Effective with this issue, we have revamped our evaluation procedures used in reporting on used car prices at auction. The change is aimed at making the prices more meaningful to fleet operators. In the past, the high and low prices reported were based on "sharp" and "clean" cars that went through the major auto auctions across the country. Hereafter, the high and low prices will be based on "fair" and "clean" cars sold at auction.

AUTOMOTIVE FLEET's editorial board felt that "fair" and "clean" more accurately reflects the true condition of the typical fleet car. With the exception of a few rental and leasing cars which are turned in annually, there aren't many fleet cars that can honestly be called "sharp." Actually, many of the so-called "sharp" cars that pass through auctions are demonstrators, executive cars or bootleg models.

While many publications report on used car prices, I feel, without prejudice, that AUTOMOTIVE FLEET's auction guide is more useful to the fleet operator than any other in existence. And my feeling is based on fact, not feeling. Other reports-and there are reputable ones-are basically dealer or finance company oriented. They are used primarily as a guide in the sale or financing of used cars. Since they are aimed at auto dealers and finance companies, there sometimes is a tendency to report figures that favor the subscriber and are against the consumer. AUTOMOTIVE FLEET's only purpose in presenting an auction guide is to inform fleet operators what their cars are worth at wholesale. And the service is provided free of charge.

The compiling of our auction report represents a big investment. Actual used car prices are collected from major auctions across the country, tabulated, analyzed and averaged out. One of our editorial employees does nothing but work on collecting auction prices. At deadline, assistance is provided by other staff members. Regardless of the expense, we feel that we are providing a worthwhile service. It is part of AUTOMOTIVE FLEET's total editorial package.

I would like to hear from readers on how they feel about our auction prices. More important, I would like to know if the prices are used as a guide in disposing of used cars. Recently I received a call from a reader who said he was having difficulty in finding out how much his vehicles were really worth. I quoted him the auction prices for his area and later heard that he was able to get a better price for his cars by using the prices as a lever. While this may be the exception rather than the rule, it does prove a point. You can better your bargaining position if you have facts to back you up.

While on the subject of auctions, I would like to urge fleet operators to take a look at the auction when it comes to disposing of their vehicles. More and more companies are finding that they get more money by disposing of their vehicles through an auction. Of course, a little reconditioning before the car goes through the line always helps to bring top dollar. I've been told Chrysler Leasing Corp, has been experimenting with auctions with good results. If you want to find an auction in your area, a complete guide was contained in the April Fact book issue of AF.

Elsewhere in this issue is a report on the entrance of three major oil companies into the car rental field. I can't help but wonder if too many people aren't trying to cash in on a market that isn't quite ready. I keep hearing that only 4 per cent of the nation's 90,000,000 drivers have ever rented a car. Actually, how many are ready or able to rent cars? While I have always been a strong advocate of unlimited competition, I have equally been against unwarranted expansion. I can't help but think that the situation in the car rental industry today is reminiscent of what the bowling industry went through a few years back. Bowling emporiums sprung up overnight as the sport swept the nation. Then, equally as fast, the bubble burst and boom-there were too many bowling alleys and not customers. While bowling today is still a popular sport, the industry is paying for its over-expansion and equipment manufacturers are still trying to collect on accounts receivable. Let's hope the same thing doesn't happen to the car rental industry. Let caution and orderly growth be the bywords.