Upfitters Offer Dueling Approaches, Differing Strategies for Product Design
By Tod Trousdell, Fleet Marketing Consultant and Partner/RobertsTrousdell Communications
How do upfitters actually decide which products they’re going to develop each year? And, what goes into the design and manufacturing process that makes one upfitter different from another?
Looking for a little clarity on the subject, as I walked the floor at this year’s NAFA I & E, I decided to ask some of the industry’s top providers how they develop products for customer upfits.
At Ranger Design, product design is, perhaps, the most important function of the company, according to Peter Young, EVP of Business Development.
For the team at JP Poindexter-owned Masterack, determining which products to produce “revolves around the customer,” according to Wayne Steele, VP of Engineering.
Patriot Liner Unveils New Division: Patriot Fleet Solutions
Patriot Liner, one of the nation's fastest-growing aftermarket truck brands, proudly announces the launch of its new division, Patriot Fleet Solutions.
Utilizing Patriot Liner's industry-leading expertise and nationwide presence, this new division will streamline operations, optimize fleet performance, and deliver unmatched value for clients.
"With the introduction of Patriot Fleet Solutions, we are thrilled to expand our capabilities and provide unparalleled service and support to fleet management companies across the nation," said Josh DeLaune, Co-Founder at Patriot Liner.
GM Now Has the Hardware to Help an Electric Silverado Power Your House
Power outages cost American businesses about $150 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, so having a solution when power goes out is critical.
Some electric vehicles allow bi-directional charging, meaning they can receive power to charge their batteries, but can also give power to a home or business when the grid fails.
GM Energy sells bundle dubbed Ultium Home V2H Bundle that includes a bi-directional charger, an inverter, a home hub, and a dark start battery. This kit can dispense 9.6kW of power and can safely disconnect your home from the grid. Separately, GM Energy also offers a PowerBank to store energy from solar or off-peak grid power in case you want to prepare for the worst.
2024 NAFA I & E Wrap-Up: Palpable Buzz Teeming with Spirited Interactions
By Tod Trousdell, Fleet Marketing Consultant and partner, RobertsTrousdell Marketing and Communications
After several challenging years caused by the pandemic and a perception that it was a largely a government fleet-focused event, the NAFA I & E came roaring back with a 2024 edition that had fleet professionals buzzing.
Held on April 22-24, this year’s I & E saw over 2,100 attendees pack the San Antonio Convention Center for three spirited days of networking, learning, and exploring new products with their fleet peers.
The event also featured packed sessions, keynote speakers, an immersive Ride & Drive, and an interactive innovation zone where exhibiting companies displayed new products and services.
Your Teen Not Interested In Driving? They’re Not Alone
Driving used to be a rite of passage that opened up the world and set you free. However, some members of Gen Z haven’t been eager to get their license.
A new analysis seems to back this up as a mere 3.6% of drivers in the United States were found to be 19 years old or less. That makes them the smallest age demographic next to the number of drivers who were over 80.
Besides being able to connect with friends and family without having to travel anywhere, services like Lyft and Uber have opened up new doors. Cars and insurance have also become significantly more expensive, especially in the past few years, so that is likely playing a role as well.
