Ed Bobit's Publisher's Page

 "I would have all the professors in colleges, all the teachers in schools of every kind, including those in Sunday schools, agree that they would teach only what they know, that they would not palm off guesses as demonstrated truths." -Robert G. Ingersoll: What I want for Christmas.

 

Leading off with a bit of potpourri for this month, I would like to doff my hat to both the NAFA and AFLA convention committees. Having just returned from a week in New York, attending meetings, discussing current crises, listening to leaders, participating in the Fleet Fair, enjoying hospitality suites and just plain talking with literally hundreds of our readers, makes me feel that our industry is following a wise course.

For the hundreds that attended as I did, it was an extreme help toward understanding fundamental questions of the day; and it provided the opportunity to obtain the solutions. The panels, individual speakers and seminars were well planned, let by experts and concisely executed.

My only regret is that the thousands more who were not there have missed another golden opportunity to take a step toward professionalism. They and their management are the losers in every way. One important item that came out of my observation and discussions reality perplexes me; and it should perplex the industry. There were obviously two directly opposing views extended. John Sawhill, FEO's number two man, made it clear that there would be a plentiful supply of gasoline this summer. Plan your vacation and so on.;

A top management man whom I highly respect informed me that he has instructed his leasing company's used car department (it's one of the biggest) to 'get rid of all big car inventory by the end of May,' since there will undoubtedly be another severe gas shortage that may not bode well for big car values during the summer.

Only time will tell what will happen, but it is surely an area worth watching carefully by all of us.

Sawhill also strongly supports maintaining current reduced speed limits for safety and fuel savings. He stated that we are now saving 100,000 to 150,000 barrels per day with the 50 or 55 MPH limits. I took the interest to call the National Safety Council today to find out what their fatality statistics were under our new top speeds. They are down 25% for the first two months of the year. Impressive. And welcome.

I then tried to find out what was the reduced total mileage traveled during this period. They do not know. They guess at 'maybe 10 to 15%.' I believe that it is more.

Since 70% of all traffic fatalities occur within a 25-mile radius of one's home, we are really talking mainly about the other 30% for the high mileage fleet drivers who are constantly on the interstates and states roads. Certainly the big truck rigs are less efficient at the reduced speeds; and the teamsters are calling for repeal, as is the head of the California State Highway Patrol and others. Another problem worth pondering, and acting on.

Duke Tookman, the very able dealer and leasing management leader, is working on some definite research for a total report to the industry and your cooperation is requested.

It you have any experience, documentation or reaction from your work on the following topics, it would be valuable to him.

 

1. Problems with the new interlock system.
2. Problems encountered with the exhaust emission devices; and does it affect the engine if disconnected. (Factory manuals and epistles differ on this.)
3. Have any factory personnel actually asked you about what you want or would like on a car; i.e. went windows, windshield antennae, etc.
4. Odometer inequities, nonenforcement of the federal regs and how you may be affected in fleet sales versus the causal sale.

 

If you have something to contribute, please send your letter to Duke Tookman at South East Chevrolet, 8815 Broadway, Cleveland, OH 44105; or to me and I will pass it along. He promises to make an industry report available when tabbed.

Finally, Lincoln-Mercury's fleet impresario (and the only thing more handsome than a Mark in Dearborn), John Rowley hit me with a most provocative idea. Why not develop a real top level executive fleet seminar that would bring a limited group (perhaps 25 or 30) of veteran fleet and industry men together for a two-day shirt-sleeve session on key topics not offered by NAFA, AFLA or AMA.

As we got into it, we thought of: 'How to make a presentation to management;' 'Supervisory analysis and programming of computer operating data;' 'How to set up a viable liason with the general sales manager and his sales force;' 'Getting max um utilization from your leasing company's resources;' and, undoubtedly, other vital topics just not available anywhere else.

If the thought is a good one or if you have some topics that should be considered for such a seminar, let John or me know. We might even get some golf in, too.