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FleetManagementWeekly
October 16, 2024

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Editor’s Analysis & Top Industry News

Looking Out for Carrier Fraud

Fraud is, unfortunately, a huge concern for carrier fleets these days. In this issue we have a timely article from Truckstop’s Lisa Haubenstock on how brokers can get guidance when it comes to carrier compliance and a generalized risk assessment. Read it HERE.

Fleet Week in San Diego

Fleet Week is happening in San Diego in under three weeks’ time, with the Global Fleet Conference (register HERE) from Nov.4-6, and the Fleet Forward Conference and the Fleet Safety Conference from Nov. 6-8 (register for both of those HERE). I will be at Fleet Forward and hope to see you there!

Smart Fleet Marketing for 2025

Are you marketing to fleets? If so, Fleet Management Weekly has a number of powerful, affordable options to help you meet your goals. Contact me HERE to learn more.

Ted Roberts
President


VIDEO: The Transformative Power of Fleet Telematics

Welcome to another episode of Let’s Speak Fleet, where we bring you expert insights on the latest trends and technologies in fleet management. In this episode, Wheels’ Telematics Expert, Shannon Keck, joins host Carlos Oropeza to dive into the transformative power of telematics in improving fleet performance. Shannon shares how telematics enhances driver behavior, improves overall fleet safety, and proactively manages vehicle maintenance through predictive analytics.

VIDEO: Fleet Week in San Diego


  Fleet Week: 3 Must-Attend Conferences in San Diego
 

Fleet Week in San Diego, from November 4 through 8, offers the Global Fleet Conference, the Fleet Forward Conference and the Fleet Safety Conference – three must-attend events all in one place. We hope to see you there.


Zoom Video Interview with You Here?

  Request for Zoom Video Interviews
 

We now conduct the majority of our interviews via Zoom, and are looking to speak with a variety industry experts (and we know that many of you are reading!).

Please feel free to suggest yourself, or someone you know. Any and all timely industry topics will be considered, and we look forward to speaking with you!

Email Ted Roberts to learn more: [email protected].


Spotlight

Reindeer Logistics Joins eSTART Coalition to Help Modernize Automotive Title and Registration Processes Reindeer Logistics Joins eSTART Coalition to Help Modernize Automotive Title and Registration Processes

Reindeer Logistics is excited to announce its participation in the Electronic Secure Title and Registration Transformation (eSTART) Coalition as a founding member.

“We’re excited to be part of a coalition that not only shares Reindeer’s vision for a more streamlined and modern automotive industry but is actively working towards making it a reality. Together, we can make a significant impact on the way our industry operates and how our customers experience it,” said Michael Stevens, Vice President for Reindeer.

READ MORE

Motus Appoints Amanda Bohne as Chief Marketing Officer Motus Appoints Amanda Bohne as Chief Marketing Officer

Motus announced the appointment of Amanda Bohne as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

“Amanda’s extensive experience in technology marketing, coupled with her passion for building dynamic teams, makes her the ideal leader to expedite our growth trajectory and enhance our marketing efforts,” said Phong Nguyen, CEO of Motus.

“It’s a phenomenal opportunity to be able to work on a market-leading brand with such a commitment to innovation and an incredible customer base,” said Bohne. “I’m so excited to partner with this talented and customer-centric team to further accelerate Motus’ evolution in this next chapter.”

READ MORE

AFLA Learning Now Available! AFLA Learning Now Available!

AFLA Members Receive Exclusive Access to New Education Offering

The AFLA Education Task Force is excited to beta-launch the newly-imagined, snackable approach to year-round fleet education from AFLA. The first module of this initiative, Fleet 101, is designed to be the resource we all wish we had when starting our first fleet industry position.

Covering key topics such as common acronyms, safety, building your network and so much more – each designed to take no more than 10-15 minutes of your time.

To gain access to this new program, log in here!

Wheels Honored with Two Prestigious Stevie Awards Sofico Wins Prestigious BVA Private Equity Award in the Category ‘Best Buyout’

Sofico proudly received an award at the BVA Private Equity Awards.. This honor recognizes the success of Sofico’s partnership with private equity investor Apheon, whose backing has been instrumental in driving the company’s sustained growth, strategic expansion, and long-term value creation.

“We have always prioritized innovation and continuous improvement, whether it’s expanding our product suite or entering new markets. Our growth is not just a reflection of financial success, but also of the relationships we’ve built with our clients, employees, and stakeholders,” said Gémar Hompes, CEO of Sofico.

READ MORE

AI in Automotive Finance


By Sofico

OEM captives and lease companies have a tremendous opportunity to revolutionize their operations through AI and data analytics.

Accurate, accessible data enables personalization, efficient service delivery, and cost-effective opportunities to scale internal operations.

Much of this data revolution is powered by connected vehicles or telematics. This technology combines GPS navigation and onboard diagnostics to monitor and track a vehicle’s location, movements, and performance in real time.

The rise of AI in the automotive finance industry has benefits for customers too. By analyzing behavioral data, spending patterns, and historical transactions, you can offer insightful recommendations tailored to individual preferences and financial situations.

READ MORE

 

Carrier Fraud


By Lisa Haubenstock, Vice President of Product, Risk & Compliance Solutions, Truckstop

Just when freight brokers believe they have fraud under control, scammers – often disguising themselves as legitimate carriers – become even more cunning and deceptive.

Brokers can be targeted in numerous ways, including identity theft, double-brokering, fake invoices, and cargo theft by scammers who use impersonation and falsified documents.

A carrier’s status can shift from ‘good to go’ to ‘risky’ in a short time. Having a carrier vetting tool that utilizes the industry’s most comprehensive dataset can help capture and retrieve the most up-to-date information.

One such service to consider is Risk Factors, a reliable fraud mitigation tool designed by Truckstop to help brokers with carrier compliance and a generalized risk assessment.

READ MORE

 

Vehicle and Asset Management


Fleetio, a leading fleet optimization company, announced a new partnership with Razor Tracking, a fleet telematics software company.

“This partnership brings significant value to our customers due to Razor Tracking’s ability to automatically sync telematics data from agricultural equipment and heavy machinery into Fleetio,” said Stefano Daneri, Product Marketing Manager from Fleetio.

“We are proud of our new partnership with Fleetio and to offer even more solutions for our customers,” said Eric Mauch, Managing Partner of Razor Tracking. “Our in-vehicle devices and dash cameras are the perfect complement to any fleet operation management.”

READ MORE


Trending

What You Should Know Before You Buy a Used Electric Vehicle

Reliable, cost-conscious used EVs exist, and they may also qualify for a $4,500 federal tax credit. Because of depreciation, you may be able to get a newer electric vehicle with more features than if you purchased a comparable gas-powered vehicle for the same price.

“The sweet spot for a used EV is one that’s still under its battery warranty but that’s depreciated enough for significant savings compared to a new one,” says Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development at CR’s Auto Test Center. “You should also consider how long you plan to keep the car, and if the savings are worth it compared to buying a hybrid vehicle that may be more reliable in the long run.”

via Consumer Reports

DHL Tests Tesla Semi and Confirms the Electric Truck’s Impressive Performance

Over a two-week trial period this summer, DHL Supply Chain USA took a thorough look under the hood of the Tesla Semi, integrating the e-truck into 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of normal operations out of Livermore, California.

The trial included one long haul of 390 miles (625 km) – fully loaded with a gross combined weight of 75,000 pounds (34 metric tons) – confirming the Tesla Semi’s ability to carry typical DHL payloads over a long distance on a single charge. The trial vehicle averaged 1.72 kWh/mile operating at speeds exceeding 50 mph (80 km/h) on average for over half its time on the road. The result exceeded Tesla’s own rating.

via Electrek

ICE Vehicles Losing Ground as Consumers Shift to Hybrids and EVs

According to a new report from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, ICE vehicles saw the biggest market share loss of any vehicle category in the first half of 2024, dropping by 2.3%. While consumers continue to switch to ICE alternatives, that transition won’t always happen at the same speed from year to year.

Less than 10 years ago, ICE vehicle sales made up virtually the entire U.S. car market — some 97% in 2016. This year, ICE vehicles made up 78% of new car sales, down about 18% since before the pandemic. In that time, Hybrids, EVs, and PHEVs have all seen significant growth in the U.S. thanks to expanded manufacturer offerings and generous federal and state credits.

via Autoblog

Automakers Quickly Improve Seat Belt Reminders in Response to IIHS Ratings

Automakers have moved quickly to install louder, more persistent seat belt reminders since the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety began rating the features in 2022.

“Automakers can boost a vehicle’s performance in this test with just some small software changes,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “These easy tweaks can have a big impact on safety.”

Eighteen vehicles with seat belt reminders that previously fell short recently earned good ratings from IIHS for their latest models. The improved vehicles are the Acura MDX, Ford Escape, Ford Expedition, Ford Maverick, Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Altima, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla hatchback, Toyota Corolla sedan, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Tacoma and Volvo XC40.

via IIHS

The Hourglass Foundation


In July 2024, The Hourglass Foundation was named AFLA’s “Charity of the Year.” In celebration, the organization launched an iGive Back Fundraising Campaign aimed at raising a minimum of $12,000 to help with their student scholarship gifts.

With visibility at AFLA’s Annual Conference, The Hourglass Foundation was able to raise over $18,700 in contribution – more than double the amount of their direct student scholarship gifts for 2025!

“I was amazed at the outpouring of support, as well as the amount of interest there was in what we are doing as an organization. It’s a true testament to just how amazing the people in the automotive industry are,” said The Hourglass Foundation’s Executive Director, Kim Davidson.

READ MORE

 

Fleet Marketing


By Ed Pierce, Fleet Management Weekly’s Brand Acceleration

This white paper empowers managers to explore the science behind visual processing, its implications for marketing, and strategies for leveraging visual design to achieve your business objectives.

Research has consistently demonstrated that people remember visual information more readily than text. This phenomenon, known as the picture superiority effect, has significant implications for marketing.

Visual content is not just a tool, it’s a game-changer. It dramatically improves audience engagement, making our marketing efforts more efficient.

Investing in high-quality visual design is not just an aesthetic choice — it’s a strategic imperative for any business looking to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

READ MORE

 

EVSE Charging Infrastructure


By Elbert Walters III, Executive Director of Powering Chicago

Properly maintaining your EVSE Charging Infrastructure is an important component of ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of your EVSE Charging station.

While regulatory requirements vary by state, leading with a preventative approach protects your facility from costly repairs, minimizes downtime, and extends the lifespan of the equipment, maximizing the overall benefit of your investment.

Investing in scheduled maintenance and hiring qualified contractors prevent costly repairs and ensure compliance with safety standards. By prioritizing upkeep and professional service, you protect your investment and contribute to a reliable EV ecosystem.

READ MORE





Fleet Management Resources

 

AFLA
The Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association works with member companies to address key issues facing the entire industry and deliver leading-edge programs that advance their skills and enhance the environment in which they sell products and services.

Kingbee
Reimagining commercial van and fleet rentals. We upfit in-house, add your signage and ship your fleet vans to 48 states.

Ranger Design
Work van equipment tailored for your every need. Committed to developing products and solutions that help customers save time and money, do more with less, and meet – and exceed – their biggest goals.

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.

SuperVision
SuperVision is a fleet driver management solution for MVR & license monitoring, fleet management, fleet safety oversight and driver performance and retention.

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.

Wheels
Helping vehicle fleets exceed their business goals since 1939, Wheels is committed to truly understanding your unique needs and providing solutions to help you succeed.




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