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Monday, March 22, 2010

Business Fleet – Market Trends

NHTSA Proposal to Reduce Braking Distances Will Not Require Retrofitting Existing Units

March 31, 2009

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing to amend its air brake standard to improve the stopping distance performance of commercial trucks. Based on current safety trend data and brake system technologies, NHTSA is proposing to reduce the required stopping distance for truck tractors by 20 to 30 percent. The proposed rule would cover all truck tractors equipped with air brakes. The proposed rule does not include single unit trucks, buses, or trailers.

Tags: commercial vehicles, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, NHTSA

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:04 AM | » Comments(1)

Resale Values Up, But Market Remains Fragile

March 20, 2009

Wholesale used-vehicle prices during fourth quarter 2008 were the worst on record. Since then, wholesale prices rose significantly in January through March. The improvement in pricing in 1Q 2009 reflects better-than-expected retail sales of used vehicles. Resale values for mid-size sedans are substantially higher than in 2008, as are prices for light-duty trucks and SUVs. However, consumer confidence and credit availability remain two wildcards to the market's ongoing vitality.

Tags: Resale Value, used vehicles, wholesale market

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Friday, March 20, 2009 4:13 PM | » Comments(0)

Commercial Leases are Now Eligible Collateral to be Funded by TALF Program

March 17, 2009

The credit gridlock gripping the nation's economy has made it more difficult (and expensive) to fund fleet vehicles using asset-backed securities. Last February, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury launched a joint program called the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) to improve credit conditions in the securitization markets. On March 3, the Federal Reserve expanded the definition of eligible collateral under TALF to include commercial leases. Here's how the program works.

Tags: collateral, commercial leases, Credit, Federal Reserve, securitization markets, TALF, Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, U.S. Treasury

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:07 AM | » Comments(0)

9 Mistakes to Avoid When Playing "Musical Cars"

March 10, 2009

Since the recession's start at the beginning of 2008, 4.4 million jobs have been lost due to corporate downsizings and layoffs. Many terminated employees were assigned company vehicles. In today's politically correct HR environment, the term "reverse expansion" is being used to describe the retrieval and reassignment of company-provided vehicles from terminated employees. A fleet manager suddenly thrust into a reverse expansion will find it very easy to make mistakes.

Tags: assigned vehicles, company vehicles, HR, layoffs, recession, reverse expansion, terminated employees

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:31 AM | » Comments(1)

Before You Call the Police, Think of the Impact on Resale Value

March 2, 2009

Massive layoffs are occurring throughout the economy, and many companies find that terminated employees are not returning their assigned company vehicles. Sometimes, the company-provided vehicle is held "hostage" until the employer meets a grievance by the terminated employee. Unfortunately, many HR and legal departments take the "easy way" and are too quick to involve the police to expedite resolution.

Tags: company vehicles, layoffs, police reports, Resale Value

Author: Mike Antich | Posted @ Monday, March 2, 2009 3:43 PM | » Comments(0)

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AUTHOR BIO

Mike Antich

Editor & Associate Publisher

Mike Antich has been covering the fleet management and vehicle remarketing markets for more than 20 years. During this period, Mike has written or edited more than 4,600 articles on the subjects of fleet management, manufacturer fleet activities, the fleet leasing industry, and vehicle remarketing.

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