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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•August 8, 2011

Proposed 2025 CAFE Standards to be the Catalyst for the Increased Hybridization of Fleets

The 2025 CAFE rules will have a dramatic impact on the types of future vehicles in fleet operations. Currently, no OEM can meet the 2025 CAFE standard of 54.5 mpg, which will double the average EPA-rated fuel economy for all OEMs selling vehicles in the U.S. in less than two decades. Today, only a handful of models get 39 mpg or more. To achieve this standard, the government plans to incentivize the use of advanced technologies, such as hybrid powertrains and vehicle electrification.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•July 27, 2011

A Double Whammy for Truck Fleets: Ticket ‘Inflation’ and ‘Malicious Compliance’

Ticket fees have escalated dramatically and there appears to be a trend toward "malicious compliance," all for the sake of generating revenue. It's not uncommon for multiple tickets to be issued for the same violation due to overlapping regulations and the 'latitude' of interpretation afforded to officers. Plus, officers are providing fewer warnings and increasingly citing minor infractions, especially equipment violations. Increased citations negatively impact a fleet's DOT rating under CSA.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•July 27, 2011

Do You Know ‘Fleet?’ Here’s a Candid Perspective

There have always been divergent opinions on the actual role of “fleet” vs. “retail” among automakers and the industry. Here are some new observations of facts that may corrode some of the myths.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•July 25, 2011

Fleets Report Aggressive Efforts to Collect Delinquent Unpaid Tickets and Toll Violations

As many states combine delinquent ticket data into a single database, there’s an increased effort by government entities to go after unpaid violations, some as old as 10 years. In the past, political subdivisions within a state operated independent of the state DMV. Now, the databases of these jurisdictions are merged into the state DMV database, making it easier to identify and collect on unpaid tickets. Fleets have seen significantly more violations handed over to collection agencies.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•July 6, 2011

Wholesale Inventory Shortage of Medium-Duty Trucks Fuels Higher Resale Values

The decreased volume of new medium-duty trucks sold from 2008-2010 has created a tight inventory of used trucks in today's wholesale market. As a result, demand is exceeding supply, especially for lower-mileage medium-duties in good condition, which has exerted positive upward pressure on resale prices across the board.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•July 6, 2011

Who Has a True Appreciation for Depreciation?

No one would suggest we ignore the current egregious fuel prices. However, to mimic my personal mantra for the last 50 years, resale values continue to identify the vehicle’s most costly item.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•July 5, 2011

Does Automatic Payment of Camera Tickets Violate a Driver’s Due Process Rights?

Does automatic payment of a photo-enforcement ticket implicitly presume guilt and deny a driver due process? Some fleet drivers have been cited for running a red light and had the fine paid, all without ever knowing about it or given the due process opportunity to contest the citation. In addition to possible due process concerns, an employee may have a claim for wrongful termination if your failure to provide notice of the infraction ultimately cost the employee his or her license.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•June 28, 2011

Double Digit Odometer Fraud Between 2007 - 2010

“Clocking” is the illegal process of rolling back an odometer to a mileage lower than the actual miles driven. This crime is most prevalent with late-model vehicles, which have accumulated high mileage in a relatively short period of time, such as typically occurs with fleet vehicles. If you think odometer tampering is a thing of the past, you should think again. From 2007 to 2010, there has been a double-digit increase in odometer tampering.

In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•June 22, 2011

Do You Question Where Internal Fleet Management is Heading?

We have almost become accustomed to company outsourcing, reducing head count, technology reliance, adding responsibilities, and doing more with less. The question is, where is this leading?

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•June 15, 2011

The Best Green Fleet Strategy is to Reduce Fuel Consumption

If you want to green your fleet by reducing emissions, you need to decrease fuel consumption. Up to 30 percent of a vehicle's fuel efficiency is impacted by driver behavior. The way an employee drives make a big difference in the volume of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions emitted by a company vehicle. Every unnecessary gallon of diesel burned creates 22.1 lbs. of CO2. The quickest way to reduce fuel consumption is to modify employee driving behavior.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 31, 2011

The Impact of CAFE on Fleet Procurement

I foresee fleet procurement patterns changing due to impending federal-mandated corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards in 2016 and 2025. Government CAFE mandates for higher fuel economy, coupled with higher fuel prices, will change the vehicle portfolio mix offered by many OEMs, which in turn will ultimately change the asset composition of tomorrow’s fleets.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 9, 2011

A New Emerging Fleet Issue – ‘Burnout’

My takeaway from last April’s NAFA I&E Conference was the extent to which fleet managers are being stretched to their limits. The catalyst has been the recent economic downturn, which decimated what little staff may have been at the disposal of many fleet managers. Time constraints have caused a fleet manager’s daily activity to be a "juggling act," which has devolved into “crisis management” of putting out an endless stream of "fires."

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