Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 Electric Vans Support Walmart’s InHome Delivery Service
Walmart, which plans to expand its InHome grocery delivery service to 62 million US households, will deploy Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 vans in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, northwest Arkansas, Orlando and the San Francisco Bay area by the end of the year.
The BrightDrop 400 is produced at GM’s CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. It features a 360-degree HD Surround Vision camera, blind-zone steering assist, auto-closing doors and low-step ergonomic design.
Walmart drivers participated in a pilot with GM to assess the vehicle in live operations. “During the pilot, we listened closely to our InHome associates’ feedback and were impressed by the vans’ performance in real-world scenarios,” said Warren Moore, VP of Dedicated Delivery at Walmart in the US.
Navigating the Inventory Landscape: Why Fleets are Taking a New Look at Technology-Driven Acquisition Strategies
By Brad Parker, Co-Founder and CEO, DealNow.com
By embracing insights-driven digital solutions, vehicle fleets can access a wider pool of inventory, make data-informed decisions, and provide a more transparent and efficient experience for both buyers and sellers.
New tech platforms are reimagining exciting possibilities for fleets to tap into and connect directly with consumers looking to buy or sell their vehicles. This approach bypasses the go-betweens typically involved in wholesale auctions and provides several advantages.
By adopting new technology platforms that facilitate direct-from-consumer acquisitions, fleets can expand their inventory sources, improve efficiency, and enhance security in transactions.
Escalent’s Fleet Technology Index Report Shines a Light on the Future of Fleet Technologies
By Fleet Management Weekly Staff
Escalent, a top research, data analytics, and advisory firm, works with vehicle manufacturers and service providers to help them develop products and services that better serve fleet businesses and decision-makers.
They also release an annual Fleet Technology Index (FTI) report, a study of fleet decision-makers that gauges emerging technologies among commercial vehicle and fleet businesses.
We spoke with Dania Rich-Spencer, Vice President of Escalent’s Automotive and Mobility Team, to learn more about this year’s report.
"The report certainly indicates that the future is bright for these advanced and emerging technologies. Fleets are very resilient. They’re committed to sustainability and success in the future."
Adapt and Thrive
We have long appreciated the fleet consulting work that Mercury Associates performs. So, when we had the opportunity to sit down with Mercury’s John Martin, who began his fleet career with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we were eager to learn what the venerable company and their clients are focusing on in 2025.
Josh Green, founder and CEO of Inspiration Mobility Group, gives us insight into how his company partners with fleets to set up optimal charging solutions. Navigating this part of the fleet electrification process has its unique challenges.
Do not miss Wheels’ latest Let’s Speak Fleet video “Navigating Fleet Sustainability, Compliance and Regulations” starring Carlos Oropeza and Sara Sweeney!
As eDriving's Sarah Bechtold advises, Give the Gift of Safety this holiday season!
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Automakers Worried About High Prices Under Tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. The move is meant to force the countries to stop the flow of migrants and drugs across America’s borders. He also threatened to hike tariffs on all Chinese products by 10%.
The automotive industry has reacted with alarm to the plan, which could dramatically increase the prices of many cars and trucks.
Economist Patrick Anderson, who studies the car market, told The New York Times the move would be “a two-alarm fire for the auto industry.” He added, “There is probably not a single assembly plant in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas that would not immediately be affected by a 25% tariff.”
