By Fleet Management Weekly Staff

Escalent, a top research, data analytics, and advisory firm, works with vehicle manufacturers and service providers to help them develop products and services that better serve fleet businesses and decision-makers.

They also release an annual Fleet Technology Index (FTI) report, a study of fleet decision-makers that gauges emerging technologies among commercial vehicle and fleet businesses.

We spoke with Dania Rich-Spencer, Vice President of Escalent’s Automotive and Mobility Team, to learn more about this year’s report.

“The report certainly indicates that the future is bright for these advanced and emerging technologies. Fleets are very resilient. They’re committed to sustainability and success in the future.”

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By Brad Parker, Co-Founder and CEO, DealNow.com

By embracing insights-driven digital solutions, vehicle fleets can access a wider pool of inventory, make data-informed decisions, and provide a more transparent and efficient experience for both buyers and sellers.

New tech platforms are reimagining exciting possibilities for fleets to tap into and connect directly with consumers looking to buy or sell their vehicles. This approach bypasses the go-betweens typically involved in wholesale auctions and provides several advantages.

By adopting new technology platforms that facilitate direct-from-consumer acquisitions, fleets can expand their inventory sources, improve efficiency, and enhance security in transactions.

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By Sharath Muddaiah, Head of Portfolio Strategy for IoT Solutions, Giesecke+Devrient

The Internet of Things (IoT) has reshaped the automotive fleet industry, modernizing how fleet vehicles operate and interact with their environment.

Cellular connectivity serves as the backbone for IoT innovations in these connected vehicles, enabling a range of data-driven services that enhance functionality and safety. From a fleet industry perspective, IoT creates a network of interconnected devices that collect, share, and analyze data to improve fleet vehicle performance.

As technology changes, we can anticipate significant improvements in fleet vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, and user experiences. Improved connectivity will enable vehicles to communicate with each other and infrastructure, reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety.

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iSeeCars.com analyzed fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of model year 2018-2022 cars with car crashes that resulted in at least one occupant fatality to identify the most dangerous vehicles on U.S. roads today.

The Hyundai Venue, Chevy Corvette, and Mitsubishi Mirage are the three deadliest cars on American roads, based on fatal accidents per mile traveled. The Porsche 911, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Tesla Model Y, Mitsubishi Mirage G4, Buick Encore, Kia Forte, and Buick Envision round out the top 10 deadliest vehicles, with fatal accident rates between 2.8 and 4.9 times the average.

via iSeeCars.com

image: InsideEVs

Pedestrian safety is something modern American cars struggle with, partly because there’s no standard in place to test how a human head hitting a vehicle hood would fare in an impact.

Some new vehicles have hoods that automatically pop up before hitting a pedestrian, but not many can automatically retract the hood back to its original position after the impact is avoided. Volkswagen recently showcased how such a system would work.

Volkswagen’s Proactive Pedestrian Protection system will offer a function that automatically pops open the hood. The feature is intended to soften the impact for a pedestrian’s head. If it’s a false alarm, the hood automatically closes.

via InsideEVs

Consumers are starting to see the light at the end of the automotive market’s long, dark tunnel. New data from Cox Automotive shows that these economic improvements are sparking renewed activity in both new and used car markets, with retail sales surging compared to last year.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment from Morning Consult reported a 4.6% increase so far in November, continuing a steady rise over the last five months. The impact is clear: automotive sales were up significantly in October. Yet, new car inventory continues to grow, underscoring the need for greater incentives from automakers. October saw car sales up 13% compared to the same period last year, a clear sign of market recovery.

via Autoblog

The U.S. government’s automobile safety ratings will get a major update starting with the 2026 model year when regulators add new driver-assistance technologies and tests for protecting pedestrians.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it has finalized the changes, which were required by Congress under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. In addition to the five-star ratings for crash tests, the agency will add four new technologies including pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning, and intervention if a driver tries to move toward a vehicle in a blind spot.

via ABC News

By Cardata

The days of choosing between fleet vehicles or a Vehicle Reimbursement Program (VRP) are behind us. More and more companies are adopting a hybrid approach that blends and mixes both strategies, allowing for greater flexibility, scalability, cost effectiveness, and sustainability.

This mix and match strategy acknowledges that one size doesn’t fit all in the world of vehicle programs, and by combining fleet and VRP, businesses can better meet the needs of their mobile workforce while also driving toward their organizational goals and KPIs.

The hybrid approach to VRPs and fleets offers a balanced, flexible, and forward-thinking strategy for companies navigating the complexities of fleet management and employee mobility.

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By Ed Pierce, Fleet Management Weekly’s Brand Acceleration

Content marketing has become a crucial element in contemporary marketing strategies, providing advantages that traditional advertising often fails to achieve.

This impactful approach centers on the creation and dissemination of valuable, relevant, and consistent content aimed at engaging and retaining a well-defined audience, ultimately leading to profitable customer actions.

A fundamental reason for the effectiveness of content marketing lies in its capability to foster trust and credibility among your audience. It also plays a significant role in boosting brand visibility by improving your online presence.

Content marketing serves as a powerful means for lead generation. By creating content tailored to various stages of the buyer’s journey, you can engage potential customers and guide them through the sales funnel.

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(Yoda Image Licensed from Deposit Photos)

By Laura Jozwiak, Wheels

While Yoda guided Luke Skywalker to master the light side of the Force, his wisdom offers surprising relevance to today’s world of customer service.

Yoda’s teachings can remind us to approach our work with purpose, resilience, and clarity. One quote stands out: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

Successful customer service now requires a strategic blend of rapport, results, and data-driven insights that deliver real value. Navigating these high expectations might feel daunting, but Yoda’s reminder rings clear: our commitment must go beyond simply trying.

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