Several fleets with a significant number of diesel-powered Volkswagen vehicles are taking a closer look at how to move forward following revelations that the cars contain software designed to cheat federal emissions standards.
Paul Clinton・Former Senior Web Editor
September 30, 2015
Photo courtesy of VW.
2 min to read
Photo courtesy of VW.
Several fleets with a significant number of diesel-powered Volkswagen vehicles are taking a closer look at how to move forward following revelations that the cars contain software designed to cheat federal emissions standards.
Managers of the commercial fleets, which preferred to remain anonymous, told Automotive-Fleet.com they are re-evaluating whether to retain Volkswagen vehicles on their selector lists. The fleet managers also said they have initiated talks with the automaker about a possible remedy to the issue.
Ad Loading...
One long-time Volkswagen large-fleet customer with about 2,000 Volkswagen diesels said the company is "definitely taking the VW issue into account, but no final decision" has been made about the 2016 model-year selector list.
The Roche Group has also been taking a closer look at its fleet, which includes Passat TDI sedans in the Roche Diagnostics and Genentech fleets. Bonnie Brown, Roche Diagnostics' former manager of administrative services had purchased 800 Passat TDIs for fleet use by June of 2014.
"At Genentech, we take our commitment to environmental sustainability very seriously," said Susan Willson, a Genentech spokeswoman. "We are currently evaluating the impact of the Volkswagen situation on our fleet and will provide an update when appropriate."
About 480,000 Volkswagen vehicles and 15,000 Audi vehicles were sold in the U.S. market with the software cheat. Globally, about 5 million Volkswagen, 2.1 million Audi, 1.2 million Skoda, and 700,000 SEAT vehicles have been affected. The software cheat wasn't included in any Porsche cars, according to spokesman Peter Heinz Thul.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.
