THE CAR AND TRUCK FLEET AND LEASING MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
Diesel-powered cargo vans are providing fleet buyers with a lower total cost of ownership than gasoline models, while many diesel-powered trucks aren't recouping the higher acquisition cost, according to a Vincentric analysis.
Transervice Logistics, Inc., has been selected by Bimbo Bakeries USA to provide contract maintenance fleet services to plant locations in Cromwell, Conn.; Lakewood, Texas; and Ft. Worth, Texas.
A fleet cost reduction program goes straight to the corporate bottom line. If a company operates at a 10% annual net profit margin, reducing annual fleet expenses by $100,000 is the equivalent of generating $1 million in sales. Although fleet managers manage hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars in corporate assets, only half are incentivized to achieve targeted performance goals. I advocate incentivization should be a universal best practice extended to all fleet managers.
Fleet costs are experiencing upward pressure in a variety of areas, ranging from higher vehicle acquisition due to the proliferation of safety systems to increased material costs to manufacture tires, replacement parts, and upfits.
Although repair incidents were flat, other fleet-related maintenance expenses were up in calendar-year 2017, primarily in labor rates and parts prices. PM costs were up around 3%, while replacement tire costs increased 5-10%.
Extended oil-drain intervals have helped to offset increases in the cost of motor oil because of the expanded use of synthetic oils and cartridge oil filters. Higher labor rates in 2017 exerted upward pressure on preventive maintenance costs.
For the past four years, tire costs have been stable. But, new cost pressures have emerged in 2017, due to higher prices for the commodities used to manufacture tires and the trend to larger diameter, more expensive tires.
Continued stability in crude oil prices, along with longer oil drain intervals, are helping to offset the higher cost of synthetic motor oils that are now required by more automotive OEMs.
Fleet maintenance costs have remained flat over the past 12 months, with the primary factor being increased overall vehicle quality. Other repair costs adjusted for inflation, were, on average, consistent with those in CY-2016.
Fleet passenger car maintenance expenses declined by 7%.