Business Fleet – Issue

January 2010

Cover Story
Using Safety Technology to Combat Distracted Driving
By Thi Dao

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

Features

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.

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.

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.

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.

DEPARTMENTS


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.


How Will New CAFE Standards Affect Fleets?

By Chris Brown

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

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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

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Business Fleet - March/April 2010

In This Issue:
Here are some of the Highlights:

  • Fleet vs. Consumer Leasing
  • When Renting is a Good Idea
  • Staples Fleet Tests Diesel-Electric Viability
    And much more…