The State of Fleet
What’s the biggest problem facing fleet? Will EVs change the face of our industry? How long have you been around this industry anyway?
These are just some of the questions FLD has been asking in their weekly fleet polls (as featured in their weekly ad, and elsewhere), as Rich Mallek wraps up in his column today. We certainly appreciate these timely insights.
Speaking of “The State of Fleet," that’s something we’re looking forward to hearing all about at the upcoming NETS Annual STRENGTH IN NUMBERS conference in Ann Arbor on October 5th and 6th — from a safety perspective. Have you registered yet?
Then, the following week, we are excited to learn all about what’s happening from a corporate fleet perspective at AFLA’s Forward Together conference in Tucson from October 10th through 13th. Are you registered?
Ted Roberts
President
New-Vehicle Prices Increase for Fifth Straight Month, Set Record Again in August
September 12, 2022 - The average price paid for a new vehicle in the U.S. in August topped July’s record and kept the average transaction price (ATP) solidly above the $48,000 mark, according to new data released today by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company.
The Kelley Blue Book new-vehicle ATP increased to $48,301 in August 2022, beating the previous high of $48,080 set in the prior month. August 2022 prices rose 0.5% ($222) month over month from July, and 10.8% ($4,712) year over year from August 2021.
New-vehicle inventory days’ supply held steady in the mid-to-high 30s during the summer and is showing signs of increasing. In August, days’ supply was 43% higher than it was in the same timeframe of 2021, when inventory shortages first started to impact the market.
Congress Forces NHTSA to Address Keyless Safety Hazards. One Automaker ‘s Approach Shows Why Regulations Matter
September 9, 2022 - In 2006, NHTSA revised the definition of the key from solely a physical object to include the electronic code used as the vehicle’s unique identifier in these new keyless systems.
This change created a loophole that automakers were able to exploit to technically comply with the standard, even as it created a fleet of keyless ignition vehicles that allow drivers to turn off the engine without putting the transmission in Park, and exit with the key fob, leaving the vehicle free to roll.
The MY 2018 Pacifica Hybrid became the first FCA keyless ignition vehicle to have an automatic engine idle shutdown. But the feature did not spread to other carlines. The FCA story shows why, absent regulation, safety features are an inconsistent patchwork from manufacturer to manufacturer and even within a single manufacturer.
Excitement is Building for AFLA’s Forward Together Conference in Tucson
Excitement is building for AFLA’s Forward Together conference in Tucson in October. There’s an added perk for corporate fleet buyers who are first-time attendees: free registration when you become a member.
Better Headlights, Crashworthiness Boost Toyota Tundra to Highest Award
September 7, 2022 - The 2022 Toyota Tundra crew cab, a large pickup, earns a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to improved performance in the two small overlap front crash tests and better headlights.
The Tundra is available with good or acceptable headlights, depending on the trim level, as well as a standard front crash prevention system that earns superior ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and the daylight vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. The popular pickup also earns an advanced rating in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test, though that evaluation is not a requirement for a 2022 award.
The Tundra’s ratings represent a substantial improvement over the 2021 model year, which fell short of an award because of marginal and poor ratings in the driver- and passenger-side small overlap tests as well as marginal headlights.
