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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 Staff Writer•July 9, 2012

Why You Should Attend an OEM Product Preview (If Lucky Enough to be Invited)

The annual spring ritual by many of the manufacturers who sell fleet vehicles in numbers presents a variety of rewarding experiences; if you are chosen.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•June 29, 2012

New Liability Exposure: Employee Drivers Using Medical Marijuana

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis (marijuana) or have decriminalized it. What are the fleet ramifications of drivers operating a company-provided vehicle while using medical marijuana under the care of a physician? What are the corporate liability issues if a driver with a medical marijuana prescription is involved in a preventable accident? Let's address these questions and determine what you can do to minimize your corporate liability exposure.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Staff Writer•June 12, 2012

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Clint Eastwood is my long-time macho hero (along with John Wayne and Bruce Willis). His historic “Make my day!” statement is kind of a mantra with me. Those three words may also offer a challenge to the nation’s environmentalists, activists, and tree huggers everywhere.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•June 6, 2012

Why Certain High-Tech Firms Favor Reimbursement

Historically, IBM was the largest company offering a corporate reimbursement program. In its heyday, IBM had more than 25,000 drivers on reimbursement. However, since then, there have emerged major company-provided fleets operated by hi-tech companies, such as Hewlett-Packard, Apple, Intel, etc.. Despite this trend, certain high-tech companies continue to be more receptive to driver reimbursement programs than company-provided vehicles. Why is this so?

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 31, 2012

There's Nothing New Under the Sun

Since every aspect of fleet management revolves around money, reducing fleet costs is a constant, never-ending struggle for all fleet managers. The pressure to save money year-over-year is persistent for all companies, but extremely difficult to achieve, especially in an environment of rising costs. Many fleet managers are given fleet cost-reduction goals, based on a specific percentage, and it is up to them to figure out how to achieve it. The problem is many fleet costs are beyond our control.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 24, 2012

Electronic Onboard Recorders: It’s Only a Question of Time

The paper-based logbook system used to track hours of service (HOS) by commercial truck fleets is prone to driver manipulation and falsification. Even the FMCSA has stated that falsification of logbooks is widespread. By all accounts, the current system of manually recorded logbooks is a joke. Yet, despite this “elephant in the room,” the federal government remains unable to mandate onboard devices to improve HOS enforcement. Why can it work in Europe, but not here?

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 14, 2012

What’s the ‘Tipping Point’ for Fuel Prices?

During the past decade, we’ve witnessed a steady escalation of fuel prices with forecasters extrapolating these trend lines to predict even higher future prices. What is the “tipping point” for the price of fuel before it starts to have a significant negative impact on senior management’s desire to operate a company-provided fleet?

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•May 11, 2012

Want to be a Company Hero? Be a Remarketing Guru!

Too many fleet managers entering the industry fall into the “purchasing” and “administrative” trap with their time management. If you dedicate yourself to learning remarketing skills, your savings to the bottom line will bring you fame.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 3, 2012

Great Executives Empower Their Fleet Managers

Exceptional leadership by senior management means inspiring and motivating fleet managers to become great fleet managers. These executives delegate responsibility (and authority) to their fleet managers and empower them to accomplish self-determined tasks needed to achieve corporate goals. They recognize the fleet manager is the subject-matter expert and are open to the new ideas they present.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 24, 2012

The Best Time to Control Cost is Before It’s Incurred

The best time to control cost is before it occurs, and the way to do this is by establishing policies and procedures that inhibit unnecessary spending. Fleet policy has wide-ranging cost-containment ramifications. For instance, defining who is eligible for a company vehicle, in effect, determines the size of the fleet.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 10, 2012

Green Fleet Initiatives Gain Momentum Despite Cost Constraints

Most fleets want to be environmentally friendly, but are often hamstrung by fiscal constraints when procuring greener vehicles. But, as many fleets have shown, where there is a will, there is a way to meet fleet sustainability goals, despite fiscal austerity. Since most companies replace approximately one third of their fleet vehicles each year, they can tailor selectors to favor more fuel-efficient vehicles, so long as they are able to fulfill the fleet application.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•April 4, 2012

Who Are the REAL Fleet Managers?

There is a striking disparity among the nation’s keepers of fleets. A study of the demographics and personal profiles provides interesting answers.

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