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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•May 22, 2004

Downsizing Vehicles to Cut Acquisition Costs Will Increase Maintenance Costs & Liability Exposure

An increasing number of fleets, especially those operating trucks and vans, are investigating the feasibility of downsizing to lower-GVW vehicles as a cost-cutting measure to decrease acquisition costs. For example, some fleets are studying a switch to a less expensive compact pickup instead of acquiring a full-size pickup or downsizing to a half-ton van from a three-quarter-ton van.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 17, 2004

The DNA of a Great Fleet Manager

This issue’s cover story recognizes the 2004 Fleet Manager of the Year. During my tenure in fleet, I have had the privilege of meeting 19 of the 20 fleet managers who have won this award. Although each managed different types and sizes of fleets, there were common traits found among these award-winning fleet managers. Likewise, over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting many other unsung pros of fleet management in whom these same traits were also evident. Here’s what they had in common

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•May 14, 2004

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•May 4, 2004

How International Accounting Standard 17 May Impact the Open-End TRAC Lease

Accounting standards vary widely from country to country, making comparison of company accounts difficult. In recent years, the need to adopt international accounting standards has been gaining ground. For multinational companies, compliance with a single set of accounting standards would be a major improvement to the current multiplicity of national standards and would promise significant cost savings among other benefits. Efforts to develop global standards were started in 1973 by the Intern

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•April 4, 2004

The Role of Fleet Managers in Strategic Sourcing

The emergence of strategic sourcing in the 1990s is rapidly changing corporate purchasing and increasingly forcing change in fleet purchasing and the supplier selection process. Strategic sourcing initiatives re-examine the way a corporation conducts its business and are tasked to identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing volume to obtain reduced pricing from key supplier partners. The migration of large corporations to strategic sourcing is becoming a powerful change agent at large fleet

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 12, 2004

The Right Pricing Strategy is the Key to a Successful Employee Sales Program

There is a renewed emphasis on maximizing remarketing dollars following the dramatic declines in resale values that have been occurring over the past three years. Although purchasing and negotiating skills are crucial, the skill that continues to set apart exceptional fleet managers is their remarketing expertise. One remarketing channel receiving increased attention is internal remarketing or the sale of company vehicles to employees. The key ingredient to a successful employee sales program

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•March 4, 2004

The Transition to 42-Volt Batteries and Its Impact on In-House Fleet Maintenance

The 12-volt battery, along with the automotive electrical system it supports, will more than triple its voltage to 42 volts in the next four years. The three forces driving a new, higher voltage standard for automotive electrical systems are: 1. The increased power demands from convenience/comfort features and new electronic/telematic devices. 2. Mandated emission standards. 3. Mandated fuel economy standards. Vehicle electrical demand has doubled in the past 20 years and the current

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•February 4, 2004

First-Ever Privacy Law Protects Drivers from Black Box Data

Event data recorders (EDRs) are electronic “black boxes” that collect and store information about the operation of a vehicle. A variety of data can be recorded such as vehicle speed, steering wheel angle, accelerator pedal position, and the degree of pressure applied to the brakes immediately prior to an accident. Nationwide, black box sensors have been built into millions of vehicles currently in operation.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 15, 2004

Extended Service Life Exerts Upward Pressures on Fleet

A key factor exerting upward pressure on public sector fleet operating costs is the long-standing trend to operate vehicles for ever-longer service lives. All around the country, public sector fleets are being forced by budgetary constraints to defer or reduce capital expenditures to acquire replacement vehicles. This is especially the case for fleets that depend on appropriations from their agencies' general funds rather than fleet replacement funds. As a result, these fleets are running vehicl

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•January 4, 2004

Will OE Tire Strategies Increase Fleet Operating Costs?

A growing trend is for auto designers to work with tire manufacturers in developing tires specific to particular model vehicles. This has proliferated the number of tire sizes available since no other tire in the tire manufacturer’s product line meets this vehicle-specific performance and handling specification.

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•December 4, 2003

NY Health Law Expands Smoke-free Workplace to Company Vehicles

Health concerns about exposure to secondhand smoke have caused many states to enact clean indoor air laws that restrict or prohibit smoking in the workplace. Currently, 24 states have such restrictions. In addition, many cities and counties have enacted similar ordinaces that restrict or prohibit smoking in the workplace. The question is what constitutes a "workplace."

Market Trends•by Mike Antich•November 13, 2003

Under-Reserving Depreciation Expense is Compounding Fleet Resale Losses

Although resale prices for used fleet vehicles in the wholesale market have stabilized in recent months, the majority of vehicles whose depreciation has been amortized at two percent per month continue to lose money at resale.

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