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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

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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Market Trends•by Mike Antich•November 25, 2008

Are Executive Vehicle Fleets Becoming Politically Incorrect?

In today's economic environment, push-back is emerging at some companies about company-provided executive vehicle fleets. As the economy worsens and ever-increasing amounts of taxpayer monies are being used to prop up financially distressed companies, a negative perception is growing about executive compensation and the different perks tied into these compensation packages.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•November 17, 2008

The Credit Crisis Impact on Fleet? Look to 1973 for Clues

Fuel prices hit record highs. The cost of financing a fleet doubles. Used-vehicle values plummet. Dealers are unable to sell the vehicles they have in inventory. Geopolitically, the U.S. is embroiled in war and the macro-economy teeters on recession. If you think I'm talking about 2008, think again. The year was 1973.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•November 11, 2008

Used-Vehicle Market Nosedives in October: More Downward Movement Anticipated

October was an extremely difficult month to remarket vehicles in the wholesale market as resale prices took a precipitous drop. Wholesale pricing, based on mixed mileage and seasonally adjusted, declined a record 6 percent in October. The lack of credit to both dealers and retail buyers has been the key catalyst contributing to the downturn in the wholesale market. The market forecast is gloomy until the credit gridlock is resolved.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•November 4, 2008

Don't Let Drivers Grow Complacent with Lower Fuel Prices

The recent drop in fuel prices has been as breathtaking as the earlier run-up in prices. If sustained, these reduced fuel prices will begin to make a dent in overall fleet fuel expenditures. However, there is the risk that lower prices may bring about driver complacency. A large part of fleet fuel expense is controlled by drivers. Many of the hard-won increases in fleet mpg can be negated by drivers reverting to less fuel-efficient driving behaviors.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 28, 2008

94% of Fleet Managers Don’t Know the Whereabouts of Their Fleet Vehicles

Do you know the location of your fleet vehicles during work hours? The most likely answer is no. In fact, nine out of 10 fleet managers have no idea where their fleet vehicles are at any given time. This assertion is based on a recent study that revealed 94 percent of those who operate corporate vehicles are completely unaware of their fleet’s location during work hours. However, this may soon change as a result of growth in the deployment of mobile resource management (MRM) systems.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 24, 2008

Vehicle Quality is Up, But So is Cost per Repair

Vehicle quality has improved dramatically with fleets experiencing a decline in the frequency of vehicle repairs. However, the average cost of repairs has been increasing. The forecast is for the cost of fleet maintenance to increase again in 2009. There are five factors exerting upward pressure on cost per repair.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 21, 2008

Fleet Operating Costs Increase Again in 2008

Although gas prices started to decline in August, the year-to-date cost of fuel in 2008 has increased 30 percent compared to last year. The price for replacement tires rose 5-10 percent in 2008 due to higher oil prices and the shift by manufacturers to larger diameter tires. Also, fleet maintenance and repair costs increased across the board in 2008. The cost for non-warranty maintenance services was up 5 percent for fleets.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 14, 2008

Replacement Tires: A Growing Fleet Expense

Replacement tires are the third-largest expense category for fleets. In the past three years, this expense category has grown as a result of multiple price increases from all major tire OEMs. In 2008, year-to-date tire replacement costs have increased 4-10 percent. This follows a 3-4 percent price increase in 2007 and an 8-10 percent price increase in 2006. The consensus is replacement tire prices will increase again in 2009.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 10, 2008

Fuel Continues to be the No. 1 Threat to Fleet

The number one threat to fleets continues to be the price of fuel, despite the fact that fuel prices have been declining due to the global economic slowdown. Year-to-date, the cost of fuel has increased 30 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. The Energy Information Administration is projecting fuel to average $3.82 per gallon in calendar-year 2009. Fuel is the potential game changer of the fleet industry. Consider two recent examples as harbingers of things to come.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 7, 2008

Federal Reserve Invokes Emergency Powers to Support the Commercial Paper Market

Today, Oct. 7, the Federal Reserve Board announced that it is invoking emergency powers to create a special fund to support the U.S. commercial paper market. The announcement by the Federal Reserve allows corporations to bypass the current credit gridlock gripping the nation’s economy. This has an impact on the fleet market since one source of financing for large fleets is the commercial paper market.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•October 3, 2008

Anti-Idling Programs: A Quick Way to Reduce Fuel Spend

Reducing unnecessary idling is the simplest and easiest way for a fleet to reduce fuel costs. Besides wasting fuel, excess idling also causes unnecessary emissions, noise pollution, and needless engine wear-and-tear. The amount of unnecessary idling varies by fleet, but some fleets have recorded idling as much as 35 percent of the time.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•September 29, 2008

Credit Gridlock Will Impede Sales of Used Fleet Vehicles

The bread-and-butter customers of out-of-service fleet vehicles are buyers with C and D credit, namely subprime buyers. However, funders have tightened underwriting standards to manage these higher risk borrowers. Some lenders have caps on how low a FICO score they are willing to fund, which is often above the threshold of subprime borrowers. If this continues, it will have significant long-term implications for the sale of used fleet vehicles.

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