from both franchised and independent dealers – during May, up 15.8% year over year.

Days’ supply at the start of May was 48, up from a revised 45 days at the beginning of April. Thanks in part to a pick-up in sales, used-vehicle inventory at the start of June had dropped back to 45 days’ supply. Both overall retail used-vehicle sales and sales of certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles increased month over month in May, according to data reviewed by Cox Automotive.

via Cox Automotive

By Jason Martinez

The enhanced speed and reliability of 5G allows for an expansion of fleet management telematic tools, as well as additional functionalities to make the jobs of users that much easier.

These technological improvements not only allow for more efficient fleet management–increasing productivity and reducing cost–but also serve to improve the safety of fleet operations.

IoT sensors can transmit real-time vehicle data to fleet operators, allowing for timely intervention before safety issues arise or a vehicle must be taken out of commission.

Electric vehicles already rely on more IT-based systems than their analog forebears, and expanded functionality will allow for even more safe, efficient, and affordable EV proliferation.

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By Tod Trousdell, Marketing Consultant

At Fleet Management Weekly we’re big fans of fleet managers, who are the very backbone of our industry and some of the smartest, most talented people we know.

This week’s featured fleet manager is Sharon Etherington of Roche Diagnostics, a real ‘rock star’ in the industry.

What are the biggest challenges facing your fleet at Roche?
Ensuring a sufficient supply of vehicles in a timely manner to support our industry growth was a significant issue. This challenge has been largely addressed through strategic measures…

What about the fleet industry keeps you up at night?
The technology around fleet management is changing rapidly with AI, Telematics, Connected Data, IOT, to name a few.

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Summer is here! In this new comprehensive report from Lytx, fleet managers and operators will find the best methods to help your drivers prevent heat stress and avoid down time.

When temperatures rise, driver fatigue caused by heat stress becomes a significant concern for companies with drivers and service technicians in the field. We have crucial information for you about the latest available technology designed to detect and mitigate heat-related driver fatigue.

Ensuring the well-being and safety of your employees is vital; this informative guide will help address this issue and provide you with actions to take to help protect your workforce.

To download the free Lytx guide, ‘Ways to Beat Heat Stress’, click here.