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30 Years of Fleet Financials History

Fleet Financials takes a look back at moments in fleet and automotive history as it celebrates 30 years in circulation.

by Kat Sandoval and Mike Antich
February 19, 2016
1 min to read


Screenshot via FF.

Fleet Financials takes a look back at moments in fleet and automotive history as it celebrates 30 years in circulation.

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The magazine recounts this history through the decades, starting in 1939 with the founding of Wheels, Inc., as Four Wheels. In the 1940s, additional lessors entered the market, including EMKAY in 1946 and Peterson, Howell & Heather, which formed a patnership that same year.

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The 1950s brought additional lessors into the fleet industry, and saw the formation of the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) in 1955.

Enterprise Leasing entered the car rental business in 1961. That year, Ed Bobit started Bobit Publishing Company and began publishing Automotive Fleet magazine.

For the full history of milestones, view a five-page layout that appeared in the January/February issue marking the 30th anniversary of Fleet Financials magazine. View it here. To view milestones from fleet management companies, view our Encyclopedia on AutomotiveFleet.com here. We have posted dynamic timelines for 13 fleet lessors, including ARI, Donlen, Element Fleet Management, EMKAY, LeasePlan USA, and Wheels, Inc.

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