By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

Patriot Fleet Solutions is an intermediary, a one-stop-shop solution that provides FMCs with a centralized business model and access to a nationwide network of dealers.

As an offshoot of Patriot Liner, one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most successful spray-on bed liner brands, Patriot Fleet Solutions can leverage Patriot Liner’s extensive expertise and nationwide presence to benefit FMCs.

Despite being a relatively new division, the company has already managed to build 1500 vehicles, generate significant revenue, and ink relationships with large FMCs.

“What we offer is centralized access to a network of dealers,” says Henry Chedraoui, Vice President of Patriot Fleet Solutions. “Our network of dealers allows us to find localized solutions for FMCs with clients across the country.”

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Photo: Flete CEO Drake Bauer

By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

While much of fleet management is done online, fleets often rely on a patchwork of disparate systems prone to inaccuracies and miscommunication. Flete is here to change that.

According to Drake Bauer, CEO, and co-founder of Flete, they deliver a powerful, personalized interface that connects all management functions into one cohesive system. Drake sat down with Fleet Management Weekly to talk about how Flete is using innovative technology to upend the fleet industry.

“Our focus at Flete is to improve fleet managers’ workflows, from automating daily reports to normalizing spending by VMRS code. We even provide a better interface for rental or lease inspections. We’ve serviced many fleets nationwide in industries like trucking, car-share rentals, and service businesses.”

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

The Work Fleet Forum returns to the Palms Resort and Casino in Las Vegas November 12-14, 2024. The event brings together top work fleet leaders in a unique setting that’s different from the typical trade show or conference.

Broken into three days of small group and face-to-face interaction, Work Fleet Forum keeps things moving with three days of intensive interactions, themed events and just plain fun.

“The Work Fleet Forum is where fleet managers and service providers come together to tackle the real challenges head-on. It’s not just about networking; it’s about sharing strategies that drive safer, more efficient fleets forward,” said Anthony Fasano, General Manager of the Work Fleet Forum.

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NHTSA announced its list of model year 2025 vehicles selected for testing as part of the agency’s 5-Star Safety Ratings under its New Car Assessment Program.

Thirty-seven vehicles have been selected for testing this year, including eight electric and hybrid models. The vehicles will be evaluated in a variety of crash scenarios, including frontal, side and rollover crashes. NHTSA also announced the five vehicles it will test to verify the performance of certain advanced driver assistance systems.

NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said., “The 5-Star Safety Ratings program motivates automakers to integrate advanced safety technologies into a wider range of vehicles, helping to save lives and reduce injuries on our nation’s roads.”

via NHTSA

While some sellers are transparent about the car’s history, others may attempt to hide the damage. Buyers should be cautious — especially in markets where flood-damaged cars are popping up more — as they can have serious hidden issues that may not be immediately apparent.

Flood damage can wreak havoc on vehicles, especially on modern cars equipped with complex electronics. The immediate concern is the water affecting mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, and brakes. However, the long-term issues tend to be electrical, with problems cropping up in everything from the car’s computer systems to its wiring harness. Even worse, the damage may not show up until weeks or months after purchase.

via Autoblog

Cold weather impacts your EV’s range and performance because ions flow through battery cells more slowly. Here’s how to get the best out of your EV in the winter months.

If you’ve got a garage, put your EV in it. (If it’s full of stuff, this is a great incentive to clean it out.) And if you’re out and want to park, choose a parking garage when possible. The warmth of the garage will help your car hold battery charge for longer and charge more quickly.

If you charge at home, keep your EV plugged in when you start to warm it so the battery’s charge won’t be tapped. Ideally, plug the vehicle in and run the heating system for 20-30 minutes before driving.

via Electrek

Insurance companies have financial reasons to want car accidents to be rare and the injuries they cause to be minor. A group of them power their own safety lab – the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Federal rules require that a car sound an audible signal for 4 to 8 seconds and offer a visual reminder for at least 60 seconds if a driver is unbuckled.

“In contrast, for a good rating from IIHS, vehicles have to have an audible reminder that lasts at least 90 seconds if any of the occupied front seats remains unbuckled, as well as meet volume standards and other conditions,” the institute says. It also requires a 30-second reminder if a rear occupant is unbuckled.

via Kelley Blue Book

At Low Clearance Map, we leverage cutting-edge data science and knowledge mining techniques to build the most comprehensive clearance database available for logistics and fleet safety.

Our database is over 17,000 structures. Whether you’re accessing through a subscription-based CSV download or via our API, you’ll receive unparalleled coverage with the highest standards of accuracy and precision.

Low Clearance Map adds an extra layer of precision with Hazard Headings. This directional data is provided for each clearance point, significantly reducing false-positive alerts and ensuring your fleet is warned only when truly necessary.

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By Bill Bishop, SVP Marketing, FLD 

FLD has developed the Sentiment Index: an in-depth, quarterly look at how top fleet managers feel about 7 key indicators that have an outsized effect on the fleet industry.

We asked members of our Customer Advisory Board – as well as some of the industry’s top fleet managers – to tell us how they were feeling about these 7 topics at the beginning of Q3 this year.

The first Sentiment Index taken during Q3 showed that our panel of top fleet managers was mildly positive on the industry.

While events of the last few years make it hard to predict where the industry is definitively headed, one thing’s for sure. Our team at FLD will continue striving to better understand the important dynamics at play in fleet.

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By Bradley J. Smith, Manager, Mercury Associates

Over the past six decades, regulatory frameworks have significantly impacted fleet operations. As emissions control measures and efficiency upgrades evolve, the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining vehicles have risen.

Recently, the EPA issued the “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards” for light and medium-duty vehicles, effective for model year 2027 and beyond.

This ongoing trend of regulation and new compliance requirements keeps fleet operators vigilant and presents continuous challenges in maintaining compliance.

By preparing for these shifts, fleet operators can position themselves to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and capitalize on the opportunities presented by a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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