Blogs

Automotive Fleet Magazine

Subscribe | Digital Edition

Request an invitation

Driving Notes

Knowing about a vehicle is one thing; driving it is quite another. Getting behind the wheel gives yo...

Multiple Authors

3 contributors

Start reading →

FleetTakes

FleetTakes is exactly that — a take on what fleets need to know when it comes to the latest in autom...

Chris Brown

Associate Publisher

Start reading →

Insight Lane

Insight Lane delivers Colin Sutherland’s perspective from the intersection of leadership and innovat...

Start reading →

Market Trends

Automotive Fleet's former editor, Mike Antich, shared his opinions and ideas on the overall commerci...

Mike Antich

Former Editor and Associate Publisher

Start reading →

Remarketing Streams

Remarketing Streams reports on the flow of used vehicles moving through the consignor-auction-dealer...

Martin Romjue

Start reading →

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 20, 2016

Encroachment Blurs Traditional Fleet Responsibilities at Multinational Fleets

Many interdepartmental and operational conflicts that intersect at fleet are typically driven by the challenge of balancing HR/driver requirements versus finance/procurement requirements, which are often at odds, with the gains in one area negatively impacting the other. And, the hard reality is not all department or operational managers are team players and, as a result, there are the inevitable interdepartmental (and personal) conflicts.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 11, 2016

Migration of U.S. Fleet Management to the European Fleet Model

I can envision internal and external political and economic pressures that could prompt the U.S. fleet market to migrate to a European fleet business model offering company-provided vehicles as a form of compensation.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 5, 2016

Common Misunderstanding about the European Fleet Market

Non-European fleet managers of multinationals often attempt to extrapolate their local fleet norms to other global fleet markets, with the most common misunderstanding occurring with the European fleet markets, which, cumulatively, is the world’s largest fleet market. Here are some examples of differences that can lead to misunderstandings:

Driving Notes•by Mike Antich•January 5, 2016

2016 Chevrolet Volt

Okay, I’ll admit it. I suffer from range anxiety; however, I found an antidote after driving the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. I spent four days driving the Volt in a variety of road conditions, primarily in the all-electric mode, and found that it met all my driving needs. When trips exceeded the battery capacity, the gasoline engine range extender kicked in seamlessly, which gave me another 350-plus miles of travel.

Nobody Asked Me, But...•by Sherb Brown•January 4, 2016

Analyzing the Future of Fleet

It’s time to put another year in the books and look forward to 2016. Take some time to analyze current and future trends and how that will impact your fleet operation.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 29, 2015

Truck Overloading is an Ongoing Safety, Risk Management & Operating Cost Problem

Not only is an overloaded truck in violation of numerous state and federal regulations, it is unsafe to operate. As statistics show, year-after-year, overloaded trucks are one of the leading causes of truck-related accidents. In addition to safety concerns, an overloaded truck is costly to maintain and operate.

Driving Notes•by Mike Antich•December 28, 2015

2015 Chevrolet Bi-Fuel Impala (CNG)

Alternative-fuel vehicles have come of age and a perfect example is the bi-fuel 2015 Chevrolet Impala that can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). If not told in advance, most everyday drivers behind the wheel of a bi-fuel Impala would not know they were driving a CNG-powered vehicle.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 22, 2015

Industry Dialogue Needed to Ensure Regulations Don’t Impede Advances in Fleet Technology

A watershed moment occurred July 21, 2015, with the introduction of a first-of-its-kind bill, the Security and Privacy in Your Car Act. It directs NHTSA to conduct a rulemaking to issue vehicle cybersecurity regulations against unauthorized access to electronic controls or driving data. There are number of stakeholders in the “OBD ecosystem.” In addition to government regulators and auto OEMs, important OBD stakeholders include fleet managers, aftermarket suppliers, and industry associations.

Driving Notes•by Mike Antich•December 17, 2015

2015 BMW 320i xDrive

The 2015 BMW 320i xDrive is an all-wheel-drive compact sport sedan powered by a fuel-efficient, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It has a NHTSA 5-Star safety rating and an array of active and passive safety features.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 14, 2015

NHTSA’s New 5-Star Crash-Test Criteria Will Increase Safety and Acquisition Costs

On Dec. 8, 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed upgrading the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5-Star Safety Rating system for new vehicles by adding new standards for accident-avoidance technology, which will make it much tougher for OEMs to achieve a 5-Star Rating. Without a doubt these safety technologies are beneficial, but they cost money and will also exert upward pressure on new-vehicle acquisition costs. What are the full fleet implications?

Driving Notes•by Paul Clinton•December 11, 2015

2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus

The Grand Caravan has been an affordable shuttle that won't break a fleet acquisition budget, and it's also surprisingly enjoyable to drive.

Driving Notes•by Staff Writer•December 11, 2015

2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double Cab 4x4

For 2016, the Tacoma adds a more powerful V-6 engine, improved off-road capability, an updated infotainment system with touchscreen, and more aggressive body styling.

Prev Next