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Automotive Fleet Magazine

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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

3 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...

Mike Antich

Former Editor and Associate Publisher

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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 27, 2013

Why is the Fleet Manager the Last to Know?

During the course of a year, I talk with hundreds of fleet managers and one common complaint is that they are often the last to know when significant corporate decisions are made that impact fleet operations. In these instances, fleet managers are not afforded the same consideration given to their counterparts managing the company’s core businesses. Why does this occur and what can you do about it?

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Steve Kibler•March 21, 2013

Do You Take Good Care of Your Fleet Orchard?

In today’s cost-conscience fleet industry poor performing fleet managers don’t last long. It’s a job-health exercise for each of us to regularly stop and check the fleet orchard for low hanging fruit. We should all be in the habit of stepping back every quarter and searching our entire agency for fleet related deficiencies, fix the easy ones first and form strategies to address any others.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 18, 2013

10 Strategies to Curb Medium-Duty Truck Operating Costs

There is ongoing upward pressure on operating costs for medium-duty truck fleets. Factors impacting operating costs are volatile diesel prices, replacement tire costs, and longer service lives, which are increasing maintenance expenses due to component failures, escalating parts prices, and higher labor rates. Here are 10 strategies fleets are employing to mitigate these cost increases.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 4, 2013

Is Technology 'Dumbing Down' Fleet Managers?

While technology has transformed fleet management to a science, it has also created the risk that, ultimately, technology may “dumb down” fleet managers. In the past, fleet managers would personally perform the calculations and engage in the “cerebral sweat” to accomplish almost all fleet functions. Nowadays (and increasingly so in the future), sophisticated fleet management systems perform these calculations and analyses with the fleet manager only seeing the end result, not the prrocess.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 28, 2013

The Impact of Larger Diameter Tires on Fleets

There are a variety of factors influencing tire costs, such as commodity prices and increased global demand; however, the industry-wide retail trend to larger diameter OE tire sizes is a key factor in driving up replacement tire prices in the past decade.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•February 27, 2013

Why Aren’t Dealers More Fleet-Minded?

Factory leadership and training, thin profits vs. retail, and the sheer systemic “retail orientation” at all marketing levels makes “fleet” a near orphan.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Steve Kibler•February 19, 2013

Do You Have a Continuity Plan?

I worked for a fleet manager once who believed if anyone else in the organization knew what he knew, he would no longer be needed. When he left the organization and I was chosen as his replacement, I didn’t have a clue what he did or how he did it. I thought I did but hind-sight is 20-20. Because of his unfounded fear, I was doomed to make countless mistakes, costing the agency significant capital, which could have prevented if my former boss had been willing to share his knowledge.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 13, 2013

Top 15 Fleet Maintenance Trends in 2013 & Beyond

Vehicle quality continues to improve and extended powertrain warranties have covered some expensive repairs, which occur at higher mileage. Although quality has increased, vehicles are becoming more complex, especially with the proliferation of new onboard technologies. In this context, what follows are the top 15 maintenance trends for passenger cars that are facing commercial fleet managers in 2013 and beyond.

Market Trends•by Steve Kibler•February 5, 2013

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Customer

After years of witnessing customer’s attempt to prove their superior diagnostic skills and automotive knowledge, you will hear some doozies. Sometimes your first inclination is to correct a customer’s error in judgment.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•February 5, 2013

Prediction: There Will Always Be a Fleet Manager

A number of firms have attempted to eliminate their entire fleet department in favor of outsourcing. There are sound reasons why these companies inevitably reinstall a fleet manager.

Market Trends•by Steve Kibler•January 18, 2013

Snake Oil, A Fleet Manager’s Nemesis

“Mr. Kibler, my name is [so-and-so] and I have a fuel additive which will save the City thousands of dollars per year on fuel costs.” In the past 40 years, I’ve heard that promise at least 200 times and can honestly say after testing countless “guaranteed” fuel saving additives and devices, not one increased the MPG on any vehicle we’ve tested. The sad reality in each of these instances is the salesperson completely believed in their product and was certain their promised improvement would happe

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 17, 2013

What Percentage of Your Budgeted Fleet Dollars are Wasted?

How much of a fleet’s annual budgeted dollars are wasted? Is it 5 percent, 10 percent, or even more? In my mind, eliminating waste is the proverbial low-hanging fruit. Before implementing new fleet initiatives requiring new dollars, let’s make our No. 1 priority to stop the waste of existing dollars. Let's examine the fleet-related areas that are rife with waste and discuss the protocols you need to minimize it.

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