NAFA’s 2020 Institute & Expo Virtual Conference — Register by August 31 and Receive Swag Box!
I&E attendees will receive the swag box of information, resources and useful gifts from our Expo sponsors. You’ll receive this extra benefit if you register by August 31.
NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) announces registration is now open for the 2020 Institute & Expo (I&E) Virtual Conference, September 14-17. Register now.
Mindful of the continuing uncertainty about live events and travel restrictions among member companies, NAFA pivoted from an in-person event to an online model ensuring that everyone can benefit from access to the essential tools and resources that I&E is so well known for.
NAFA’s 2020 Virtual Institute & Expo offers 25 educational sessions over an intensive four-day learning experience to keep professionals apprised of critical fleet management issues impacting you, including subjects straight from today’s headlines.
Equip Yourself for Change
Time's running out to equip yourself for change at the best price! This offer ends September 1 -- Boost your career and start benefiting now! Visit http://nafa.org/careerboost
Discounts and Monthly Payment Options Now Available
Whether you working from home or finding new ways to work in the office, we are all dealing with great uncertainty of what the future holds. Now is a great time to consider how you’re equipping yourself with the necessary fleet management skills to lead the inevitable change ahead. Boost your career and start benefiting now!
As Vehicles Become More Connected, New Methods to Hack Them Emerge
By Mike Sheldrick, Senior Editor
Scientists tell us that COVID-19 will be with us forever. Similarly, hacking -- benign or malign -- is likely to be with us forever.
Despite herculean efforts by all the good guys to root out the flaws in parts and systems controlled by software, the results could be, like the virus, catastrophic. Warns Noam Kehati, director of intelligence at SIXGILL, a cybersecurity company, “ As cars get more intricate and interconnected, new methods to penetrate and damage them are emerging and are being explored and discussed in dark and deep web forums.” Autonomous vehicles (and, as well no doubt, those with ADAS -- advanced driver assistance systems) employ millions of code lines, in addition to an assortment of unified systems and instruments, all of which are exposed to potentially being exploited and compromised.
Moreover, vehicles are being connected to the internet at an increasingly rapid pace. Already, more than 20 percent of vehicles in service are connected to the internet. In addition, there are connections via dedicated communications links between other vehicles, the roadway, and the transportation system itself.
Used-Vehicle Supply Low, But Stabilizing
The inventory of unsold used vehicles remains low but appears to be somewhat stabilizing in contrast to new-vehicle inventory that continues to fall, according to a Cox Automotive analysis of vAuto Available Inventory data.
The total U.S. supply of unsold used vehicles stood at 2.16 million vehicles at the start of this week. That is the lowest level in years and compares with 2.67 million vehicles in the same week a year ago. As a result, the national days’ supply of unsold used vehicles is around 33, down from 43 a year ago, which is closer to the traditional average. The days’ supply has been hovering in the 32 to 35 range since mid-June.
The shortages are primarily across the board with mainstream brands. Toyota again had the lowest inventory of used vehicles closely followed by Lexus and Ram. All had under a 30 days’ supply.
Read the article at Cox Automotive.
Budget Cuts, Calls To Defund Cops Threaten Police Vehicle Orders From Ford
Big budget cuts at some major metropolitan police departments, along with movements to defund departments, are putting a dent in orders for some law-enforcement vehicles, hitting Ford Motor Co. the hardest.
Ford is the leader of police-car manufacturers, providing about two-thirds of police vehicles in the U.S. and expects to lead in this segment. The vehicles provide steady profits and image-related benefits. The Police Interceptor, a highly modified Ford Explorer, is perhaps the most high-profile current vehicle.
The New York Police Department has one of the largest fleets in the country with 9,000 police vehicles. In June, the NYPD said it would cut $1 billion from its budget. The city specified savings of $5 million in deferred fleet purchases. In Los Angeles, the LAPD spent more than $3.8 million on pursuit-rated SUVs in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, down from almost $10 million two years ago.
Read the article at Detroit Free Press.
