Introducing The Fleet Poll
When it comes to hot trends and burning questions, there’s plenty going on in the world of fleet. This week we officially launch The Fleet Poll, sponsored by our friends at FLD, so that we can get your take on what is happening out there. We all have our thoughts, opinions and prognostications - and we encourage our readers to participate in the process.
The poll will gauge industry sentiment around five key topics dominating the fleet landscape, including: Vehicle Availability; Supply Chain Issues/Shortages; Gas Prices and Inflation; EV Integration; and Industry Disruption.
This week’s question is “Are supply chain issues getting better, worse or staying the same?” CLICK HERE to TAKE THE POLL.
Robust AFLA Conference Surfaces Important Issues
by Richard Mallek, Director of Business Development, FLD Remarketing
Like most of fleet, the team here at FLD was eager to attend last week’s AFLA Conference in Tucson – especially given that this would be the first time the full AFLA family would be together since the dawn of Covid.
And while we were unsure what to expect, this year’s conference turned out to be a well-attended affair with – by unofficial accounts – more than five hundred attendees, a near 40% increase over 2021.
It also turned out to be a highly productive, fast-paced event with attendees going from one informative session to the next from sunup to sundown.
No matter whether you’re a fleet management company, an upfitter, a remarketer, or one of the scores of allied service providers, there are five topics that are dominating the discussion and dictating your approach to business.
New Jersey Legislators Aim To Ban Most In-Car Subscriptions
Paying a subscription for things like heated seats or remote start is something most people aren't enthusiastic about. Luckily for them, neither are lawmakers in New Jersey.
Two state legislators are proposing a bill that would ban car companies from "[offering consumers] a subscription service for any motor vehicle feature" that "utilizes components and hardware already installed on the motor vehicle at the time of purchase." Yes, that would include a pre-installed heating element in a seat. In fact, that's explicitly mentioned.
The bill has one stipulation, however. The subscription would only be unlawful if there was no "ongoing expense to the dealer, manufacturer, or any third-party service provider." In other words, if an automaker or other associated party can prove that it costs money to maintain the feature and/or service in question, then it'd be legally allowed. This would include services like OnStar and such.
Big Vehicles and Big Business
We were alarmed by an article from NBC News about children who are at risk of being killed by a large vehicle like an SUV or pickup (aka fleet vehicles) with a big front blind zone. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. has announced legislation that would make safety features such as front cameras or front sensors mandatory. We can see fleets leading the way here.
President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is a boon to businesses looking to expand their EV footprint. But what does the IRA mean to fleets? Wheels Donlen VP Maria Neve gives us a comprehensive tutorial.
We love useful apps so when we talked with Stuart Donnelly, President of Mobility at The Miles Consultancy, we were eager to learn about the new super app the company is launching. Stuart tells us all about it.
Is there a topic you would like FMW to explore? If so, please send me an email. We always appreciate our readers' suggestions.
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
When Should Fleet Managers Think About Regulatory Compliance?
If your organization is experiencing growth and change, then it’s important for your fleet to think about regulatory compliance.
