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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•March 10, 2008

Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 Brings Back Additional 50% First-Year Bonus Depreciation

On Feb. 20, 2008, President Bush signed into law HR 5140, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, which, among other things, includes an additional first-year depreciation deduction equal to 50 percent of the adjusted basis of a new vehicle. This temporary change to the federal tax code requires that all vehicles and other fixed assets be purchased and put into use by Dec. 31, 2008.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 25, 2008

Managing the Uncontrollable

The country’s best managed fleets are exemplified by the Top 300 commercial fleets. Operating a fleet of 1,000 vehicles or more is an expensive proposition and, with most companies, it represents the second-highest corporate expenditure after payroll.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 19, 2008

Tire & PM Costs Increase Car Maintenance

Increased cost of replacement tires and PM caused car maintenance expenses in 2007 to increase slightly higher than the prior year. Tire costs were up 4-7 percent, while PM expenses increased 10 percent. Other costs remained flat.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 11, 2008

Economic Slowdown Causes Fleet Resale Values to Decline

Most fleet vehicles are purchased by subprime buyers; however, these buyers are now finding it increasingly difficult to qualify for used-vehicle loans. The slowdown in the construction market is dampening demand for used pickups, and full-size vans.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 7, 2008

Fuel Costs Exerting More Influence on Selector Development

Overall operating costs for commercial fleets increased 3 percent, on average, in calendar-year 2007. The increased expense was directly attributable to the cost of fuel. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline increased almost 7 percent over the record-high prices in 2006.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 28, 2008

10 Ways to Minimize DOT Scrutiny

More and more medium-duty truck fleets are coming under DOT scrutiny through roadside inspections and on-site audits. Enforcement has increased noticeably in the past three years.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 19, 2008

Forecast of Truck Fleet Management Trends: 2008-2010

The No. 1 factor is the ongoing high cost of fuel, in particular diesel, which is driving management demands to lower operating costs. Another huge factor that will influence fleets will be the 2010 diesel emission standards.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 15, 2008

Ban DWT (Driving While Texting)

Texting is the latest form of driver distraction and it is becoming more prevalent. Dubbed “driving while texting” or DWT, it is the tapping out of messages using the keypad of a cell phone, PDA, or BlackBerry while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 7, 2008

Vehicle GPS Thefts Can Lead to Home Burglary

Last December, an Acura executive fleet vehicle was stolen from a Fortune 500 corporate parking garage in Atlanta. In addition to stealing the vehicle, the thieves retrieved the “home location” information stored in the in-dash GPS system, which the exec had previously programmed into the system. Using the GPS data, the same thieves burglarized the exec’s home several days later - gaining access by using the garage door opener in the car.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 26, 2007

Reimbursement vs. Company-Administered Executive Vehicle Program

Although in-house management of an executive fleet is extremely time-consuming, reimbursement is a less cost-effective alternative. I argue that, in general, a company-administered executive vehicle fleet is a better choice than reimbursement.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 10, 2007

Top 10 Trends in Truck Fleet Management

As we start a new year, here is my forecast of the top 10 trends that will influence truck fleet management in the coming years.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 3, 2007

Reimbursement is Unfair to Employees

If employees are your greatest asset, why treat them unfairly with a driver reimbursement program? I have yet to hear of a company that reimburses at a rate that fully compensates drivers for the actual cost of operating a vehicle, especially in this era of escalating fuel prices.

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