Kmart and Penske Agree to Close Auto Service Centers
Kmart Corp. and Penske Corp., Penske Auto Centers (PAC), and Penske Auto Centers, LLC (collectively “Penske”) have agreed to shut down the auto service centers at 550 Kmart stores across the United States. Under the terms of agreement, which is subject to the issuance of a signed order by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Penske and Kmart will cooperate to assure an orderly wind-down of the business following Penske’s unilateral decision to close the business on April 6, 2002. Also under the agreement, Penske has set aside funds for certain close-down expenses, including facility restoration, removal of hazardous waste and materials associated with the wind-down, and money to support PAC’s future customer’s warranty needs. Penske has approved to fund PAC’s payment of approximately $10 million for salaries, severance, and future medical expenses of PAC employees. Penske has also agreed to pay $6 million to Kmart under the terms of a master lease guarantee. Penske Auto Centers, LLC has also agreed to waive a claim of $5 million that was allegedly owed as a result of Kmart’s previously announced store closing plan.
More Operations

How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles
Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.
Read More →
Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands
Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.
Read More →
Fleet Personal-Use Charges Edge Higher in 2026
Nearly eight in 10 surveyed fleets allow personal use of company vehicles, while just over half of respondents report charging employees for the privilege.
Read More →
The Future of Fleet + What’s Changing Right Now | AF News Recap
Could developments overseas offer a preview of what’s coming for U.S. fleets? This week, we’re looking at the future of AI, autonomy, and electrification, plus Ford Pro’s new certified pre-owned program, smarter vehicle offboarding, and a new way for fleets to manage toll expenses.
Read More →
How to Handle Vehicle Offboarding
What do fleet managers need to do when a driver leaves?
Read More →
Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity
Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.
Read More →
U.S. Bank Adds Verra Mobility Toll Management to Voyager Fleet Platform
The integration allows U.S. Bank Voyager fleet customers to manage toll payments and violations alongside fuel, EV charging and maintenance expenses.
Read More →
ADAS Prevents Crashes. But Repairs Cost More | AF News Recap
ADAS-equipped vehicles may crash less often, but they can cost more when they do. This week, we’re breaking down what that tradeoff means for fleets, plus Subaru’s first Forester Wilderness Hybrid, Nissan’s new e-POWER Rogue, and why Calstart has become Catalyst Mobility.
Read More →
Moventum Fleet Management Names Mark Iorillo Head of Sales
Iorillo brings nearly 20 years of fleet management and sales experience to the role, including previous positions at Element Fleet Management, CEI, Donlen and Ryder.
Read More →
Fleet Has a Talent Pipeline Problem. What Comes Next? | AF News Recap
Where will fleet’s next generation of leaders come from? This week, we’re looking at the industry’s talent pipeline, what certification can add to a fleet career, how to build an award-worthy track record, and the return of Automotive Fleet’s Personal Use Survey.
Read More →