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Auto Fleet Market Trends Blog

Short-Sighted Management: What Not to Do in a Recession

May 26, 2009

I am dismayed at the number of fleet managers who have lost their jobs due to corporate cutbacks. Similarly, I am amazed at the short-sightedness of today's senior management making these decisions without regard to the implications of lesser-qualified individuals managing one of their largest asset classes. I predict that companies that downgrade the expertise of their in-house management will be on the wrong side of history and will be the poster children of what not to do in a recession.

Tags: company downsizing, fleet management, Fleet Manager, layoffs, organizational restructuring, recession

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:59 AM | » Comments(4)

OEM Parts Prices Increase as Parts Availability Decreases

May 19, 2009

Slow retail sales have prompted not only closure of assembly plants, but also component factories, which is delaying parts deliveries. OEMs are also hiking parts prices, with some experiencing double-digit percentage increases. The dramatic slowdown of automotive sales has also created a "financial crunch" for many parts manufacturers, with many second-tier suppliers going out of business. This portends a difficult environment for fleets to manage accident repair costs.

Tags: Accident Management, accident repair costs, budgetary constraints, CEI, Corporate Claims Management, OEMs

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Tuesday, May 19, 2009 7:25 AM | » Comments(0)

The Dangers of Extending Replacement Cycles

May 12, 2009

Vehicle replacement policy is one of the most critical aspects of fleet management. Nearly all fleet-related expenses, both fixed and operating, are influenced by when a vehicle is replaced. In a recessionary economy, senior management demands expense reductions and there is pressure to defer vehicle replacements. However, such a policy change could actually prove to be counterproductive to the intended goal.

Tags: fleet expenses, fleet operations, fleet replacement policy, recession, replacement cycles, replacement vehicles, vehicle lifecyles, vehicle replacements

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Tuesday, May 12, 2009 9:59 AM | » Comments(6)

Put Your Fleet on a Diet

May 4, 2009

Vehicles get better fuel mileage when not loaded with unnecessary weight. An extra 100 lbs. in a vehicle could reduce mpg up to 2 percent. Typically, the chief culprit responsible for accumulating unnecessary weight is drivers. Over the course of a vehicle assignment, drivers accumulate a "cargo" of dated sales materials, point of sale demos, and seldom-used tools carried in trunks, storage bins, and back seats. You'd be surprised how quickly lbs. add up.

Tags: Cargo, extra weight, Fleet Diet, fuel, trunk weight, unnecessary weight

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Monday, May 4, 2009 10:22 AM | » Comments(1)

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AUTHOR BIO

Mike Antich

Editor & Associate Publisher

Mike Antich has been covering the fleet management and vehicle remarketing markets for more than 20 years. During this period, Mike has written or edited more than 4,600 articles on the subjects of fleet management, manufacturer fleet activities, the fleet leasing industry, and vehicle remarketing.

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