Choices Expand for Safety-Conscious Consumers, as 90 Vehicles Earn IIHS Awards
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is recognizing 49 models for providing the highest level of safety — more than double the number that earned the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award last year. Another 41 vehicles earn TOP SAFETY PICK (without the plus), bringing the total number of 2021 award winners to 90, compared with 64 in February 2020.
“With these awards, we want to make it easy for consumers to find vehicles that provide good protection in crashes, sufficient lighting and effective front crash protection,” IIHS President David Harkey says. “Manufacturers have stepped up to meet the challenge, and the list of great options has grown to an impressive size this year.”
Of all manufacturers, Hyundai Motor Group, including the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands, has the most 2021 awards — 12 regular TOP SAFETY PICKs and five pluses. Volvo has the most TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards with nine.
Read the article at IIHS.
As Chip Shortage Cripples Auto Production, Biden Steps in
The auto industry might get federal relief from the shortage of semiconductor chips that has crippled vehicle production over the past several weeks.
President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday to review the U.S. supply chains of products in key industries, including semiconductor chips that are used in various electrical components for cars, personal electronics, military equipment and other items.
It is a proactive step to mitigate further production disruptions to the auto industry, which has been hit hard by the chips shortage.
Read the article at Detroit Free Press.
“Fragility” Due to the Increased Computerization of Vehicle Components
“Fragility” is a term that’s often being used to describe how the increased computerization of components is making vehicles more susceptible to breakdowns.
The 80/20 Rule and the Fleet Driver
Pareto’s 80/20 rule holds true for fleet drivers; a study revealed that 20% of drivers were involved in 79% of traffic incidents and 76% of violations. What to do? Ed Dubens writes an engaging article about how to train those 20 percenters.
One of the best articles I have read about electric vehicles and the value proposition for fleets is in this week’s issue. Marc Geller, a director with the Electric Auto Association, gave FMW a wide-ranging interview on the state of EVs, now especially bright in view of the renewed commitment from the Biden administration.
Fleet service providers: Want to close more deals faster and boost ROI? Last month, marketing executive Ed Pierce introduced a new Call to Action series: Account-Based Marketing. He continues with Part II this week – Key Accelerants.
Reminder: Work Truck Week goes live online next week -- March 8th through the 12th. Learn more about this must-attend virtual event for commercial fleet suppliers and managers.
Drive Safety!
Janice Sutton
Editor in Chief
Looking at the Used Vehicle Market Now
In this episode, we are speaking with Bill Bishop, Senior Vice President at FLD about what happened in the used vehicle market in 2020, and what we might expect this year.
