Fleet Logistics UK: Turbulent Times Provide Opportunity for New Fleet Policies
The current turbulence and uncertainty in the fleet market surrounding WLTP and the outlawing of fossil fuel and hybrid vehicles in just 12-15 years’ time makes this an ideal time for companies to review their fleet policies for the better. So says Fleet Logistics UK and Ireland.
The Birmingham-based fleet management specialist says companies now have an ideal opportunity to review their fleet policies and supply chains, and to engage and consult with driver populations to deliver robust strategies for the future.
In recent weeks, various issues have arisen to further muddy the already murky UK fleet landscape. The Government announced that from 2035 – possibly now 2032 - hybrids will be banned along with petrol and diesels cars, meaning only new electric and alternative fueled vehicles will be available for sale from that date.
U.S. Highway Deaths Declined in 2019
Preliminary numbers indicate the U.S. highway death toll tumbled by about 2% last year marking the second consecutive annual decline, according to the National Safety Council, if the initial estimate holds when federal regulators release final data.
The NSC pointed to a variety of possible factors that could have led to last year’s reduction in highway fatalities, notably including legislation targeting “common crash causes,” such as drunk and drugged driving, distracted driving and excessive speeds.
Experts are just beginning to pour over data to try to get a better handle on what is happening on the highway. Indeed, it is far from clear why highway deaths rose by nearly 20% from 2010, when the economy bottomed out, through 2018, when the total rose to 40,231.
Read the article at The Detroit Bureau.
GM Enhances myChevrolet Mobile App’s Energy Assist Features
General Motors is working to simplify and improve the charging experience for its EV owners and has announced that it is adding several enhancements to myChevrolet mobile app's Energy Assist feature, first available for Bolt EV customers in 2017.
The app is available on select Apple and Android devices and provides Bolt EV owners access to all Bolt-compatible charging station locations, regardless of the charge point operator. Bolt EV owners using the app can now view more than 40,000 charging stations in North America.
New enhancements of Energy Assist include: Real-Time Charging Station Availability, Payment, Owner Reviews and Ratings of Stations and Preference Settings.
Read the article at CleanTechnica.
A Safety Feature By Any Other Name Can Really Be Confusing
AAA examined 34 vehicle brands for model year 2018 and found a confusing morass of terms for driver assistance systems.
One manufacturer's "advanced blind spot monitoring" is another's "lane change assistant." Which should not be confused with "lane assist," which, in another car, might be called "intelligent lane intervention." One is a warning if someone is in the lane beside you; the other takes over your steering to keep you within the lines.
Consider collision mitigation or automatic emergency braking — a system that hits the brakes for you if you're about to collide with something. There are 40 unique names for that kind of system, AAA found, including "City Safety," "Smart Brake Support," "Pedestrian Protection," "BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist" and "Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian Detection (Front Assist)."
Read the article at NPR.
NH Business Review Names Merchants Fleet’s Amanda E. Rogers as a 2020 Outstanding Woman in Business
Merchants Fleet is pleased to announce VP of Marketing & Innovation Amanda E. Rogers was honored with a 2020 Outstanding Women in Business Award from NH Business Review.
The annual awards celebrate the successes and achievements of women who have had a lasting impact on New Hampshire’s business community as leaders and role models.
Rogers was selected for her track record as a young professional and executive who drives award-winning results. Since joining Merchants in January 2018, she led a successful corporate rebrand, a web launch, and a move to a new headquarters. She stood up the company’s first Innovation Department, a corporate strategic marketing pursuit team, and a Futures team. Her team also launched the company’s Fleet Summit, an event with over 400 attendees from the fleet industry including representatives from Ford, General Motors, and more.
