OnStar Pilot Program Lets Parents Track Teen Drivers
General Motors' OnStar unit has unveiled a pilot program that will allow parents to track the real-time location of their teenagers when they are driving. Vehicles can be tracked by logging on to a GM website to view a map with the vehicle's exact location at any time or by getting text messages or email alerts. About 10,000 active U.S. OnStar subscribers will be invited to take part in the pilot program with the focus on GM owners who are parents with teen drivers. Other pilot programs are also under consideration.
Managers Gain New Fleet Operations Advantages with Fleet Director 8.5
Customers gain important new advantages with Fleet Director 8.5, Teletrac's just-released version of its industry-leading fleet management telematics solution. Managers can now improve critical profit-and-loss factors such as fuel consumption and safety performance by using new trending analytics to instantly spot performance highs and lows over any recent three-month period. Using Fleet Director 8.5, managers can sharpen decision making and focus attention on where it's needed most.
Ford’s Wholesale Volume Jumped Up in Second Quarter
Ford Motor Co. wholesaled 736,000 units in North America during the second quarter, up from 77,000 units a year ago. Ford appreciated the benefits to its operating profit, and auctions were happy to see the increase during a period when wholesale volumes have been down for some time.
Ford, Azure Partner to Offer F-Series Plug-in Hybrid
Ford is teaming with Canadian-based Azure Dynamics to convert the largest of its F-Series models into plug-in hybrids. The partners plan to offer a plug-in hybrid version of some of Ford's popular trucks, starting with the F-550 and later adding the F-450 and F-350 models. The technology would allow the trucks to operate in electric-only mode at low speeds while also reducing fuel consumption at higher speeds in hybrid mode. Anticipated range on battery power, overall fuel efficiency and pricing details have not been released yet. Marketing is especially aimed at commercial fleet buyers who are particularly sensitive to the rise in fuel prices.
PG&E Looks to Electrification for its Fleet Vehicles
David Meisel, director of transportation for San Francisco-based Pacific Gas & Electric, travels around the country advising state and federal regulators in Sacramento and Washington on many issues with trucks and energy. His other responsibility is running one of the largest combination gas and electric utility fleets in the U.S., a job he has held since 2007. Alternative fuel systems and the changes they bring have evolved as an important transition for the fleet. With the impact of rising fuel costs, PG&E is looking at electrification on vehicles where batteries are used not only to drive the truck but to power hydraulics, provide lighting, heat, air conditioning and external power while the truck is parked.
