Automotive Fleet views itself as a facilitator to provide a platform for different voices from the industry to sound-off on today’s challenges. This regular column is designed to encourage discourse for fleet professionals to let their voices be heard to their peers and other industry professionals. Here is what is top of mind for fleet professionals on the upward pressure on fleet costs.

Upward Cost Pressures

The 59th episode of the State of the Fleet Industry video helps us wrap our heads around how the ongoing microchip shortage is affecting the parts side of the industry. Simply put, the aged fleet that’s being run “until the wheels fall off” isn't safe from the shortage. Parts shortages are already affecting fleets and this will continue into model-year 2022. Business owners and executives need to get a plan in place now to avoid significant fleet downtime, resulting in lost revenue and customer and employee satisfaction.

Andrew Wishart, Account Executive for Enterprise Fleet Management in Vancouver, Canada

Total Behavior Approach

My response to the Market Trends blog entitled, “The Overt (and Hidden) Cost of Vehicle Abuse,” is that you must focus on total behavior approach and not just on safety. Policy and training are a supplement that will extends to how drivers treat company vehicles.

Chang Clifford, GM Greater China for eDriving in Hong Kong SAR

Negative Consequences

The Market Trends blog entitled “The Negative Consequences to Personal Use” was another great article by Mike Antich. He captured this concept of personal usage of fleet vehicles really well.

Hamid Dean, Facilities Leader & Fleet Manager for 3M Canada in London, Ontario

Ergonomic Equipment Reduces Workers’ Comp

A great article in the June 2021 issue of Automotive Fleet outlining the importance of ergonomics in the fleet ecosystem. A great read by Mik Antich! I highly recommend every one of the ergonomic specifications cited in the article to be reviewed for your fleet to ensure you’re avoiding costly downtime or litigation!

The industry is definitely going through a defining moment and I think it is critically important that we as suppliers keep our finger on the pulse to help ensure our customers' success first and foremost!

Author Wished to be Anonymous at Ranger Design in Baie-d’Urfé, Quebec, Canada

Buying and spec’ing trucks to meet the diverse operating needs of your entire workforce is a challenge. You can spec your fleet to a “bell curve” and deal with the exceptions on either end of the spectrum by adding ergonomic-friendly upfit equipment or swapping a driver from a large to a small truck or vice versa. Ergonomics must be high on the fleet manager’s “radar screen” because it can significantly impact the bottom line by reducing workers’ comp costs, improving driver productivity, and reducing fatigue-induced operator errors that can lead to preventable accidents. The best way to spec more ergonomic vehicles is by proactively identifying existing and potential issues and rectify them before they impact morale, or, in worst-case situations, result in injuries. -- Editor

State of Fleet Industry Videos

I just watched the State of the Fleet Industry for the week of Jan. 4, 2021. I want to thank you for your continued support of the fleet industry with these informative reports.

Corey Woinarowicz, Director of Business Development for Nocell Technologies