| Video News & Views
PEOPLE & IDEAS TO WATCH | Why Propane? | | Roush CleanTech chose propane autogas and its technology because it's the third most commonly used engine fuel in the world, has range capability, and is domestic and affordable. |
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March 31, 2011
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| Fleet Trends & Issues |
Opportunities & Successful Fleet Management |
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Got Questions? Get Answers!
Two panels consisting of ten OEM fleet executives will provide direct and candid answers to your most pressing questions at NAFA I&E on Sunday, April 10th, at 10:15 AM. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Panel: Light Vehicle will be moderated by Chuck Parker, publisher of Automotive Information Network, parent of Fleet Management Weekly.
The panels will deal with as many topics as possible, from vehicle selection and safety to alternative fuels and telematics. Sources for the final questions will come from our subscribers, questions emailed in advance from fleet managers, text questions from the audience during each panel, and questions from the audience. What questions would you like to ask? Let your voice be heard! Simply send them to us at jsutton@automotivedigest.com
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| Must See & Do at NAFA 2011 |
Featured Exhibitors, Presenters
& Awards
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Habitat for Humanity Friday, April 8 - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Fleet managers from throughout North America will be rolling up their sleeves and picking up paint brushes and hammers as they help make a difference in the local Charlotte community. NAFA began its participation with Habitat for Humanity in 2009 when volunteers helped build homes in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and continued the following year in Detroit. All three years of Habitat for Humanity project participation were sponsored by LeasePlan USA, who is providing t-shirts and bottled water for the volunteers as well as paying for their lunch and transportation to the project. In addition, LeasePlan will be making a contribution to Charlotte Habitat for Humanity to help them continue their work throughout the year. Buses will depart from the Charlotte Westin at 7:30 a.m. and take the volunteers to the project where they will work until 4 p.m. In addition to providing a little sweat labor, NAFA will also make a contribution to help continue Habitat’s ongoing mission.
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Advanced Corporate Fleet Manager Education Track New to I&E in 2011, this track is designed to meet the needs of experienced corporate fleet managers to deliver timely and detailed information on today’s most current topics. Advanced corporate sessions will address: - The mobilization of fleet management
- IFRS convergence and how it will impact your fleet
- How you get remote drivers to change behaviors
- Global fleet management
- Managing through mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
- And more!
Sessions days and times vary. Visit the detailed program at www.NAFAinstitute.org
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Keynote Addresses Sunday, April 10, 9:15 am
Shane Terblanche, Vice President and General Manager for Navistar Electric Vehicles. He led Navistar's efforts to bring the first electric-born delivery vehicle to market in North America. Monday, April 11, 8:30 am
Don Esmond (pictured), Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations for Toyota. His distinguished career at Toyota includes serving first as Corporate Fleet and Truck Manager and then National Fleet Manager. Tuesday, April 12, 12:15 pm
Joe Gibbs, Legendary Pro Football Hall Of Fame coach and NASCAR racing team owner. Gibbs will provide his keynote address during NAFA's Chapter Recognition Luncheon.
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| Association News & Views |
Activities, Events & Success Stories |
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NAFA 2011 Institute & Expo Plan Your I&E Experience So much to do and see, and people to meet! Map and plan your show experience at NAFA I&E Free Pass to Show Floor and Keynote Sessions This pass entitles our readers to free admission to the Expo, plus you can attend a keynote speaker presentation. Sunday’s keynote presenter is Shane Terblanche, Vice President and General Manager, Navistar Electric Vehicles and Monday’s keynote presenter is Don Esmond, Senior Vice President - Automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. If you choose to attend on Sunday, you will also be able to attend the Networking Welcome Reception. If you choose to attend on Monday, you will have the opportunity to meet Joe Gibbs, legendary football coach and NASCAR race team owner on the floor next to car #18 driven by Kyle Busch.
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Janice Sutton, Editor
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NAFA I&E is only days away and we're all wrapped up in planning for the conference. We are scheduling interviews now and plan to talk with a cross-section of fleet management professionals. If you manage a fleet and would be willing to share some of the strategies you have in place to manage your fleet more efficiently, please drop me a line at jsutton@automotivedigest.com Congratulations to Todd Mouw, VP of sales and marketing at Roush CleanTech, and Joe Dalum, president of Odyne Systems. Todd has been elected president of the Green Truck Association, and Joe has been elected vice president. Green Truck Association is an affiliate division of the NTEA. In The Fleet Spot this week we feature Mac Yandell, director of AmeriTag, AmeriFleet Transportation's newest division. We're always interested to read about programs that deliver solid solutions to fleet problems. And this one does just that. Please check out our Fleet Management Weekly Fanpage, become a fan by clicking on the Like button, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fleet-Management-Weekly/203149889695398?sk=wall and follow us on twitter to get the latest Automotive News: http://twitter.com/autodigest Drive Safely, Janice
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Last Minute News
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Obama unveils 'green' federal auto fleet, oil strategy
President Barack Obama announced today that the U.S. government will buy only advanced technology vehicles - such as hybrids and electric plug-ins - by 2015. The government already has doubled the number of hybrids in the 600,000-vehicle federal fleet. Read more Half-price gasoline easy to find -- if it's natural gas
Gas for $1.93 a gallon? Dream on -- unless your car burns natural gas, still probably the most overlooked mainstream alternative fuel in the U.S. Read more Detroit-based firm brings high tech to transportation
A Detroit-based strategic investment firm co-founded by Bill Ford Jr. is bringing pay-by-phone parking to Michigan and the country. Out of quarters or in a rush to beat the meter maid? Read more
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| Places, Sites, and People for New Ideas
& Applications |
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Leasing 101
A Fundamental Course in Leasing Companies typically have two options for acquiring fleet vehicles: purchasing or leasing. Each of these options offer different advantages, so it is important to evaluate if your company is using the method that best fits your financial and administrative needs. Read more.
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Mac Yandell
AmeriTag
Director
L&T Solutions: Save Money, Save Time
AmeriFleet Transportation has added a new division, AmeriTag, in response to client requests for help with title and registration issues, even when a vehicle was not being moved. Mac heads up the team who provides this nationwide service and we wanted to hear all about it!
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Todd Mouw
ROUSH CleanTech
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Todd Mouw, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ROUSH CleanTech, was elected President of the Green Truck Association (GTA) an affiliate division of the NTEA. The GTA helps fleets, manufacturers and government agencies stay up-to-date with relevant regulatory and industry developments.
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Joseph Dalum
Odyne Systems LLC
President
Joe Dalum, President of Odyne Systems LLC, was elected Vice President of the Green Truck Association (GTA) The NTEA provides in-depth technical information, education, and member programs and services, and produces The Work Truck Show.
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| Managing Your Fleet Trends, Issues & Opportunities |
Analysts Fear GM Repeating Mistakes of the '90s
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Some industry observers are expressing concern that GM's new driver, CEO Daniel Akerson, is unfamiliar with the car market terrain and could steer GM into a ditch. Among other charges, they believe GM is relying heavily on incentives to artificially inflate sales, which ultimately leads to lower resale vales. Peter Delorenzo, founder of autoextremeist.com, says, "I've seen this movie before, and it doesn't end well."
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Valvoline Enters Synthetic, Recycled Oil Business
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Leading motor oil supplier Valvoline is taking careful steps to introduce recycled oil products to the buying public through its NextGen line of synthetic motor oils. The prices are competitive, which is a plus since environmentally-conscious products tend to cost more than their standard counterparts and is an important part of gaining fleet and retail consumer acceptance.
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| Driver Safety Management Practices, Policy, & Training |
You Can't Get Around Them!
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As a result of the efforts of four U.S. Senators (Reid, Schumer, Lautenberg, and Udall), RIM, maker of Blackberry phones, will remove from their online store a smartphone app which could be used to locate DUI police checkpoints. A combination of user-submitted information along with GPS features would permit the avoidance of checkpoints set up to capture those driving under the influence of alcohol. The senators have extended their request to Google and Apple.
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Feds May Require Vehicle Backup Cameras by 2014
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NHTSA is taking public comment on the need to require backup camera technology on all vehicles. Tragic stories have been given of deaths and injuries as a result of being hit by a vehicle while backing up. Backup cameras could be installed on all vehicles by 2014 at a cost of $60 to $300.
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| Manufacturer Developments Design, Production, & Services |
Toyota to Enter Plug-in Market with Prius Model
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Toyota has produced only one model from the Prius platform in the past 10 years, the Prius sedan. Soon there will be four models: the regular, third-generation Prius sedan currently offered; the Prius V, which is basically a Prius station wagon; the Prius C, which is a sporty hatchback, and the Prius PHV, or "Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle."
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Automakers Make Case Against New Fuel, Safety Rules
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Sensing the political climate is on their side, automakers are working for a more favorable process to meet upcoming federal fuel economy and safety standards. One priority is to preempt states from overriding the government and setting their own fuel requirements.
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| Driving Green Initiatives, Actions, & Implementations |
Long-Term Gas Price Hike Important for Car Buyers to See
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Automakers must meet ambitious fuel economy goals in the next four years, while consumers have been slow to upgrade their fuel efficiency buying decisions. Rising gas prices are having an impact, but consumers will need to sense a long-term gas price increase to significantly change their choices.
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AT&T Going After Wireless Electric Car Market
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Ford and Nissan have both chosen AT&T for wireless connectivity for their plug-in electric cars. The idea is that better connectivity can beat back range anxiety, or fear of limited EV battery range. It ties in well with Ford's announcement about its MyFord Mobile app at the CES conference.
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| The Intelligent Vehicle Telematics, Telecommunications, &
Technology |
Honey, Where's My Car?
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The BMW ConceptVision Connect Drive is a technology that gives the vehicle an ability to "know" its surroundings. This could help drivers find the best traffic routes and restaurants plus help improve safety.
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Auto Test Reviewer Finds Problems With Techno Gadgets
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After an auto critic writing in the Philadelphia Inquirer found a test vehicle wouldn't let him turn on the air conditioning, he looked into other ways advanced communication technology can affect motorists. Possibilities include stealing cars remotely or hacking into vehicle operation.
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| Fleet Vehicle Remarketing Marketing Strategies, Channels,
& Sales Data |
CNW Sees Change in Car-Truck Mix
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CNW Research has identified a shift in dealers' used-vehicle inventory, noting a shortage of cars over trucks. Overall used-vehicle supply for March is 48.3 days. Gas-price anxiety may be prompting more car sales, leading to higher truck inventory.
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Quake May be Fueling Aggressive Auction Bidding
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Black Book editor Rick Beggs wonders if the Japanese earthquake and resulting inventory challenges for new vehicles could be prompting higher bids in the auction lanes. If dealers can't get new vehicles, they will try to direct customers into a late-model used car or truck.
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Plug-in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure USA 2011
Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa
San Diego, CA
March 31-April 1, 2011
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NAFA 2011 Institute & Expo
Charlotte Convention Center
Charlotte, NC
April 9-12, 2011
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RIMS 2011 Annual Conference & Exhibition
Vancouver Convention Centre West
Vancouver, Canada
May 1-5, 2011
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NVLA Conference
The Allerton Hotel on Magnificent Mile
Chicago, Ill.
May 11-13, 2011
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The Great West Truck Show
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, NV
June 9-11, 2011
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Stats and Smart Charts
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Harris Poll 2011 Automotive Brand Rankings
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 - Ford and Chevrolet are seeing benefits from effective product lines and marketing among consumers, as demonstrated in 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend study
- Toyota was bumped from number 1 to number 4 in rankings
- As domestic brands create growing appeal among US consumers
- Mercedes-Benz ranked highest among Luxury Automotive brands
- Last year’s highest ranked company, Lexus, ranked 2nd, followed by BMW and Infiniti
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