Chris Brown

Associate Publisher

As associate publisher of Automotive Fleet, Auto Rental News, and Fleet Forward, Chris Brown covers all aspects of fleets, transportation, and mobility. Chris produces and emcees the annual International Car Rental Show, the largest event serving the auto rental industry worldwide. Chris also created and produces the Fleet Forward Conference.

Chris has won publishing awards for editorial excellence, including a Jesse H. Neal Award, three Folio: Eddie Awards, and three Maggie Awards. As an internationally recognized expert on fleets, auto rental, and mobility, Chris has spoken at industry events in the U.S., Brazil, Ireland, and China. Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and National Public Radio.

News•by Chris Brown•February 17, 2021

Gatik Electrifies Autonomous Fleet, Explains Path to Profitability

Gatik is partnering with Via Motors to deploy an autonomous, electrified box truck on a Ford Transit 350 chassis. The initiative comes as the autonomous technology company prepares to remove its safety driver on a Walmart route.

Articles•by Chris Brown•February 16, 2021

Understanding Effects of Payload and Towing on Commercial EV Range

As fleet operators adjust duty cycles for commercial electric vehicles, they must consider weight, vehicle modifications, environment, and EV-specific factors. How will published and projected specs compare to the real world?

Articles•by Chris Brown•February 1, 2021

How GM’s New BrightDrop EV Business Will Work with Fleets

With BrightDrop, GM is creating a new business to develop the commercial electric vehicle ecosystem. This includes a new electric delivery vehicle and support for infrastructure, logistics, and service planning — as well as an entirely new sales and service network.

Articles•by Chris Brown•January 27, 2021

Chip Shortage Is Affecting Rental Car Orders

Due to the global shortage of semiconductors used in automobiles, OEMs are telling car rental companies to expect “significant delays” with fleet orders. One operator has had a large order canceled outright.

Articles•by Chris Brown•January 15, 2021

Can Vehicle-to-Grid Technology Benefit EV Fleets?

With V2G, your electric fleet vehicles could act as backup energy when the grid goes down, and you may even be compensated for the power they give back. What are we waiting for?

Articles•by Chris Brown•January 4, 2021

Assessing the Ford F-150 Hybrid for Fleets

Our test of the new F-150 PowerBoost netted an extraordinary 19.2 average mpg with a 1,732-lb. payload and 25.1 mpg without. Adding PowerBoost’s 12,700 lbs. of max towing, is it blasphemy to finally turn our backs on diesel for true work applications?

Articles•by Chris Brown•December 8, 2020

The ICE Dealer Conundrum in Selling Electric Vehicles

Traditional car dealers can make themselves an integral part of the EV revolution and take their cut of the pie. But only if they’re willing.

Articles•by Chris Brown•November 18, 2020

GM, Motorq Unveil System to Streamline Fleet Order-to-Delivery

Motorq’s connected car APIs enable fleet owners to identify the location and pre-delivery status of General Motors’ vehicles. The system uses OnStar technology for “surgical” enablement of data that can be stopped or started as needed.

Articles•by Chris Brown•November 16, 2020

Fleet Forward Experience Wrap: IoT, Electric Infrastructure, and the Supply Chain

Panelists during Day 4 and 5 of the Fleet Forward Experience explored how technology is enabling smart mapping and a more efficient supply chain, while others stressed the considerable planning involved to implement electric infrastructure and IoT networks.

Articles•by Chris Brown•November 12, 2020

Fleet Forward Experience Day 3: Removing Barriers to Corporate Fleet Electrification

Overcoming today’s challenges to corporate fleet electrification; understanding how embedded modem data can be used effectively; and straightforward paths to sharing fleet vehicles — it was another busy day at Fleet Forward Experience.

Prev Next