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Dan Powers
Donlen Corporation
Manager of Consignment Sales
What's New? Plenty!
Traditionally, the fall used car market brings the strongest returns of the year, so we expected Dan to give us positive news about the market. But when he said he is seeing remarkable returns on even higher mileage vehicles, we wanted to hear more.
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Dexter Turner
Optimization Technologies
President and CEO
Charge That, Please!
We've been paying a lot of attention to electric vehicles and the systems that will support them. Dexter talks to us about charging stations. Universities, for example, are getting inquiries from their students about the availability of charging stations that can be accessed by something as simple as an I.D. card.
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Ross Haith
Leggett & Platt CVP
Group VP Marketing, Sales and Service
Innovative Products, Seamless Delivery
When we met Ross at FedFleet, one of the questions we asked him was about trends he was seeing in the fleet industry. We were encouraged when he told us that he believes the industry is poised to rebound in early 2010.
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Stats and Smart Charts
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U.S. Commercial Vehicle Registrations – 2004 to 2013
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 - Just like light vehicles, commercial vehicle market impacted by downward spiral
- Mostly used for construction, wholesale deliveries, and service sector
- In 2009, vehicles in GVW classes 3-8 projected to drop 3rd straight year
- In 2010, sales are expected to rebound
- Sales expected to top 12M mark in 2011, according to Polk
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Industry Events
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National Conference State Fleet Administrators
Hilton Indian Lakes Resort
Chicago, IL
September 27, 2009
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National Auto Auction Association
San Francisco Marriott
55 Fourth Street
San Franciso, CA
September 29 - October 2, 2009
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NAFA Fleet Management Association
Fleet Management Seminar
October 14-16,2009
Advanced Fleet Management Seminar
October 16-18,2009
Marriott Detroit at the Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI
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J.D. Power Automotive Roundtable
Redrock Resort
Las Vegas, NV
October 14-16, 2009
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The Business of Plugging In: A Plug-in Electric Vehicle Conference
Motor City Hotel & Conference Center
Detroit, MI
October 19-21, 2009
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Fleet People Going Places
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Rita Ennis
PHH Arval
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Rita Ennis will be one of the featured speakers in the Conference Board’s 2009 Strategic Outsourcing Conference in Dallas, Texas, on September 24-25, 2009. The theme of the Conference is "Maximizing Outsourcing Strategies in Challenging Times," and Ennis will be presenting on The Future of Human Resources Outsourcing.
She has been a strategic leader at PHH Arval since she joined the company in 1986, and has been its senior HR leader for a decade. She was named an HRO Today Magazine "HRO Superstar" of 2007, 2008 and 2009 for her expertise in HR outsourcing, and is a frequent speaker on a range of human resources and business topics.
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Robert Betagole
Mike Albert Vehicle Fleet Management
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Albert Vehicle Fleet Management CEO Robert Betagole was inducted into the Fleet Hall of Fame at the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association’s (AFLA) annual meeting in Phoenix Sept. 10. Sponsored by AFLA and presented by Automotive Fleet magazine, Hall of Fame members are chosen based on their status as industry leaders and pioneers who have contributed significantly to the commercial fleet management profession. Betagole was one of nine inductees honored at the event.
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| Managing Your FleetTrends, Issues & Opportunities |
Government Releases Proposed Fuel Economy, Emissions Standards
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Federal regulators have released proposed fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards that were previously announced in May by President Barack Obama. The announcement precedes upcoming international talks on global climate change and could serve as a concrete step forward in the administration's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Wide Support for Ban on Texting While Driving
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Powerful economic interests including automakers and the mobile communications industry are in agreement with the federal government to ban driving while texting (DWT). These interests hope to stave off efforts to make all use of mobile communications while driving illegal despite evidence that even hands-free talking is a distraction.
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| Manufacturer DevelopmentsDesign, Production, & Services |
Ford's Smaller Minivan to Challenge Chrysler Dominance
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Ford sees an opportunity to bring a European-sized minivan into the American market. The automaker will unveil its new C-Max platform at the upcoming Frankfort Motor Show. The largest vehicle to be built on this platform, the Grand C-Max, is slated for introduction to U.S. consumers in 2012. Automakers are reacting to the new federal CAFE standards that will be going into effect soon. The size of the subcompact market remains small, but Ford sees an unserved niche.
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Global Taste for Bright Colors Coming to U.S.
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Car and truck buyers will be treated to vehicles with brighter colors in the coming model years. Ford is already seeing an increased demand for non-traditional colors on certain Mustang and truck models. Research conducted by Ford in Europe and Asia points to a shift in consumer buying habits. The new Ford Fiesta, slated to be in dealer showrooms next summer, will sport new, Europe-tested, bright colors.
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| Driving Green Initiatives, Actions, & Implementations |
House Approves Bill for Green Vehicle Research
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The U.S. House approved a bill 312-144 which would boost federal funding for green vehicle research. It authorizes $2.9 billion over five years and is part of Congress' efforts to aid the struggling auto industry. Funding includes $550 million starting Oct. 1 for the Energy Department to research and develop advanced technology vehicles and components.
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Electrics Take Center Stage at Frankfurt
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Notable absences at the Frankfurt Auto Show reflected the auto industry's troubles around the world. But attention on new electric vehicles introduced at the show served notice of the industry's future. "Like in hybrids, the Japanese are ahead of the Germans in electric cars. One of the reasons is the battery technology which in Japan is systematically further developed. Another reason is Germans' strength in diesel," said one German analyst.
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| The Intelligent Vehicle Telematics, Telecommunications, &
Technology |
Analysts Consider Impact of Industry Changes on Technology
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The changing automotive landscape will have a lasting impact on vehicle technology. Analysts say automakers must address emerging and mature markets, sustainability, changing demographics, and new business models.
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Research Schools Studying How to Improve Vehicle Safety
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New England University Transportation Center and MIT’s AgeLab researchers are testing drivers and vehicle technology in an effort to build a safer vehicle. The car would not only detect problems with the driver but correct the unsafe situation.
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| Driver Safety Management Practices, Policy, & Training |
Most Drivers Support Blood Alcohol Screening Device in Vehicles
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The U.S. government is working on technology that could be installed in all new vehicles to screen drivers for illegal blood alcohol levels before allowing them to drive. Most drinkers and non-drinkers in recent survey supported the idea so long as the technology didn’t cost too much and was reliable.
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Car Buyers Can Expect Fewer Stars on Federal Safety Ratings
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Stickers on 2011 model vehicles will be using a stricter rating standard aimed at differentiating the safest cars on the market from others. If a vehicle goes from 5 stars to 4 it isn't less safe, it could actually be more safe. Five stars will be hard to get.
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