| Video News & Views
PEOPLE & IDEAS TO WATCH | Partnership Approach to Fleet Management | | NAFA has been a vital partner to this veteran fleet manager |
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July 01, 2010
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| Fleet Trends & Issues |
Opportunities & Successful Fleet Management |
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Negligent Entrustment Bert Grayson, a consultant whose specialty is helping attorneys and fleets in negligent entrustment cases, told me in an exclusive interview.... Just in case there are any fleet managers whose companies wont invest in checking MVRs and vigilance about removing drivers... A recent case has very simple facts and a very scary outcome.. A driver has gotten his third moving violation in a short period of time. The fleet safety committee tells the driver via the fleet department to turn in his company car. He responds by suggesting he will have the wife drive the company car and he will drive the family car on his sales calls. They agree to consider the idea and subsequently learn he is actually divorced. The driver is once again advised to surrender the car. He promises to do so and never actually does it. The result of not following up to be sure he does is .. he has an accident and costs the company something over 2. million.. Another equally frightening case.. A very good worker is somehow able to do his job while drinking. Sadly he is one of those people whose personal problems overwhelm him. The company has some idea he is a day time drinker but he is somehow able to do his job exceedingly well. Finally after pressure from customers they decide to give him some time off.. The job requires him to have a company pick up truck which doesn't get removed. While still in possession of the truck our driver decides to drive home. Unfortunately he has a traffic accident and severely injures another party. Something approaching 6 million is the expected outcome.. Bert suggests a thorough review of fleet policy is money well spent. There are several more of these cases pending Bert served as fleet manager at Coulter Electronics for 11 years, Citicapital Fleet, National Accts Regional VP 9 years and now for the last eight years expert witness and consultant to major law firms across the US. While specializing in Negligent Entrustment cases Bert was instrumental in obtaining three settlements totalling over eight million dollars. Other assignments produced similar results in the area of vehicle maintenance and fleet practices.
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| Managing Your Fleet Selector |
OEM & Equipment Manufacturer
Products & Services |
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2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD The Chevrolet Silverado HD is being thoroughly revised for the 2011 model year. Apart from a couple of nuts, bolts and badges, everything on this lineup of heavy-duty pickups has been changed. There will be 11 different 2500 models (sometimes called 3/4 ton) and eight 3500 models (sometimes called 1-ton). Vinyl-floor WT (Work Truck) to luxury LTZ trim levels are offered, and a new Crew Cab 3500 short bed (6.5 foot) model will be available. Read more
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2011 Honda Odyssey The word minivan generates all sorts of images, but it's safe to say that lightning bolts aren't among them. Yet the lightning bolt will be a key element in the design of the fourth generation Honda Odyssey, unveiled as a concept at February's Chicago Auto Show. Although it was presented as a concept, the Odyssey's exterior is 99 percent production accurate, according to a Honda insider. It's a much sportier look for Honda's popular people-hauler. Read more
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2011 Infiniti M The 2011 Infiniti M37 and Infiniti M56will add considerable power, technology and style without a commensurate increase in weight. Just half an inch longer than the outgoing model, the 2011 Infiniti M looks better because it is lower, two inches wider, and the roofline flows into a brief decklid with curved upper lip. Jaguar's XF profile comes to mind. However, the M's compact nose with sloping hood and mild fender bulges mixes Infiniti FX elements with wheel arches like Mazda and Mercedes sedans. Read more
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| Association News & Views |
Activities, Events & Success Stories |
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NAFA Congratulates Rick Longobart On Leadership Award Rick Longobart has become the latest Member of NAFA to be recognized with a fleet industry award. The Facilities and Fleet Manager for the City of Santa Ana, California earned the first ever Government Fleet magazine Visionary Leadership Award at the 2010 Government Fleet Expo & Conference on June 22 in Austin, Texas. The award recognized Longobart for being an innovative fleet manager. Innovative is a good description of Longobart, who was a finalist for the 2009 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Award and whose fleet was named as one of the 100 Best Fleets of 2010. In addition, Longobart was honored with NAFA’s 2009 Green Fleet Award and was presented with a Fleet Environmental Leadership Award at the 2009 Green Fleet Conference. Longobart has been a Member of NAFA’s Pacific Southwest Chapter since joining the Association in 2008. His fleet was joined on the list of 100 Best Fleets by more than 50 fellow NAFA Members proving, yet again, that the best and brightest minds in fleet management are part of NAFA Fleet Management Association. "NAFA would like to congratulate Rick Longobart on being named the first recipient of Government Fleet magazine’s Visionary Leadership Award," said NAFA’s Executive Director, Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "We are always proud when Members of our Association receive recognition for the fine work they do in helping the fleet management profession reach new levels." Longobart is currently President of the Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association.
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Janice Sutton, Editor
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Did you participate in PHH Arval's Green Fleet Survey? In Fleet Resources, Papers & Advice this week you'll want to check out the survey results. We were encouraged to hear that nearly half of fleets are measuring emissions.We're making progress. In The Fleet Spot this week: We met Ken and Marja Thompson, executives at Australaisian Fleet Managers Association at NAFA I&E in Detroit this spring and were pleased to have the opportunity to interview Ken. We're already looking ahead to March 2011 to attend the Australasian National Fleet Conference and Exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. Also in Detroit, we talked with LeasePlan's Matt Betz and Jon Toups about the fleet management company's focus on the government fleet sector. Matt recently joined LeasePlan and is clearly excited about the direction the company is taking in this important market. Mary Terraszas is our eagle-eyed editor here at Automotive Information Network and has worked in the fleet arena for many years and some of you have had the pleasure of working with her. We were delighted to join her and her husband, Vick, in the joyful celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary last week. We wish this wonderful couple continued happiness. And we wish all of you a safe and happy July 4th holiday! Janice Sutton
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| Places, Sites, and People for New Ideas
& Applications |
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PHH Arval - 2010 Green Survey Results PHH Arval recently completed its annual survey of fleet managers on the subject of environmental issues. Like last year, the survey was distributed via the web and included responses from a wide variety of fleet managers. Some key findings: - 49% of fleets are measuring emissions
- 74% of fleet managers are reaching out to drivers for their help
- 42% see costs as a barrier to greening their fleets
Read more
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Beggs on the Used Car Market Over the past few weeks we have seen signs that the normal summer slowdown for the wholesale side in sales and prices that occurs around the Fourth of July has arrived a little early. Normally, sales remain on a steady upward trend from late winter through the first few weeks of July, peaking about the second week of the month. Our conversations with dealers, combined with the data from the auctions, indicate that wholesale prices have definitely peaked about a month earlier than normal. As a result, prices have generally declined in the guide this month. Read more
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Ken Thompson
Australasian Fleet Managers Association
Director of Research and Communications
Fleet Management Down Under
We met Ken at NAFA I&E and were delighted to have the opportunity to talk with him about trends in fleet management in Australia and New Zealand. Mark your calendars: the 2011 Australasian conference is slated for March 22 and 23.
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Matthew Betz
LeasePlan USA
VP of Government Fleet Services
Focus on Government Fleet Services
Matt, a 30-year industry veteran, has recently joined LeasePlan USA to lead the company's government fleet services program. We caught up with him at NAFA I&E to learn more about LeasePlan's focus on this marketplace.
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Jon Toups
LeasePlan USA
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Sky's the Limit!
When we asked Jon to tell us more about LeasePlan USA's commitment to the government fleet market, he said, "Now that we've got the right person to lead our effort, the sky is the limit."
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FedFleet 2010
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, AZ
July 13-15, 2010
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Plug-In 2010 Conference & Exposition
San Jose Convention Center
San Jose, CA
July 26-29, 2010
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National Auto Auction Association
New York Hilton
New York , NY
September 7-10, 2010
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AFLA 2010 Conference
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa at Summerlin
Las Vegas, NV
September 8-10, 2010
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Green Fleet Conference 2010
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
October 18-19, 2010
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| Conference Planning Guide |
Exhibitors, Educational Sessions, & Events |
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2010 AFLA Conference: Turn Change Into Opportunity If you haven't already registered, it's time to start thinking about AFLA's 2010 Conference held this year in Las Vegas from September 8th to the 10th at the beautiful JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa at Summerlin. Take a look at just a few of the sessions: The Current State of the Auto Industry: John McElroy, Auto Industry Expert and Producer of Autoline Detroit Extending Vehicle Replacement Cycles and How it Can Impact Your Fleet: Panel discussion of the implications of extended cycling Is your Fleet Exposed? Legal Implications that Affect your Fleet Policies: Richard D. Alaniz, Senior Partner at Alaniz and Schraeder Electronic Toll Systems and Considerations for Corporate Fleets: JJ Eden, COO for the North Carolina Turnpike Authority Click here for more information
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Stats and Smart Charts
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Consumer Confidence – June 2010
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 - Consumers’ frustrations w/ oil slick in Gulf seem to be manifesting in confidence this month
- In June, fewer than 1 in 3 (30.2%) indicate they are very confident/confident in chances for strong economy
- Marking 2nd consecutive month of decline
- While confidence has lowered more than point from May (31.5%), this month’s reading is on par w/ June '09 (30.2%) and remains much improved from June '08 (18.8%)
- Data comes from BIGresearch June 2010 Executive Briefing
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Last Minute News
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Analysts: Fleet sales mask low demand Fleet sales are expected to once again prop up June car and truck sales when figures are released Thursday, masking weak demand among retail customers. Industry analysts believe June sales will outpace June 2009 as businesses and governments replenish their aging motor pools after delaying purchases amid the recession. Read more Chrysler pushes natural gas autos Compressed natural gas could be a near-term solution until Chrysler Group LLC gets electric vehicles on the market in 2012. "It is the most effective solution, in terms of costs and timing, to lessen this country's reliance on oil. Today, natural gas is a rational alternative to gasoline that can provide a near-term environmental solution on the road to vehicle electrification," CEO Sergio Marchionne said, noting the fuel has 25 percent fewer emissions and is 25 percent cheaper than gasoline. Read more Fuel 101: Know what you put in your car Given all the talk about electric cars, clean diesel, ethanol and more, it can be confusing to know how fuels work and their advantages and disadvantages. Here's a guide. Read more
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Fleet People Going Places
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Terri Stiffler
AmeriFleet Transportation
Director, Client Relations
AmeriFleet Transportation, the Atlanta-based industry leader in total logistics solutions and transportation services to the fleet management and corporate fleet industry, announces the promotion of Terri Stiffler to Director, Client Relations.
Stiffler joined AmeriFleet in 2002 as an account consultant and most recently held the position of Client Relations Manager, AmeriFleet Canada. AmeriFleet created the new position of Director, Client Relations to insure execution of their strategic geographic expansion initiatives in both the Canadian and U.S. markets. In her new role, Stiffler will focus on the continued development and growth of AmeriFleet’s Canadian business unit through consultative sales efforts and client relations. She will also work on strategic growth initiatives and client development in the U.S. Prior to joining AmeriFleet, Stiffler held a position as a service center liason with PHH, one of the world’s leading fleet management companies.
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Chris Hurren
ARI Financial Services, Inc.
Vice President Finance and Accounting
ARI Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Automotive Resources International (ARI), a leading global fleet solutions provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, welcomes Chris Hurren as Vice President Finance and Accounting.
Hurren comes to ARI from BMW Group Canada where he served first as treasurer and director of tax and then as corporate controller over the past seven years. Prior to BMW, Chris worked at General Motors of Canada as a senior treasury analyst and financial analyst. He commenced his accounting career with KPMG and served as an audit manager. Hurren received his Masters of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario. Chris is designated as a Chartered Accountant (CA) and as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
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| Managing Your FleetTrends, Issues & Opportunities |
More Trucking Operations to be Reviewed by New FMCSA CSA 2010
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FMCSA intends to interact with many more trucking operations using Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) as the replacement for the existing SafeStat system. The intent is to identify unsafe over-the-road truckers and reduce truck-involved crashes, injuries and fatalities.
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Fleet Testing of 2011 Pre-Production Ford Super Duty Trucks Going Well
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Fleets testing pre-production 2011 Ford Super Duty trucks are pleased with results after averaging 22,000 miles. Improved fuel-economy, less noise, added power, off-road maneuverability, Sync communications and B20 compatibility are highlights of fleet praise for test trucks.
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| Manufacturer DevelopmentsDesign, Production, & Services |
Kbb.com: Ford F-150 Best Full-Size Pickup
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In kbb.com "First to Worst" comparison test of full-size pickups, the Ford F-150 came in best, the only pickup to offer Roll Stability Control as standard, coupled with its AdvanceTrac electronic stability control.
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Big Improvement in 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is much improved over its predecessor and available in dealerships now. Fuel-economy is still poor, but the new V-6 engine is more powerful and interior room is much better due to the extended wheel base.
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| Driving Green Initiatives, Actions, & Implementations |
Proper Tire Inflation Essential to Safety, Fuel Economy
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The U.S. EPA is reminding motorists of the importance of proper tire inflation to safe vehicle operation and fuel efficiency. Half of vehicles have underinflated tires which reduce loads, fail to grip while cornering and reduce fuel economy 0.3% for every 1-pound drop in air pressure for each tire. This can result in a cost of 8-9 cents/gallon for severe underinflation.
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Consumer Reports Staff Takes Chevrolet Volt for Test Drive
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As the Chevy Volt moves toward dealer lots by the end of this year, many people are anxious to test out the extended range plug-in hybrid. The staff at Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center had their own curiosity and tested out two Volts at its Connecticut test facility. Editors were impressed with the cars' on-road behavior, space and comfort.
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| The Intelligent Vehicle Telematics, Telecommunications, &
Technology |
J.D. Power Report Confirms Interest in Emerging Technologies for Vehicles
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The J.D. Power 2010 US Automotive Emerging Technologies Study reveals strong consumer interest in vehicles having some capabilities similar to smartphones. The study also measured interest in other technologies such as safety but found interest often dropped when prices were mentioned.
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X Prize Competition Offers $10M in Prizes to Stimulate Fuel-Efficiency Race
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Prudential Insurance is sponsoring an X Prize competition with $10 million in prizes to stimulate innovation in vehicle design to achieve 100+ fuel efficiency, no more than 200 grams per mile CO2 running viable fuels, and can hit the market in four years. Twenty competitors entered the qualifying rounds hoping to move on to the finals July 19-30.
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| Driver Safety Management Practices, Policy, & Training |
Interstate Truck, Bus Texting Ban to be Followed by Rules on Other Distractions
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's rulemaking process will be final in fall 2010. It will be followed closely by rulemaking on other distractions including cellphone, CB radio and dispatch system use based on August recommendations of the FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.
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Feds, Automakers Tackle Drunk Driving with Technology
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The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 now includes an additional $60 million to develop an in-vehicle alcohol detection system which would disable the vehicle for those with illegal blood alcohol levels. The development has already been funded at $10 million with half coming from automakers hoping to use the technology.
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| Fleet Vehicle Remarketing Marketing Strategies, Channels,
& Sales Data |
Manheim's Webb Sees Mixed Messages in Latest Economic News
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A recent Gallup poll on U.S. retail sales citing household incomes suggests conflicting messages from a used-vehicle perspective, says Manheim's Tom Webb. Retail sales up, then down, suggests lack of strong consumer confidence in a shaky economic recovery. "May retail sales were reflective of the loss of several temporary stimulus programs — state and local credits for home buying, rebates for appliance purchases and the massive tax refund season. As such, May should be considered the more normal trend. With readings of consumer confidence continuing to show increases, it won't take too much private sector hiring to once again lead to higher retail sales," he said.
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Strengthening Wholesale Market, Says Black Book
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In a "very active week," BB's managing editor, Ricky Beggs, cites positive movement in the auction market and used market wholesale values hit a two-month high. Negative value adjustments also showed better results with less overall decline. "The used-market continues to be a very key component in the auto industry, thus the strength in values and amount of activity. I just spent a few days in Detroit and was sure glad to see more upbeat views and news regarding quality levels, along with some exciting new products coming to market in the near future," he said.
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