| Video News & Views
PEOPLE & IDEAS TO WATCH | Making Fuel Cell Cars Competitive with Hybrids | | Mercedes-Benz has recently begun leasing the F-Cell luxury car. What will it take to bring the vehicle's cost down and introduce a broad range of models? |
| | | | |
|
May 05, 2011
|
|
| |
 |
| Fleet Trends & Issues |
Opportunities & Successful Fleet Management |
 |
Negligent Entrustment: Building a Record Attorney John Cruickshank says negligent entrustment lawsuits are won and lost exclusively on the record. How good are your records? This is the third in a series of articles on the topic of negligent entrustment By John E. Cruickshank , Attorney at Law, Alaniz & Schraeder L.L.P. Regularly verifying your drivers' status to operate motor vehicles is important not just for identifying drivers who are no longer competent to operate vehicles, it is also essential for what we lawyers call "building a record". Negligent entrustment lawsuits are won and lost exclusively on the record, showing the paper trail behind what you did and didn't do and determining whether or not that driver was competent to drive a vehicle. Negligent entrustment is a timeline that ends at the accident. The record is the paper that you generated long before that, whether you ran motor vehicle reports every year, whether you followed up on accidents that you were involved in, whether you drug tested or conducted physical examinations as required. If you didn't do that, even if the driver was competent, you are failing to establish the record which is what you need to defeat a negligent entrustment claim when it is filed. The absence of the record is more damaging than a harmful record in its place.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave LeFever Receives Distinguished Service Award A familiar face to many returned to NAFA’s annual conference for the first time in more than 5 years to receive the Association’s coveted Distinguished Service Award. Dave Lefever, who as NAFA’s Executive Director led the Association for two decades during an important era in fleet management, was honored on April 9 during NAFA’s Annual Business Meeting in Charlotte, NC. "I had the privilege to be with you during exciting and turbulent times," said Lefever upon accepting the award. "We were involved in battling alternative fuel mandates that could have put an end to corporate fleets and created incredible organizational burdens for government fleets. My most vivid memories are the ways that NAFA Members supported this profession and each other. Read more
|
|
Patti Early, CAFM, Honored With Excellence in Education Award For most of the past decade, Patti Earley, CAFM, has been one of the key driving forces in NAFA Fleet Management Association’s educational programs. She first joined NAFA’s FleetED Advisory Council and Certification Board in 2003, and has helped lead the Association’s educational efforts ever since. On April 12, Earley was recognized with NAFA’s Excellence In Education Award during the Association’s 2011 Institute & Expo in Charlotte, NC. "Her intelligence, professional experience in both the public and private sectors, and ’can do’ attitude made her an effective peer leader from the beginning," said NAFA Vice President Bryan Flansburg, CAFM. Read more
|
|
Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, Earns Goill Award When University of Colorado drivers needed immediate access to pool vehicles throughout the day, but faced a budget limiting the amount of employees available to staff the facility, NAFA Vice President Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, sought an automated system that would work with his existing software. Thanks to a pilot program with AssetWorks, the problem was not only solved but will bring about a return on investment in less than two years. Flansburg’s work earned him NAFA’s 2011 Larry Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award. Flansburg received his award during a ceremony on April 11 at NAFA’s 2011 Institute & Expo in Charlotte, NC. During the ceremony, NAFA Member Bob Stanton received his third career Goill Award for a plan to train and incentivize drivers to be more eco-friendly. Read more
|
|
|
| Association News & Views |
Activities, Events & Success Stories |
|
Telematics Detroit 2011 Telematics Detroit has been the industry's number one conference and annual meeting-place for 10 years in a row. We are pulling out all stops to make 2011 unbeatable! The show will give you the opportunity to network and share knowledge with the pioneers and decision-makers in the wireless automotive and mobile space. The conference features an impressive lineup of speakers, sessions and debate forums. Specific to fleets, Mark Smith, VP Strategic Consulting, GE Capital Fleet Services, will lead the session 'The Convergence of Green Technologies' - Telematics, the smart grid, and electric vehicles are forming a union. Discover the impact this will have on the commercial fleet marketplace.
- Understand how merging the three industries will impact commercial fleets and get tips on approaches you should be considering as you plan for the future
- Learn how to develop a game plan and business case in line with the green market in order to build a strategic roadmap for your fleet
- Learn how to leverage existing auto and grid technologies to design, build and deploy the fleet of the future
Click here for more information on Telematics Detroit 2011 - June 8-9 2011, The Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, MI
|
|
|
|
|
Janice Sutton, Editor
 |
We interviewed Glenn Ellis, vice president of Marketing and Dealer Operations for Hino Trucks at the recent The Work Truck Show. Be sure and read Glenn's interview in The Fleet Spot - he tells us about the cost effective and environmentally friendly Hino hybrid trucks now being introduced to the U.S. market. We congratulate the award winners at last month's NAFA I&E in Charlotte. This week we spotlight Dave LeFever, recipient of NAFA's Distinguished Service Award; Patti Earley, CAFM, honored with the Excellence in Education Award; and Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, one of two recipients of the Larry Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award. In the coming weeks we will feature all of the award winners. We loved Dave LeFever's comment about NAFA and its members when he received his well-earned recognition: "This community is marked by the generous giving of thousands of volunteers. You set the priorities, you guide the chapters, and you teach each other. You help each other find jobs - day after day, year after year, decade after decade. It’s a glorious history." Please check out our Fleet Management Weekly Fanpage , become a fan by clicking on the Like button, and follow us on twitter to get the latest Automotive News. Drive safely, Janice
|
|
| |
Last Minute News
|
|
New House Bill Would Add Incentives for Battery Cars
A new measure proposed by Congress would increase consumer and community subsidies to promote sales of battery cars like this Ford Focus Electric. The proposal would increase the current, $7,500 federal tax credit for buyers of qualifying electric vehicles to $9,500. And it would provide up to $300 million in funding to 10 cities to help them promote the sale and use of battery cars. Read more Rental car gas prices hit more than $9 a gallon
The price of gasoline has reached more than $9 a gallon for drivers who don't pay ahead of time and who return their rental cars without a full tank. Read more.
|
|
| |
 |
| Places, Sites, and People for New Ideas
& Applications |
|
Trucking Regulations and Cell Phone Use This ZoomSafer White Paper examines existing and proposed FMCSA regulations pertaining to employee use of cell phones while driving commercial motor vehicles. Read more
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
Glenn Ellis
Hino Trucks
Vice President, Marketing and Dealer Operations
A Perfect Hybrid Truck for Fleets
Glenn tells us about a fleet in Japan that operates over 3,000 vehicles and reports that their Hino hybrid vehicles are seeing a 30% improvement in fuel economy, in addition to substantial reductions in CO2 emissions. We met Glenn at The Work Truck Show and spoke with him the day after Hino introduced their new Class 4 and Class 5 hybrid cab-overs. He was as eager to talk with us as we were to listen.
- [Read More] |
Ali Khan
AmeriFleet Transportation Canada
Account Consultant
AmeriFleet Transportation announces the appointment of Ali Khan as Account Consultant. Kahn joins AmeriFleet from Scotiabank where he held the position of Account Manager. Kahn will be based in AmeriFleet's Ontario Canada office. In his new position he will consult with clients on logistics solutions. "Ali’s experience in account management, customer service and business development will be a major contribution to increasing our superior logistics service to our Canadian clients,” said Rich Pinnock, Senior Vice President Business Development, Chief Information Officer.
|
 |
Donald W. Dunphy
NAFA
Communications Assisant
NAFA Fleet Management Association welcomed writer Donald W. Dunphy on-board as Communications Assistant. Dunphy brings a unique set of skills to his new position at NAFA, including many years as a writer, graphic artist, and independent musician. Before he was hired, Dunphy had already demonstrated his proficient writing and reporting skills at NAFA. Working as a freelance writer several months ago, he adeptly authored the upcoming FLEETSolutions article “Removing the Risk from the Driver’s Seat”, which will be published in the next issue of the magazine.
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
| Managing Your Fleet Trends, Issues & Opportunities |
Federal Fleet Favors Advanced Technology Vehicles
 |
|
The GSA, General Services Administration, oversees a fleet of 600,000 vehicles and purchases 60,000 to 65,000 vehicles annually. President Obama has directed the GSA to buy only advanced technology vehicles by 2015. These vehicles include hybrids, electrics, E85 and fuel cell vehicles.
|
|
|
Understanding Gas Price Volatility
|
|
Conventional consumer wisdom wonders why gas prices don't fall as fast as they go up. Analysts also are perplexed, but one believes that as prices fall, consumers aren't as selective. That reduces competition and allows stations to squeeze a few cents more of profit.
|
|
|
 |
| Driver Safety Management Practices, Policy, & Training |
Hands-Free May Not Mean Hands-Free
|
|
California's 3 year old hands-free cell phone law prohibiting distracted driving has room for interpretation. GPS, cameras, music, voice recorders, email have all become a part of a cell phone. California permits the typing in of a phone number for a brief conversation but not texting at a stop light. Inland Empire law officers have a stricter interpretation of the law. Fines running $159 may increase to $300 under new legislation.
|
|
|
NHTSA Probing GM over Faulty Gas Gauges
|
|
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into whether nearly 1 million GM vehicles may have faulty gas gauges. The agency estimates 865,000 vehicles could be affected, and NHTSA said it has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Saab 9-7x vehicles.
|
|
|
 |
| Manufacturer Developments Design, Production, & Services |
BMW Boss Backs Down From EV Criticism
|
|
BMW North American CEO Jim O'Donnell apologized for recent comments that questioned the practicality of electric vehicles. He also had criticized the EV tax credit and clarified his position by saying that all tax credits should be abolished.
|
|
|
Lincoln Ready for Major Makeover
|
|
With the Mercury nameplate retired, Lincoln is looking to reinvent itself for a global presence. Officials say new Lincoln products must distinguish themselves from Ford and be attractive to overseas buyers.
|
|
|
 |
| Driving Green Initiatives, Actions, & Implementations |
Ford Plans to Lower Hybrid Cost by 30%
|
|
When assembly of the C-Max Hybrid crossover begins at the Michigan Assembly Plant outside Detroit next year, Ford expects that the cost of the vehicle's hybrid system will be 30 percent lower than that of the previous-generation hybrid system, introduced on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Ford's goal is to cut the cost of the next-generation Ford hybrid system another 30 percent but hasn't said when the next-generation hybrid system will be launched.
|
|
|
Chrysler Boss Says More Fuel Efficient Cars Coming
|
|
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says rising gas prices won't hurt the company despite its truck-heavy lineup and promised more fuel-efficient vehicles are coming. He said the automaker's fuel economy has already improved 40%. "We have not stood still in terms of improving the fuel efficiency of our fleet," Marchionne said.
|
|
|
 |
| The Intelligent Vehicle Telematics, Telecommunications, &
Technology |
GM, Ford Adopting Stop-Start Technology
|
|
Responding to the European Union's CO2 emission reduction legislation and U.S. CAFE fuel economy targets, major automakers around the world are aggressively implementing "stop-start" idle elimination systems across their main product lines. Industry sources forecast that within five years stop-start will be standard on 20 million internal combustion engine cars per year.
|
|
|
Streetline Sensors Help Analyze Traffic, Parking Problems
|
|
Streetline, a 30-employee company based in San Francisco, has developed a system of sensors that helps municipalities monitor and evaluate parking patterns. Some experts believe 30% of urban traffic is cars looking for parking spaces.
|
|
|
 |
| Fleet Vehicle Remarketing Marketing Strategies, Channels,
& Sales Data |
Rising Gas Prices Flipping Sales Mix
|
|
Automakers hope that higher prices accelerate consumers' migration to more fuel-efficient new cars. The shift is already starting. Last month, sales of passenger cars were up 21%, compared with 13% for light trucks, a category that includes pickups, vans, SUVs and crossovers. But there are millions of potential buyers who will defer a purchase until their job situation improves or gas prices fall.
|
|
|
NHTSA Cracking Down on Odometer Fraud
|
|
The Office of Odometer Fraud Investigations unit at NHTSA recently worked with local and federal agents to bust a crime ring involving 75 vehicles in the Seattle, WA, area. Experts have advice for consumers to help warn them if tampering has occurred on a vehicle.
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
NVLA Conference
The Allerton Hotel on Magnificent Mile
Chicago, Ill.
May 11-13, 2011
|
|
|
Government Fleet Expo & Conference 2011
San Diego Convention Center, Hall C
San Diego, CA
June 6-8, 2011
|
|
|
11th Annual Telematics Detroit 2011
The Suburban Collection Showplace
Novi, MI
June 8-9, 2011
|
|
|
Plug-In 2011 Conference & Expo
Raleigh Convention Center
Raleigh, NC
July 18-21, 2011
|
|
|
2011 AFLA Conference
Paradise Point
San Diego, CA
September 14-16, 2011
|
|
Stats and Smart Charts
|
ADESA Wholesale Used Vehicle Price Trends – March 2011
[Click to enlarge graphic]
 - Wholesale used vehicle prices in March averaged $10,543 – up 5.1% from February and flat versus prior year
- Prices particularly strong for cars – up 8.1% month-over-month, compared to trucks going up 2.3%
- Fullsize pickups, fullsize cars, and fullsize SUVs had biggest value drops in past year
- 2 factors currently favoring prices for cars relative to trucks
- Higher gasoline prices and concerns about availability of small vehicles due to supply disruptions in aftermath of earthquake and tsunami in Japan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
