Safe Fleet Acquires Leading Rolling Tarp System Provider
Safe Fleet has extended its tarp system capabilities with the acquisition of Merlot Vango Tarping Solutions, an industry-leading provider of rolling tarpaulin systems for flatbed and platform trailers.
Merlot Vango Tarping Solutions is a leading designer, manufacturer, installer and servicer of innovative rolling tarpaulin systems and replacement parts. Merlot’s unique segmented design provides the industry’s highest level of durability and lowest lifetime costs for fleets of all sizes and for truck and trailer owner/operators.
Only a Few Cars in America are Selling for Less Than $20,000
Last week, data suggested that $20,000 is no longer an adequate sum to park a nice late-model used vehicle in your driveway. Some numbers: in 2019, the average cost of a used vehicle in America stood at $23,351. Just four years later, that number rocketed to $34,491 in 2023.
There are only three new vehicles in 2023 with an average transaction price less than $20,000: the Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa and Kia Rio. Last month the average buyer paid $17,099 for a new 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage. That represents a discount of a couple hundred bucks off the price listed on the car's window sticker.
How Car IQ is Killing Credit Cards & Saving Fleet Budgets
Car IQ works with fleet companies to allow their cars to pay for things like car washes and gas—without a credit card and without the driver doing anything other than driving the car and pumping the gas.
Car IQ enables a vehicle to connect directly with a merchant for a transaction. Car IQ uses a unique combination of several different technologies to create a frictionless payment experience.
There are no limits to what a payment system for cars can do. When the vehicle is allowed to pay for things like repairs, parking, and tolls, it frees up the time of drivers and fleet managers, while also reducing fraud.
Tesla Tops Car Brands for Reviver Digital License Plate Adoption in California
Reviver reports that more than 4,000 Tesla drivers in California have selected the Reviver RPlate for their electric vehicle. This strong response positions Tesla as the leading brand whose owners in this trend-setting state appreciate the unique benefits the RPlate has to offer.
"Tesla is a truly iconic brand at the leading edge of automotive design," said Reviver Founder & Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston. "We are very proud that such astute car owners and lovers have selected the RPlate for their ride. Their dedication to technological advancements aligns seamlessly with our mission to transform the automotive industry through cutting-edge digital solutions."
Conservative States Are Piling New Taxes on EVs
Texas has become the latest state to impose new taxes on EV owners. Drivers will have to pay an extra $200 each year to register their battery-powered cars and there will be an additional $400 fee when anyone buys a new EV.
Other states imposing such fees include Washington, Wyoming, Ohio and Arkansas, all of which charge EV owners at least $200 per year to run their cars. Even the highest taxes won’t make an electric car more expensive to run than its gas-powered equivalent.
