Business Fleet - Current Articles

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

By Chad Simon

These "first adopters" have created a blueprint for other companies on how to green their fleets while staying within budget.

Tags: Cruise Car, Electric Truck, Fuel-Efficient, hybrid, Smith Electric Vehicles, ZAP

By Chris Brown

Certified pre-owned vehicles (CPO) are pristine used units that offer the peace of mind of extended manufacturers' warranties. But will they save money for your fleet over buying new?

Tags: certified pre-owned vehicles

By Chad Simon

Fuel efficiency, low operating costs, user-friendliness, reliability and safety are all features that helped propel the Silverado to its second straight Fleet Truck of the Year title.

Tags: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, active fuel management, fuel, hybrid

By Cheryl Knight

Chevrolet wins Fleet Car of the Year four years running. This year, fleets commend the Malibu for exceptional fuel economy, impressive styling and reduced maintenance expenses.

Tags: 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Fleet Car of the Year, fuel

By Tamara Holmes

Incorporating flexing and stretching techniques into the driving day can help your fleet drivers steer clear of work-related pain and injuries, cutting down on worker's compensation costs and keeping them focused on a safe trip.

By Chad Simon

Do you really know when your employees are stealing fuel? A reputable fuel card program all but eliminates instances of misuse by nailing every purchase down to location, driver, time of day, miles per gallon and fuel grade.

Tags: fuel

By Chad Simon

Paramus, N.J.-based pest control company clamps down on expenses with a GPS system, fuel card and strict preventive maintenance.

Tags: fuel, GPS, Leasing, Maintenance

By Cindy Brauer

Fleet drivers put fuel-conscious techniques to the test on a street course in Phoenix.

Tags: eco-driving, fuel

By Chad Simon

By driving responsibly, fleet drivers can increase their overall fuel efficiency by up to 24 percent.

Tags: eco-driving, EPA, fuel, mpg

By Colin Sutherland

The next step in using GPS tracking technology is to manage miles, fuel and customer activity together to achieve greater net profit per visit.

Tags: engine diagnostics, GPS, tracking technology

By Chris Brown

BF gave the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 a beating to prove its best-in-class features.

Tags: F-150, Ford

By Cindy Brauer

A group of 43 fleet professionals tested the newest iteration of Audi’s mid-size sedan on the racetrack, against competitors, and in the hills of California’s Sonoma wine country.

Tags: 2009 Audi A4, Audi

By Daryl Lubinsky

Two home healthcare providers implement ways to control fleet costs using their managed fleet programs, which would not have been possible under a reimbursement plan.

Tags: High Fuel Costs , Managed Fleet Program, reimbursement