Insurers Anxious About Autonomous Cars & Shrinking Profits
Automakers aren't the only ones concerned about self-driving cars. Insurance companies have taken notice, too -- and they're warning investors that autonomous vehicles could put some big, ugly dents in their bottom lines.
That's because self-driving vehicles will cause fewer accidents than those with human drivers. Fewer accidents means less risk, and in the world of insurance, less risk means lower rates. That, in turn, means slimmer profit margins for insurance companies.
Missing Art Spinella
We mourn the loss of Art Spinella, journalist, auto industry analyst and detective novelist. He passed away February 20th of congestive heart failure at the age of 68. Surviving him are his wife Stephanie, five children, six grandchildren, and so many, many friends. Oregon ocean-side town Bandon was his home.
Art and Stephanie founded CNW Research in the 80s. Art had a unique take on the automotive industry and was widely consulted, read and quoted by its leaders. CNW’s Retail Automotive Summary has been featured many times in Fleet Management Weekly and in our sister publications. (Here is what Used Car Market Report editor Jon LeSage had to say about Spinella's legacy.)
Mike Sheldrick, a former journalist-colleague of Art’s, and I spent an idyllic afternoon and evening at their place in Bandon several summers ago. What a warm, delightful and unforgettable man I met that day. Our condolences to his family; he will be greatly missed.
Janice Sutton
Executive Editor
Logical Approaches to Sustainability
Achieving your fleet's sustainability goals requires diligence and thoughtfulness. But you can come up with some interesting and wildly successful combinations, just like this fleet in Eugene, Oregon, did.
Wheels Recall Communication Program Earns American Business Award
Wheels, Inc. has won an American Business Award for Sales & Customer Service. The company’s Recall Communications program took home a Bronze “Stevie” award in one of the Innovation in Customer Service categories.
“More than 40 million vehicles were recalled in the U.S in 2014, affecting millions of fleet and non-fleet motorists alike,” said Gail Wheeler, Wheels’ assistant vice president of marketing. “We tasked ourselves with developing an automated system that proactively identifies the vehicles in our clients’ fleets that may be impacted by each recall, and provides the communication processes necessary to ensure driver awareness and action.”
NAFA’s International Fleet Academy Just Gets Better
Past attendees of NAFA's International Fleet Academy have come to expect a lot -- and the reality is that IFA just gets better. This year, IFA will be co-located with NAFA I&E in Orlando -- providing more education and networking opportunities than ever.
