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Mike Antich
Former Editor and Associate Publisher
Automotive Fleet's former editor, Mike Antich, shared his opinions and ideas on the overall commercial fleet industry and draws interesting comments from fleet managers and other industry professionals from across the country. Mike was inducted in the Fleet Hall of Fame in 2010.
The 12-volt battery, along with the automotive electrical system it supports, will more than triple its voltage to 42 volts in the next four years. The three forces driving a new, higher voltage standard for automotive electrical systems are: 1. The increased power demands from convenience/comfort features and new electronic/telematic devices. 2. Mandated emission standards. 3. Mandated fuel economy standards. Vehicle electrical demand has doubled in the past 20 years and the current
Read More →Event data recorders (EDRs) are electronic “black boxes” that collect and store information about the operation of a vehicle. A variety of data can be recorded such as vehicle speed, steering wheel angle, accelerator pedal position, and the degree of pressure applied to the brakes immediately prior to an accident. Nationwide, black box sensors have been built into millions of vehicles currently in operation.
Read More →A key factor exerting upward pressure on public sector fleet operating costs is the long-standing trend to operate vehicles for ever-longer service lives. All around the country, public sector fleets are being forced by budgetary constraints to defer or reduce capital expenditures to acquire replacement vehicles. This is especially the case for fleets that depend on appropriations from their agencies' general funds rather than fleet replacement funds. As a result, these fleets are running vehicl
Read More →A growing trend is for auto designers to work with tire manufacturers in developing tires specific to particular model vehicles. This has proliferated the number of tire sizes available since no other tire in the tire manufacturer’s product line meets this vehicle-specific performance and handling specification.
Read More →Health concerns about exposure to secondhand smoke have caused many states to enact clean indoor air laws that restrict or prohibit smoking in the workplace. Currently, 24 states have such restrictions. In addition, many cities and counties have enacted similar ordinaces that restrict or prohibit smoking in the workplace. The question is what constitutes a "workplace."
Read More →Although resale prices for used fleet vehicles in the wholesale market have stabilized in recent months, the majority of vehicles whose depreciation has been amortized at two percent per month continue to lose money at resale.
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