Audi’s New Fuel Ready for Testing
Officially called e-fuel, the new substance will be made available in both e-gasoline and e-diesel versions sometimes in the distant future.
The fuel is, in fact, a liquid isooctane produced from biomass in a two-step process.
Having created enough for a test run, Audi engineers are currently testing the solution to check for combustion and emission performances.
“Like all Audi e-fuels, the new fuel has many advantages,” said Reiner Mangold, head of product development at Audi. “It isn't dependent on crude oil, it is compatible with the existing infrastructure, and it offers the prospect of a closed carbon cycle.”
Read the article at autoevolution.
Mercedes Benz Joins the Car Subscription Service Providers
Mercedes-Benz Bank is piloting a new car subscription service - Mercedes me Flexperience - that allows customers to swap between up to 12 vehicles a year for a single monthly payment.
Through a smartphone app, customers manage their vehicle requirements online, ranging from choosing a car to arranging collection and delivery, with dealers playing a key role in providing the service.
Klaus Entenmann, CEO of Daimler Financial Services, said: “With our mobility and financial services expertise, we are in a position to provide our customers with maximum flexibility in the vehicle use, from digital vehicle selection and booking to vehicle change.”
Read the article at Asset Finance International.
GM to Launch an Airbnb Program for Your Car
This summer, General Motors Co. plans to start a pilot program that will enable car owners to rent out their vehicles when they aren’t using them.
GM's Maven Unit already rents vehicles to individual drivers, including customers looking for short-term wheels as they have through services such as Zipcar.
"As GM looks to grow its Maven unit, it’s plowing ahead with self-driving at its Cruise Automation unit in San Francisco. Cruise has developed driverless versions of the electric Chevrolet Bolt, plus an app to use the cars as robotaxis in a ride-hailing fleet starting next year. GM hasn’t yet decided whether to use Cruise’s app, a new invention or a partner for the planned autonomous-ride business or if they would use Maven or another marketing name, the people said."
Read the article at Bloomberg.
Trends & Insights
We all want to keep abreast of trends affecting our industry. Element’s Suzanne Benzion does just that in her article 6 Fleet Insights You Need to Know for 2018. It’s an overview of themes that surfaced in 2017 and trends they are watching in 2018. For even more insights, you may request a copy of Element’s Special Edition Infographic from Element’s Strategic Consulting team.
In last month’s Safety & Risk, Driving Dynamic's Art Liggio discussed the key factors driving the increases we are seeing in crash cost severity. This month, Art turns to how frequency affects severity and overall cost hikes and wise steps that fleet operators can take to reduce their exposure to these forces.
I have attended over 30 NAFA conferences and I have always learned something new – something that truly made a difference. Or met someone whom I knew I could call if I had a query. This April’s NAFA I&E in Anaheim is poised to have record attendance. That doesn’t surprise me. I’m just saying that if you have been before and you’re trying to decide whether you should go again, the answer is yes.
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Axalta Names Element Supplier of the Year
Element Fleet Management was once again recognized as Supplier of the Year by Axalta, a paint and coating manufacturing company.
The award thanks Element for their quality service in providing exceptional products and services to Axalta customers worldwide.
