Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Strange but True

Automotive Fleet has collected these “Strange but True” stories from fleet managers, drivers, and fleet management companies. Do you have a strange but true story? Something so incredible it couldn’t have been made up? Share your stories with Automotive Fleet. E-mail: Lauren.Fletcher@bobit.com.

March 3, 2009
2 min to read


Mind Your Abbreviations

One company vice president opted for a minivan rather than an executive-level vehicle. The VP chose a minivan with the XLT trim level.
The vehicle was factory-ordered and the VP frequently contacted the fleet manager to check the status of the van. He apparently wanted to use the minivan on an upcoming vacation. Fortunately, the van arrived before the exec's planned vacation.

Ad Loading...

Once the VP arrived at the dealership, he called the fleet manager to inform him he was refusing delivery of the vehicle because it was not correct.

The fleet manager compared the invoice to the order requisition from the driver. The information was identical. The fleet manager contacted the VP and told him the paperwork indicated the vehicle was delivered as ordered. 

Asked what the problem was, the VP stated, "I ordered a van with extra-large tires. This one does not have the extra-large tires." 
The fleet manager reviewed his request again and, failing to find any such request, faxed the VP a copy of the original order form. The VP called back and told the fleet manager it was plainly stated on his order - XLT, or according to the VP, "Xtra-Large Tires."

Once he stopped laughing, the fleet manager explained "XLT" was a trim level and did not stand for extra-large tires. The vehicle went to a company regional fleet manager, and a new van with the extra-large tires the VP wanted was ordered - but not in time for his vacation.

'Avoidable' Accidents

With an increased emphasis on tracking and reporting "avoidable" accidents, drivers have become creative in avoiding being held responsible during accident investigations. For example, a meter reader backed out of a long, narrow driveway and scraped a tree, removing the passenger-side mirror. However, the investigation concluded the vehicle manufacturer had obviously used faulty adhesive when installing the mirror. The meter reader was not charged with an "avoidable" accident.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Operations

A blue Automotive Fleet graphic representing the weekly AF News Recap series.
Operationsby Faith HowellMay 4, 2026

From Waffle House to AI: Fleet Trends You Need to Know

In this AF news recap, host Faith Howell covers how Waffle House stepped up during disaster response and new AI tech on the market.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Fleet Operations in the Age of AI: Navigating Ethical and Legal Challenges

AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Factory Installed vs. Aftermarket: Choosing the Right Telematics Path & Managing the Data

As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
OperationsApril 30, 2026

What Real-Time Data Reveals About EV Cost, Performance, and Scalability

Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Planning Through Policy Shifts: What Fleets Must Track in 2026

A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Managing Market Turbulence with Strategic Fleet Insights

This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Clipboards with flooded cars in background.
Disaster Responseby Chris BrownApril 30, 2026

Adapting Fleet Policy When Disasters Strike

In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?

Read More →
OperationsApril 24, 2026

EV Reality Check: How Fleets Are Managing Policy Shifts, Safety, and Scaling Challenges

In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.

Read More →
2019 Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame inductees Joe LaRosa Bob Miesen Bud Morrison Theresa Ragozine portraits
Operationsby StaffApril 21, 2026

Fleet Hall of Fame Honorees Through the Years

A running list of the fleet industry’s most influential leaders, recognized for their lasting impact on commercial fleet management.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Operationsby Chris BrownApril 20, 2026

2026 Salary Survey: Six-Figure Fleet Manager Salaries Become the Norm

After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.

Read More →