Experts on the Fleet Market
We continue our conversation with Wheels’ president Dan Frank, scion of the family that founded Wheels and the fleet management industry 75-years ago. In an excerpt of our recent interview with him published in last week’s Fleet Management Weekly, we spoke with him about the relevance of driver safety and the role of telematics in managing the complexities of today’s fleets. This week, we talk with him about the state of the fleet industry.
Have you been following industry expert Ed Pierce’s monthly column on fleet marketing: ‘A Call to Action (For Fleet Providers)’? This week, Ed speaks about the high value of an integrated marketing plan in his latest chapter: ‘Einstein’s Argument for Integrated Marketing’ – don’t miss it!
We are working with NAFA this coming week to film and report from the organization’s International Fleet Academy in Orlando. Last year’s IFA was superb and we’re excited to once again meet and talk with our global fleet colleagues.
Check out our new, enhanced website: FleetManagementWeekly.com.
Janice Sutton
Executive Editor
The Character of a Good Business Partner
As what was PHH transitions and transforms into Element Fleet Management they are working closely with customers to resolve any inevitable hiccups, and to help those customers understand what new benefits and opportunities are available.
Wheels’ Dan Frank on the State of the Fleet Industry
Dan Frank, grandson of Wheels’ founder Zollie Frank, and son of Wheels’ CEO Jim Frank, is just the third president of the company that this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. In 1939, Wheels became the first automobile leasing and management company in the United States.
When we spoke with Dan at the recent AFLA Conference, we asked him to give us his thoughts on the state of the fleet industry and he said this about growth opportunities, " I think as the economy continues to evolve we will see different areas continue to get stronger, other areas will get more efficient, and maybe they will need fewer people and those will shrink. We have traditionally seen that, but I think in the big picture, as vehicles get safer, more fuel efficient, more cost effective, companies are going to want to deploy more of them."
Vincentric Releases Hybrid Analysis; One-third of Hybrids Save Consumers Money
Vincentric, the automotive industry leader in cost-of-ownership data, released its most recent Hybrid Analysis in which 10 of 31 hybrid vehicles analyzed were identified as having a lower total cost-of-ownership than their closest all-gasoline counterpart. Over the past three years the percentage of cost-effective hybrids has dropped from 44% in the 2012 analysis, to 39% in 2013, to now just over 32%.
Among the 10 hybrids with lower ownership costs were the Lexus CT200h and the Toyota Avalon Hybrid, which when compared to their all-gasoline counterparts had savings of over $7,600 and $3,200 respectively. Additional hybrids from Acura, Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Lincoln, and Toyota also showed cost advantages. However, when the costs to own and operate all 31 hybrid vehicles were taken into account, the average five-year cost-of-ownership for hybrids was $1,339 more than their all-gasoline powered counterparts.
LeasePlan International’s Ricardo Fonzaghi to Speak at NAFA IFA
LeasePlan USA has agreed to be a sponsor for NAFA’s International Fleet Academy held November 5-7 in Orlando, FL.
LeasePlan will also participate on two panels during the conference. Ricardo Fonzaghi, international sales manager, LeasePlan International, will give insight into Regional Differences for South America from an FMC perspective Wednesday, November 5 and will also help outline the pros and cons of outsourcing Friday, November 7.
