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Oct 20-22, 2026 | MD

Driving Notes

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

Multiple Authors

6 contributors

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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

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Insight Lane

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

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Market Trends

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

Multiple Authors

2 contributors

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Remarketing Streams

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

Martin Romjue

Managing Editor

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Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 25, 2014

10 Universal Mega Trends Impacting Global Fleets

There are dramatic differences between regional fleet markets around the globe. Yet, despite these differences, there are also many similarities. Many of the challenges facing fleet managers are identical to the challenges facing their counterparts elsewhere in the world. Oftentimes, fleet best practices in addressing these challenges emerge from outside your local market, which is good reason to be familiar with what’s occurring elsewhere in the world. Here are the top 10 universal mega trends.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•March 20, 2014

The Shortest Distance from Point 'A' to Point 'B'

This year, the Fleet Safety Conference will demonstrate the latest developments in technology and the use of predictive analytics and other metrics to identify at-risk drivers.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 3, 2014

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

Could the U.S. fleet market of the future evolve in the same direction as the European fleet market? The key factor driving the European fleet market from the 1960s to present has been a high taxation environment. There are many indicators that point to the U.S. entering a new era of very high taxation. Could the same future unfold for the U.S. fleet market as it did in Europe? In my mind, this is not a far-fetched scenario.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 24, 2014

How to Avoid HR Headaches When Confronting Employees Who Abuse Company Vehicles

If an employee threw trash all over the office floor, scratched the paint off the walls, broke the light bulbs, left holes and dents in the walls, and skipped routine maintenance on the copier until it overheated and broke, no manager would tolerate this abuse. Yet, that is exactly what some fleet managers do tolerate when drivers abuse their company-provided vehicles.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•February 21, 2014

Be Careful What You Wish For!

Despite the compact truck market diving from 2 million sales to 250,000, there appears to be ample competition coming. Most believe the compact truck market is now expanding and will continue.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 11, 2014

Remarketing Déjà Vu: Will the Resale Market of 2016 be a Repeat of 2002?

Many of the dynamics in today’s market are eerily familiar to the resale value softness that occurred in the last decade, which ultimately peaked in 2002. At that time, year-over-year increases of off-lease vehicles entering the wholesale market exerted downward pressure on resale prices. It appears that we are on the same trajectory, with off-lease volumes peaking in 2016. What are you doing to prepare for these different market dynamics?

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 3, 2014

Extending Vehicle Service Life Negatively Impacts Sustainability Goals

The long-term trend in vehicle cycling for commercial fleets has been a gradual increase in vehicle service lives. An increasing number of companies cut costs by extending vehicle replacement cycles so cash flow can be diverted to other expenditures. When extending vehicle cycles, the most significant (and uncertain) expense is the impact on the maintenance budget. Another argument against extended replacement cycling, albeit less vocalized, is the impact on corporate sustainability.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 28, 2014

Component Theft and Vandalism: A Growing Expense for Truck Fleet Managers

Protecting vehicle assets from vandalism and theft is a growing problem for many fleets.Industrywide, these thefts run the gamut from catalytic converters, tailgates, and spare tires, all the way to the vehicle itself. As fuel prices increase, fuel theft becomes more common, especially fuel siphoning. Trucks parked overnight are found the next day with holes in the fuel tanks to steal the drained fuel. Here's what companies need to do to secure unattended vehicles.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•January 9, 2014

Fuel or Resale: Where Can You Find the Biggest Savings Now?

With mpg improving with each new model and prices at the pump receding, some are forgetting the more expensive depreciation cost.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 6, 2014

The Adverse Impact of Staggered Production Schedules on Fleet Planning and Ordering

Nowadays, OEMs introduce new models throughout the calendar-year. For many fleet managers, the staggered release of new models complicates fleet planning and the ordering process. Some model lines may have variable final order and startup dates due to muttiple plant assignments and model configurations. Fleet-minded OEMs have been terrific partners to fleets and, together, there should be a way to mitigate the impact of staggered production schedules for their largest customers.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 31, 2013

Return of 'Normal' Used-Vehicle Market Demands Seasonal Remarketing Strategy

For the past three years, everyone has been a remarketing genius. The low inventory of used vehicles in the wholesale market helped inflate resale values by about 10 percent. However, as greater volumes of used vehicles begin to enter the wholesale market, vehicle supply will start to meet buyer demand, which will put downward pressure on resale values. In many ways, the new used-vehicle market will demand returning to the basics, namely recognizing the seasonality of the used-vehicle market.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•December 16, 2013

Set Your Priorities for Another Challenging Year

Make sure that you not only learn about resale values, but you should be getting a free (customary for dealers and fleets) lunch at your favorite auction. Maybe your FMC is taking it for you.

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