Business Fleet - Current Articles

By Tariq Kamal

Costly technology can wait. Try these strategies to get more MPG from your light- and medium-duty trucks right now.

Tags: Ford, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, gross vehicle weight, Isuzu N-Series, light-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks

By Chris Brown

A new Internet service offers commercial same-day fleet leasing quotes — without running your credit.

Tags: closed-end leases, commercial financing, finance rate, fleet leasing, lease rate, open-end leases

By Chris Brown

Biodiesel offers a straightforward path to a greener fleet. But before you implement, you must choose the right blend, know your fueling options and understand engine warranty and maintenance obligations.

Tags: biodiesel, engine warranty

By Chris Brown

RBC Bearings saved lease and maintenance expenses by moving to a shorter cycle with a flexible closed-end lease.

Tags: closed-end leases, fleet leasing, fleet management, residual values

By Chris Brown

Higher fuel prices and moderating acquisition costs have improved hybrids’ return on investment in recent years. Diesels step into the “green” spotlight with new models and strong lifecycle costs.

Tags: diesel vehicles, hybrid vehicles, lifecycle costs, Vincentric

By Chris Brown

Your next out-of-service utility truck may be worth more than you think. Check out the latest online valuation tools and alternative sales channels that could up your return on investment.

Tags: remarketing

By Tariq Kamal

Entertainment meets environmental awareness at Warner Bros. Studios, where Jonathan Rosenfeld is running some of his fleet’s largest vehicles on 20 percent biodiesel.

Tags: biodiesel, EPA, remarketing

By Tariq Kamal

A veteran fleet manager and his team of experts have identified several common myths that may be costing your fleet.

Tags: fuel economy, NAFA

By Justina Ly

A variety of iPhone apps can help you monitor your fuel usage and manage everything from mileage to maintenance.

Tags: Fuel Management, navigation, vehicle history reports, Vehicle Maintenance

By Thi Dao and Chris Brown

For seasonal services, vehicles out of commission, short-term projects, or for businesses short on credit, truck rentals can be a cost-effective alternative to leasing.

Tags: Leasing, truck rental

By Chad Simon

Staples’ ongoing mission to green its fleet included a pilot program for diesel-electric hybrid trucks — with mixed results.

Tags: diesel-electric hybrid, Green Fleet, NAFA Fleet Management Association, National Private Truck Council , National Truck Equipment Association

By Tariq Kamal

The Internet offers several avenues for small fleets to remarket out-of-service cars, trucks and vans. Here are three ways to get started.

Tags: GMAC Smart Auction, Online Auctions, OPENLANE, remarketing

By Thi Dao

Five technology-based products attack distracted driving in different ways.

Tags: distracted driving, Safety

By Chris Brown

Downsizing to a smaller truck or van can improve your total cost — if you can afford the downgrade in capabilities.

Tags: depreciation, maintenance, towing capacity, vehicle cargo, vehicle lifecycle, vehicle payload, Vincentric

By Tariq Kamal

Competitive Lawn Service may soon become the first lawn care company in the United States to run its vehicles and equipment entirely on propane.

Tags: propane-powered vehicles, Roush Performance

By Cindy Brauer

For two years running, fleet professionals chose the Malibu sedan and Silverado work truck as Fleet Car and Truck of the Year, citing styling, resale value, durability and fuel economy as fleet-valuable features.

Tags: Chevrolet, Fleet Car of the Year, Fleet Truck of the Year

By Ashley Willis and Chris Brown

GPS-based fleet tracking systems are being used to rein in maintenance costs through vehicle location controls, automated preventive maintenance scheduling, driver monitoring and remote engine diagnostics.

Tags: fleet maintenance, GPS tracking system, telematics tracking system

By Chris Brown

This 53-year-old concrete drilling business is high maintenance when it comes to fleet. The result is a low incidence of breakdowns and vans that last up to 15 years.

By Thi Dao

GM’s commercial dealer program has been enhanced to provide new standards of dealer staff expertise, maintenance and servicing capabilities, inventory requirements and incentive options.

Tags: dealer network, GM

By Mike Antich

Medium-duty truck sales have declined sharply, as have resale values, due to the recession and the slowdown in new construction. Many fleets are extending service lives, which threatens to increase future maintenance costs.

Tags: acquisition trends, diesel price trends, maintenance expense trends, medium-duty truck market, regulatory trends, replacement tire cost trends, resale value trends

By Tim Yopp and Mark Eckhaus

In this new economy, banks and lessors want more assurances than ever that your business is healthy. Having an answer to these questions will help keep your credit lines safe.

Tags: Financing, leasing programs, lendor, lessor

By Chris Brown

The 2010 Ford Transit Connect light-duty utility van is ready to deliver the goods.

Tags: Ford, light-duty utility van, Transit Connect

By Lisajoyce Vergara

In a technology-driven world and with the expanding growth of GPS navigation, the choice of a portable navigation device for fleet vehicles is a matter of features, cost and convenience.

Tags: GPS devices

By Chris Brown

All-electric and plug-in hybrid electric work vehicles are on the horizon in configurations that make sense for small fleets.

Tags: Bright Automotive, Electric Vehicles International (EVI), Ford Transit, Freightliner, hybrid, hybrid-electric powertrains, IDEA, Smith Electric Vehicles

By Ashley Willis and Chris Brown

With onsite refueling, custom-built vans and proactive maintenance, Ziker Cleaners and Uniforms uses unique partnerships with local vendors to keep its fleet running smoothly.

Tags: Ford E-350s, Scion xB, Utilimaster, Ziker Cleaners and Uniforms

By Chris Brown

Perception is reality, and American brands pay the price.

Tags: ALG, Initial Quality Study, J.D. Power and Associates, Perceived Quality Study, Residual Value Awards, Vehicle Dependability Study

By Staff

Just when you thought it was safe to get on the road again, gas prices are creeping back up. Here is a compilation of tips from fleet operators to rein in your fuel spend through efficient load and route management, fuel card programs and reinforcing the message with drivers.

Tags: cost savings, fuel saving, fuel tips

By Chris Brown

Low auction inventories have kept used vehicle prices afloat. But does that mean you can finally sell your used pickup or SUV? And how has bankruptcy affected used car values?

Tags: Adesa Analytical Services, auction inventories, fleet remarketing, KBB, Manheim's Used Vehicle Value Index, used car market

By Ryan Furmick

Expensive claim or peace of mind? Here are 10 questions you may not know to ask when building a policy that’s right for you.

Tags: claims, coverages, customer service, insurance, Progressive

By Chris Brown

Three small fleet administrators and a lessor share tips on preventive maintenance, from sensible PM for low-mileage vehicles to strict guidelines to help get your vehicles to 400,000 miles.

Tags: low-mileage vehicles, maintenance

By Chris Brown

Taking your fleet-minded dealer for granted during these trying times is not an option.

Tags: car dealers

By Chris Brown

Understanding what a dealer is looking for in a de-fleeted vehicle will increase your resale value.

Tags: trade-in vehicles

By Chris Brown

Auto manufacturers report on how viability plans, dealer reductions and new technological developments will affect the fleet market. Both GM and Chrysler say they can be profitable with 10 million in total yearly sales.

Tags: AFLA, fleet awards, NAFA

By Chad Simon

Recent studies have shown that fleets using biodiesel have reported no significant differences in performance, maintenance, or fuel efficiency with biodiesel versus traditional diesel fuel.

Tags: Alternative Fuel, biodiesel fuel , clean fueling stations, Propel Fuels

By Chris Brown

Now in its fourth year, the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America award is a result of the most comprehensive analysis of lifecycle costs performed for the fleet industry.

Tags: fleet awards, fleet value, Vincentric

By Chad Simon

By using systems that monitor maintenance, advertising, payroll and job tracking, Joe Christenson has improved his fleet's efficiency and alleviated the need to outsource fleet management.

Tags: fleet management, GMC Savana , maintenance, Networkcar

By Annie Lubinsky

There are steps you can take when purchasing a vehicle that will increase your fleet's resale value. Proactive maintenance, smart reconditioning and a good driver policy are also important factors.

Tags: driver policy, maintenance, reconditioning

By Annie Lubinsky & Chris Brown

Leasing used fleet vehicles makes sense if you are flexible with model selection, you can budget for unexpected repairs and your employees aren’t emotionally attached to their cars.

Tags: Leasing, Used Vehicles