5 Takeaways from Ford, GM’s Earnings Calls
For 2023, expect higher incentives, volumes, and inventory levels, but by how much?
FleetTakes is exactly that — a take on what fleets need to know when it comes to the latest in automotive, transportation technologies, and creative solutions to improve fleet processes. FleetTakes is brought to you by Chris Brown, editor of Automotive Fleet (digital), Auto Rental News, Fleet Forward, and Business Fleet. Chris covers all aspects of fleets, transportation, and mobility, and is the founder and producer of the annual Fleet Forward Conference.
For 2023, expect higher incentives, volumes, and inventory levels, but by how much?
While the commercial electrification market is growing, it’s not big enough for the number of players looking to sell into it. This is just another added pressure for fleets looking to electrify.
The undertaking of fleet electrification is bigger than anyone thought just five years ago. But the fleet community that gathered in Santa Clara is up to the challenge.
In their quarterly conference calls, Ford and General Motors spoke to the ongoing supply chain strain, vehicle affordability, and commercial vehicle and EV demand. Ford’s Jim Farley also called out “an overlooked benefit” for commercial customers. What’s that about?
Spencer Patton, the de facto leader of FedEx Ground contractors, had his routes terminated and his business sued by FedEx. But the top challenges facing delivery fleets — fuel, maintenance, labor costs, and supply-chain delays — aren’t going away soon.
The California Air Resources Board laid down its most ambitious rule yet, which includes not only passenger cars but light-duty trucks. The rule is phasing out traditional power in fleets’ biggest workhorses.
Harvesting, analyzing, and acting on data is a never-ending requirement in fleet management. With EVs, the need increases exponentially — and requires new systems, networks, and apps to manage and integrate.
With at least two dozen manufacturers ready to serve the commercial vehicle market with electric trucks and chassis, fleets will soon be making tough decisions they never had to with ICE vehicles.
The same challenges to electrify from 10 years ago still exist today. But at this year’s conference in Columbus, it’s clear there is an ecosystem to support Electrification 2.0 that wasn’t in place before.
On the show floor, in seminars, and with a beverage over a highboy, fleet managers shared solutions on sourcing vehicles, overcoming supply chain disruptions, and cost containment — while deciphering how to meet the coming wave of electrification.
While the great majority of fleets are just beginning to electrify, we also must realize that we’re at stage one of an ongoing mission to disseminate the training, grant opportunities, and behind-the-wheel education to foster the process. Human interaction from those with EV experience is crucial.
This year’s show floor was electric — literally — with about 20 manufacturers exhibiting electric vehicles or electric chassis. Connected technologies, product enhancements for the final mile, lightweighting and aerodynamics improvements, and new fleet electrification services also grabbed the spotlight.
Ford is betting on Ford Pro to meet a connected, electric mobility future. What’s the plan?
These 10 trendlines in electrification, mobility, and transportation tech bring promise to revolutionize fleets. Some may come to fruition next year, while others will only start to germinate.
This FleetTakes blog covers the 3G sunset, a moonshot mandate for California public fleets, a contrarian take on gamification, and whether Hertz can fleet 100,000 Teslas.
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