Vehicle Research

By Cindy Brauer

Once a tedious manual process involving faxes, telephone calls, and e-mails, moving Siemens fleet vehicles around the country to new assignments is now almost entirely automated, thanks to a Web-based management system.

Tags: Auto Driveaway, Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ford Fusion, Siemens, Vehicle Relocation

By Cheryl Knight

Known as the most dependable, longest-lasting full-size pickup on the road, the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns Automotive Fleet magazine’s top spot for the third year in a row.

Tags: award, Chevrolet, GM, Silverado 1500, Truck of the Year

By Cheryl Knight

Chevrolet wins Fleet Car of the Year five years running, with the Malibu capturing the honor for the second straight year. Fleets commend the 2010 Malibu for distinctive styling, outstanding fuel efficiency, and exemplary quality.

Tags: award, Chevrolet, Fleet Car of the Year, Malibu

By Tim Yopp and Mark Eckhaus

In this new economy, banks and lessors want more assurances than ever that your business is healthy. Having an answer to these questions will help keep your credit lines safe.

Tags: Financing, leasing programs, lendor, lessor

By Grace Lauron

The 2009 Audi Q5 crossover SUV offers a smooth ride, while providing drivers a number of safety features for added protection.

Tags: 2009 model-year, Audi, Q5

By Mike Antich

Diverse vehicle selectors offering multiple makes and models are relatively common among European corporate fleets. Could the future hold the same for the U.S. fleet market over the next decade?

Tags: ARI, Audi, Donlen, Mazda, Toyota, Wheels, Inc.

By Grace Lauron

In addition to a newly shaped roof designed to provide more headroom for backseat passengers, the 2010 model also boasts a higher combined fuel economy of 50 miles per gallon.

Tags: 2010-model, Green, hybrid, Prius

By Grace Lauron

Roush Enterprises has worked with the Propane Education & Research Council to produce several propane models for fleets.

Tags: Propane, ROUSH

By Lauren Fletcher

The number of fleets restricting personal use of company-provided vehicles decreased from 2008 to 2009.

Tags: driver charges, personal use, survey, take-home vehicles

By Joe Bohn

The West Palm Beach-based utility fleet operates more than 60 Class 7 conventional and electric plug-in hybrids and will add more in the future.

Tags: bucket truck, Class 7 Hybrid, Florida Power & Light, FPL, PHEV

By Lauren Fletcher

From 800 inspections to its standard safety features, Mazda ensures the 2009 Mazda6 is ready to “Zoom.”

Tags: 2009 model, Mazda, Mazda6

By Lauren Fletcher

The all-new 2009 Subaru Forester is a blend of car-like fuel efficiency and handling with SUV visibility and versatility.

By Thi Dao

Frito-Lay’s addition of 1,200 Sprinters nationwide is part of parent company PepsiCo’s focus on resource conservation.

Tags: Frito-Lay, PepsiCo, Sprinter

By Staff

The company’s new compressed natural gas trucks are expected to yield a 20-percent emissions reduction over the cleanest diesel engines available in the market today.

Tags: CNG, emission reduction, UPS

By Cindy Brauer

A group of 43 fleet professionals tested the newest iteration of Audi’s mid-size sedan on the racetrack, against competitors, and in the hills of California’s Sonoma wine country.

Tags: 2009 A4, 2009 model, A4, Audi, Audi Corporate Sales Event

By Lauren Fletcher

Toyota’s all-new 2009 Venza combines the flexibility of an SUV with the style and comfort of a passenger car and moves the segment in a new direction.

Tags: 2009, 2009 model, Crossover, FT-SX Concept, Star Safety , Toyota, Venza

By Grace Lauron

Ryder’s approach to improving fleet fuel efficiency helps fleets reap the bottom-line benefits of going green.

Tags: hybrid, RydeGreen, Ryder

By Lauren Fletcher

The 2009 Dodge Journey crossover blends the capabilities of an SUV with the comfort of a passenger car.

Tags: 2009 Dodge Journey , Crossover, Dodge, Journey, R/T, SE, SXT

By Chad Simon

Through the support of WestStart-CALSTART’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum, 13 utility fleets became early adopters of medium- and heavy-duty hybrid truck technology. Fleet managers report substantial fuel savings and few maintenance issues, though greater production is needed to drive premiums down.

Tags: Alabama Power, Danny Kings, Dave Meisel, Duke Energy Corp., Efrain Ornelas, Florida Power & Light, George Survant, HTUF, HTUF Working Groups, hybrid, Hybrid Truck Users Form, Jordan Smith, Mike Allison, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, WestStart-CALSTART

By Lauren Fletcher

Toyota’s all-new 2009 Venza combines the flexibility of an SUV with the style and comfort of a passenger car and moves the segment in a new direction.

Tags: 2009 model, Crossover, FT-SX Concept, Star Safety System, Toyota, Venza

By Cindy Brauer

Fleet professionals who form Ford’s Fleet Advisory Board participated in Eco-Driving training and tested the new EcoBoost engine, which, the automaker says, delivers V-8 performance to V-6 engines with better mpg.

Tags: eco-driving, FAB, Ford, Ford Fleet Advisory Board

By Lauren Fletcher

Utilized as advertisements or mobile billboards, vehicle graphics can give fleet vehicles an identity. The pros advise not to make designs too busy or complicated, and communicate needs and requirements clearly.

Tags: Signature Graphics Inc., SkinzWraps Inc., Vehicle Graphics, VSP Marketing Graphics Group

By Sean Lyden

Each material offers benefits and drawbacks. Aluminum may be less expensive, but fiberglass reinforced plywood (FRP) is sturdier. Evaluate your truck application to determine which factors matter most.

Tags: Aluminum Sidewall, Fiberglass Reinforced Plywood Sidewall, FRP Sidewall, Truck Body, Truck Body Sidewall

By Cindy Brauer

The all-new 2009 Ram is Dodge’s first entry into the largest and fastest-growing part of the market — Crew Cab. The new model offers more than 35 new or improved features, including a new 5.7L Hemi V-8.

Tags: 2009 Ram Crew Cab, 5.7 Hemi V-8, Dodge

By Lisajoyce Vergara

Ford and UK-based Smith Electric Vehicles have launched two vehicles based on a Ford chassis. A zero-emissions light-duty van and medium-duty truck are expected to begin U.S. manufacturing by the end of 2008.

Tags: Ampere Van, electric car, Faraday mark II , Ford, Smith Electric Vehicles

By Grace Lauron

The new 2009 Ford F-150 remains a strong performer in the full-size pickup market. It now has a lighter frame to boost fuel economy.

Tags: 2009 F-150, Ford

By Lauren Fletcher, Grace Lauron, Lisajoyce Vergara

Medium-duty trucks are the heart of many fleet operations. Several manufacturers share what’s new for the 2009 model-year, with lists of vocational opportunities.

Tags: 2009-MY, Chevrolet & GMC Series, Dodge 4500 & 5500 Chassis Cabs, Ford F-650 & F-750, Freightliner, International DuraStar & CityStar, Isuzu N-Series, Kenworth T170, T270 & T370, medium-duty trucks, Mitsubishi Fuso, Sterling Acterra, Workhorse Custom Chassis

By Mike Guardabascio & Chris Brown

With environmental benefits, low operating costs, and application flexibility, NEVs may offer a viable alternative for your fleet. Yet there is much to consider before taking the leap to fully battery-powered vehicles.

Tags: electric car, EVs, GEM, Miles Electric Vehicles, Modec, NEVs , Phoenix Motorcars, Smith Electric, Tiger Star Electric Truck, Zap Electric Cars

By Cindy Brauer

A group of 43 fleet professionals tested the newest iteration of Audi’s mid-size sedan on the racetrack, against competitors, and in the hills of California’s Sonoma wine country.

Tags: Audi

By Staff

It has been “common wisdom” to replace fleet vehicles in relatively short cycles. Rising costs, however, have led fleet managers to consider lengthening replacement criteria. There are pros and cons to the practice.

Tags: replacement cycle, replacement mileage, replacement policy, vehicle life

By Cheryl Knight

The group helps improve performance levels of both GM and its commercial fleet customers. In addition, General Motors’ Fleet and Commercial Sounding Board includes representation from Canada and soon will expand to Mexico.

Tags: Fleet, GM, Sounding Board