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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•June 13, 2006

Looking Over the Horizon:Five Predictions and Two Wild Cards

Each year, Automotive Fleet tabulates fleet-related data for its annual Fact Book to provide insight into the fleet industry for the current and preceding model years. With this foundation, I thought it would be interesting to extrapolate this data to identify trends that may influence fleet management decisions in the upcoming model-years.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 23, 2006

Factors Influencing Development of 2007-Model-Year Fleet Selectors

Each month we are in contact with hundreds of fleet managers who manage fleets ranging from fewer than a hundred vehicles to mega fleets of tens of thousands of units. This link provides us a strong pulse of what’s happening in the marketplace. Emerging trends can be discerned after hearing similar comments repeated by a variety of fleet managers in different industry segments. Here is some of the buzz currently circulating through the industry.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 2, 2006

15 Ways to Increase Your Fleet's Fuel Economy

Although gas prices have hit a record high, you can take actions to maximize the fuel efficiency of your fleet. Here are 15 suggestions for drivers to follow to maximize fuel economy, most of which won't cost you a cent.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 25, 2006

Fuel Becomes Fleet's No. 1 Expense at $3.25 Per Gallon Depreciation Moves to No. 2 Position

If the price of gasoline reaches $3.25 per gallon, it will exceed depreciation as fleet's No. 1 expense, based on today's incentives and residual values. With the $3-per-gallon threshold already shattered, this scenario is not implausible.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 18, 2006

More Fleets Seek Reimbursement of Parking and Toll Violations from Drivers

Fleet managers of well-run fleets will tell you it’s getting harder and harder to find significant cost reductions. Many fleets are now expanding their focus to the next tier of cost savings. One area receiving increased attention is parking and toll violations.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 11, 2006

Low Inventory of Vehicles Continues to Bolster Wholesale Resale Values

The inventory of used vehicles in the wholesale market continues to lag buyer demand, boosting resale values across the board when compared to sale results same time last year.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 28, 2006

Fleets are the Targets for ‘Hidden Taxes’

Over the past two decades, the tax cost to operate a company-provided fleet has increased substantially. Today, taxes are the sixth-highest cost to operating a fleet.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 14, 2006

Who’s Responsible for RetrievalWhen Ex-Employees Hold Vehicles Hostage?

At most companies, when an employee is terminated, a predetermined checkout procedure is initiated to ensure all company assets are returned.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 27, 2006

Public Sector Fleet Operations on the Radar Screen of Politicians

The rapid rise in gasoline and diesel prices precipitated unanticipated fleet budget deficits throughout the country in 2005. This caused fleet to get on the “radar screen” of elected officials, the local news media, and taxpayer watchdog groups. As fleet managers asked legislators for additional funding, a knee-jerk “politicization” of fleet operations occurred with some elected politicians seeking to modify fleet policies.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 21, 2006

Are You a Tactical or Strategic Fleet Manager?

The common denominator among the companies operating the nation’s 300 largest commercial fleets is that they empower their fleet managers to make strategic decisions necessary to cost-effectively operate their fleets.

Market Trends•by MIke Antich•February 7, 2006

Public Sector Fleets:Why Fleet Resale Proceeds Should Not be Returned to the General Fund

A fleet with a vehicle replacement fund to which resale proceeds are returned makes the fleet manager more accountable for the disposal of surplus vehicles and equipment. It is in the fleet manager’s best interest to maximize resale proceeds to offset the cost of new vehicles.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 31, 2006

Think You Run a Well-Managed Fleet? Show Me the Metrics

Strategic sourcing has been a strong trend in corporate procurement for more than a decade. It has changed the corporate landscape and many fleet managers today find themselves reporting into the company’s procurement/sourcing group.

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