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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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In Memoriam: Coach's Insights•by Ed Bobit•April 16, 2010

Mobile High-Tech: Driver Convenience or Corporate Liability?

With so many new devices being integrated into cars, companies now need strict policies. The need to strike a balance between productivity and entrustment has never been more evident.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 12, 2010

The Danger of Using Car GPS by Fleet Truck Drivers

Increasingly, drivers are relying on personal GPS devices for route directions; however, this can be potentially dangerous and expensive for truck fleets. A car GPS device maps out the quickest and shortest routes, but doesn't identify truck-restricted routes or roads with weight, height, and hazardous cargo restrictions.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 5, 2010

5 Avoidable Mistakes in Managing Personal Use

Personal use administration is a headache for most fleet managers. Oftentimes, this headache is self-induced and avoidable. Here are five common mistakes committed by fleets in administrating a personal use program.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 30, 2010

SEC Inching Closer to Mandated Carbon Disclosure

A growing number of investors, state officials, and environmental groups are lobbying the U.S. Congress to mandate climate change disclosures in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. A recent SEC interpretive release caught the attention of the corporate fleet community, especially in the wake of a record number of global warming resolutions filed with 58 U.S. companies during the 2009 proxy season. Will fleet managers have to deal with carbon disclosure in the not-too-distant future

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 16, 2010

More Salespeople on the Street Pitching Reimbursement

Reimbursement has re-emerged as a fleet issue. One reason is that Runzheimer has a rival, which means two competitive sales forces are aggressively selling vehicle reimbursement programs. Also, the recession, corporate downsizing, funding/credit constraints, OEM viability, and economic uncertainty have renewed senior management's desire to re-examine reimbursement.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 9, 2010

Fleets Reassess Amortization Rates

In the commercial fleet industry, the most common amortization rate used for establishing a depreciation reserve is 50 months. Recently, some major fleets extended amortization rates on new-vehicle orders.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 2, 2010

Maintenance Costs Up Due to Frequency of Repair Increases

Maintenance costs increased in 2009 due to higher cost of replacement tires, PM oil changes, and labor rates. However, the biggest factor was widespread deferment of vehicle replacement, resulting in the operation of older units.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 18, 2010

Short-Term Cost-Cutting Strategies Backfire in the Long-Run

The new reality of a tighter corporate operating environment has forced fleet managers to pursue two different types of cost-cutting goals - cost deferral and cost elimination. However, many cost-cutting decisions for fleet are made for the short-term, with very little consideration for total cost of ownership. Sometimes senior management is more interested in the fiscal, rather than economic, consequences of their decisions.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 2, 2010

Morgan Stanley & Goldman Sachs Forecast $100-per-Barrel Oil in 2011

Goldman Sachs was the first to forecast a $100-plus-per-barrel crude oil price when the bank issued a research report last November, which called for a $110-per-barrel average price for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude in 2011. Morgan Stanley released a similar report in January and targets $95-per-barrel of WTI futures by December 2010, with an average price of $100 per barrel in 2011.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 25, 2010

Fleets are Facing an Era of Higher Taxation

In 2009, of every $100 spent on fleet, $5 was consumed by taxes. This compares to $4.10 in 2006 and $3 in 1983. The recession has caused sales and property tax revenues to plummet creating widespread shortfalls in government budget funding. States and other governmental jurisdictions are scrambling to find new ways to generate new tax revenues. Again, commercial fleets are in their cross-hairs.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 8, 2010

The State of Commercial Fleet Management in 2010

There continues to be economic uncertainty among fleets manifested by extended cycling, right-sizing initiatives, and intense pressure to control costs. The consensus is the worst is behind us, but 2010 will be a tough road.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 4, 2010

Fleet Predictions for the 2010 Calendar-Year

Barring the occurrence of unforeseen calamities beyond our control, here are my predictions as to how current fleet industry trend lines will play out in the next 12 months.

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