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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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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.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 9, 2013

Long-Time Fleet Managers Reveal Their Secrets to Longevity in Fleet

Why do some fleet managers last longer in their positions than others? Longevity is important, because if you want to be a great fleet manager, you need “time in the saddle.” I’ve discovered that longevity is the secret to being exceptionally good at fleet management. So, back to my opening rhetorical question: What is the secret to longevity in fleet? Based on my conversations and observations over the years, there are four key factors.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•January 4, 2013

Reflecting on Those Early Years of Fleet and Leasing

The old cliché of “the more things change, the more they remain the same” doesn’t fit anymore. The birth was of ingenuity and necessity. Today, it’s efficiency, economics, and increasingly high-tech.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Steve Kibler•January 3, 2013

You Make the Call 2 – The rest of the story

These scenarios are real-life fleet situations from fleet user customers. Sometimes fleet policy does not address ways to deal with these unplanned challenges. I’ve scaled down the details to keep the blog short. Please suggest a possible solution as though it was a request from one of your fleet’s user departments.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 3, 2013

Making Sustainability Work: 10 Ways to Turn Users Into Stakeholders

The No.1 reason corporate sustainability programs are not “sustainable” is due to driver non-compliance. To make sustainability programs work, you need to turn drivers into stakeholders in the program. The overwhelming majority of drivers want to do the right thing; but most do not see sustainability as part of their job responsibilities. How do you create a corporate culture that encourages compliance with corporate sustainability policy?

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•December 21, 2012

How's Your IQ on MPG?

Your test score depends heavily on whether you have set and implemented multi-faceted policies and strategies to reduce fuel costs. Today, it calls for a critical approach, ranging from vehicle selection to modifying driver behavior.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 21, 2012

Looking Back Gives Us a Glimpse of What's Ahead

When you examine the seminal events of fleet management over the past 30 years, most were driven by changes in tax law, the introduction of governmental mandates,and adoption of new technologies. Looking to the future, we should probably expect more of the same.

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