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July 2010, Business Fleet - Cover Story

6 Ways to Save Fuel Now

A slide-in dump unit allowed business owner Eric Hansen to select this Ford F-350 over a medium-duty dump truck.

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

July 2010, Business Fleet - Department

Can I Quote You?

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

July 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Biodiesel by the Numbers

Though quality checks and balances are the industry rule, Steven J. Levy of Sprague Energy recommends confirming through documentation that your supplier adheres to ASTM standards and BQ-9000 accreditation.

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

July 2010, Business Fleet - Department

Small Fleets Have Room for Big Improvements

By Chris Brown

Fleet management is often an afterthought for small fleets, but they can achieve savings quicker and easier than their large fleet cousins.

Tags: fleet management

July 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Small Fleet Right-Sizes Lease Program

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

July 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Gas, Hybrid and Diesel: A Lifecycle Cost Analysis

Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer to produce a similar gas-, hybrid- and diesel-powered model, the ML350, ML450H and ML350CDI. The diesel model has the best lifecycle cost of the group.

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

May 2010, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Get More for Your Truck

This old workhorse may put $1,000 back in your pocket if you sold it to a dealer or broker. But with minimum remarketing effort, you could substantially 
increase your ROI.

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

May 2010, Business Fleet - Department

Forecasting Fleet’s Future at NAFA

By Chris Brown

Fleet professionals are expecting higher gas prices, tight inventory, longer warranty periods, fuel tax incentives and texting-while-driving bans.

Tags: Alternative Fuel, biodiesel, CNG, EPA, ethanol, fuel emissions, NAFA, NHTSA, Propane

May 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Best Fleet Value in America

By Editorial Staff

Toyota scoops up 10 trophies in Vincentric’s fifth annual Best Fleet Value in America awards.

Tags: lifecycle costs, Vincentric

May 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

On With the Show

Rosenfeld attributes much of his fleet’s ease of operation to the studio’s auto shop, which employs six full-time mechanics and includes metal fabrication facilities.

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

May 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Mythbusters: Fleet Edition

Tires filled with nitrogen retain their pressure better, keeping moisture out and ultimately extending tire life. But for small fleets, Hunt’s team couldn’t justify the cost of adding a proprietary fill station.

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

March 2010, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Fleet vs. Consumer Leasing

By Chris Brown

Can fleets take advantage of advertised consumer lease deals without getting burned?

Tags: fleet leasing

March 2010, Business Fleet - Department

iPhone Apps to Aid Your Fleet

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

March 2010, Business Fleet - Department

The New Diesel Deal

By Chris Brown

Will market shifts caused by 2010 emissions regulations produce a move away from diesel powertrains?

Tags: Chrysler, diesel trucks, Ford, General Motors, Work Truck Show

March 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

When Renting is a Good Idea

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

March 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Staples Fleet Tests Diesel-Electric Viability

Staples' 2,200-unit fleet includes Isuzu N-Series and FTR, International 4300 and Freightliner M2 Class 5, 6 and 7 medium-duty trucks.

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

March 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

3 Options for Selling Cars Online

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

January 2010, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Using Safety Technology to Combat Distracted Driving

Once it senses movement of 15 mph, Zoomsafer locks the keypad and screen of smart phones, disallowing access to texting and e-mails.

By Thi Dao

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

Tags: distracted driving, Safety

January 2010, Business Fleet - Department

Pricelock Gives Fuel Budget Security

By Chris Brown

Pricelock’s price protection program allows fleets to lock in at a desired price protection cost for gasoline. If gasoline rises above the desired protection cost, Pricelock pays the difference.

Tags: fuel price protection

January 2010, Business Fleet - Department

How Will New CAFE Standards Affect Fleets?

By Chris Brown

Reaching 35.5 miles per gallon is not as onerous as it may seem.

Tags: CAFE standards, corporate average fuel economy

January 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

How to 'Right Spec' Your Trucks and Vans

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

January 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Propane Provides a Competitive Edge

Eric Hansen takes delivery of the first propane-powered Ford F-350 from Jack Roush at the Roush Performance assembly plant

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

January 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

Attack Fuel Costs Through Analytics

By Chris Brown

A managed fuel program can save 10-15 percent on a fleet’s fuel bill by implementing tight parameters over fleet fuel purchases and the ability to track, measure and control fuel use.

Tags: Fuel Management

January 2010, Business Fleet - Feature

2010 Malibu & Silverado Voted Top Fleet Vehicles

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

November 2009, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Fleet Maintenance Goes Wireless

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

November 2009, Business Fleet - Department

Out of Stock? Out of Luck

By Chris Brown

Dealer inventories at all-time lows make this a good time for small fleets to plan ahead and factory order.

Tags: Cash for Clunkers program, fleet inventory, GM, Nissan, Toyota

November 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

In It For the Long Haul

The jobs performed by Roughneck Concrete Drilling & Sawing Company require specialty equipment such as slab saws, core drilling machines and Bobcats. Two full-time and two part-time mechanics service the vans and equipment.

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.

November 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Business Central Gets Fleets Back to Work

The Thompson Group Classic Chevrolet of Grapevine, Texas, carries roughly 400 work-ready vehicles in stock, including service bodies, flatbeds, pickups, cargo vans and high-cube vans (pictured.)

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

November 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Top 6 Fleet Trends in the Medium-Duty Truck Market

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

September 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

How to Be Your Lender’s Best Customer

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

September 2009, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Ford Transit Connect Gets Fleet Action

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

September 2009, Business Fleet - Department

Revving Up: What Price Safety?

By Chris Brown

The fleet-only option to buy vehicles without standard side-impact airbags highlights the deficiencies in the disclosure of deleted safety items in the buying and selling process.

Tags: Enterprise Rent-A-Car , GM, IIHS, NHTSA, side airbags

September 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

How to Choose a Portable Navigation System

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

September 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Small Fleets Plugging In

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

July 2009, Business Fleet - Cover Story

A Clean and Uniform Fleet

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

July 2009, Business Fleet - Department

Revving Up: Actual Car Quality versus Perceived Quality

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

July 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

10 Fuel-Saving Tips

After Gem Plumbing weighed every part carried on its vehicles, it was able to remove about 300 pounds and increase miles per gallon.

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

July 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Used Car Market Outlook

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

July 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Choosing the Right Vehicle Insurance Company

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

May 2009, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Preventive Maintenance from 40,000 to 400,000 Miles

Doug Flesher of Wessin Transport takes damaged vans and does a "part out" of every usable part-from doors and steering columns to relay switches and transmissions-and inventories it.

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

May 2009, Business Fleet - Department

Revving Up: July Is Be Nice to Your Dealer Month

Say thanks to your “fleet consultant” to solidify the relationship with your partner in strategic fleet planning.

By Chris Brown

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

Tags: car dealers

May 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Hold or Replace? Consider Maintenance Expense

By Chris Brown

If you're thinking of holding onto fleet vehicles longer to save money, consider added maintenance expense as well as mileage and condition factors to make a more informed decision.

Tags: depreciation, maintenance

May 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Trade-Ins: Avoiding Dealer Pet Peeves

Reconditioning on high-mileage units should be left to the dealership, as your ROI will be minimal.

By Chris Brown

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

Tags: trade-in vehicles

May 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

OEMs Talk Fleet at NAFA

Mike Antich, editor and associate publisher of <I>Automotive Fleet</I>, moderated the OEM panel discussion of fleet representatives from eight manufacturers at the NAFA Fleet Management Association’s 2009 Institute & Expo in New Orleans.

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

April 2009, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Fleets Put Biodiesel to the Test

 Propel Fuels has 11 Clean Fuel Points open at present in California and Washington state with aggressive plans to open more fuel points.

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

April 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Best Fleet Value in America

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

April 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Controlling Fleet Costs Through Metrics

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

April 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Fine-Tune Remarketing Strategies to Get Top Dollar

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

April 2009, Business Fleet - Feature

Revving Up: The Imperfect Storm

By Chris Brown

A confluence of factors in the new car and wholesale markets make this a good time to short cycle your fleet.

Tags: wholesale market

January 2009, Business Fleet - Cover Story

Leasing Used: Possibilities and Pitfalls

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

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Market Trends

Mike Antich
Do You Know What Your Drivers Are Really Doing?

By Mike Antich
Do you really know who is driving your company-provided vehicles? Often the "at-work" persona of an employee is not the true indicator of their behavior when no one is watching. Recently, someone forwarded me a link to a chat room for pharmaceutical reps. I did a search of posts that included the phrase "company car" and, in short order, I was shocked at some of the comments written about their use of company cars and how drivers play "the system" to their advantage.

The Need to Extend 50-Percent Bonus Depreciation

By Mike Antich
First-year 50-percent depreciation, known as bonus depreciation, expired Jan. 1, 2010. An amendment to retroactively extend bonus depreciation through the end of calendar-year 2010 has been added as an amendment to H.R. 5297. Bonus depreciation has been benefical to commercial fleets, especially those with long-life assets. As an industry, we need to urge members of Congress to pass H.R. 5297. But this is easier said than done due to the many other contentious issues in the bill.

Uptick in Fuel-Related Problems in Diesel Trucks

By Mike Antich

Who Will Succeed You as Fleet Manager?

By Mike Antich

Auto Focus

Chris Brown
Will the N.Y. Anti-steering Law Work?

By Chris Brown
Understanding the other side of the claims process can give independent RACs the tools to get more replacement business.

Customer Overbooking – A Car Rental Operator’s Nightmare

By Chris Brown
This letter from a car rental operator provides an on-the-ground view of how one customer can tax system resources to the point of blowing profit right out of the water.

New Ford Explorer Saves Fuel, but What About Capabilities?

By Chris Brown

A Few Thoughts on Better Utilization of Fleet Vehicles

By Chris Brown

STORE

$5.00

Business Fleet Magazine - July/August 2010

In This Issue:
Here are some of the Highlights:

  • 6 Ways to Save Fuel Now
  • Biodiesel by the Numbers
  • Small Fleet Right-Sizes Lease Program
    And much more…