Fleets feeling the brunt of the trend

Automotive technology is a two-edged sword. While it’s making vehicles safer and more fuel -efficient, it’s also driving up the cost of accident repairs at a rate faster than the general rate of inflation, a trend that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. That makes it more important than ever for fleet managers to make every effort to manage the collision repairs closely for cost control and to uncover opportunities for savings.

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“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today” – Abraham Lincoln

As we begin a new year, we often resolve to do things differently. It may be to eat healthier, exercise more, stay in touch with friends, or increase our efforts to help others. My hope for the fleet industry is that we can resolve to look at our responsibility to The Modern Mobile Worker in a slightly different way in 2015.

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Fleet executives are turning to GPS tracking technology to help solve some of their biggest business challenges in 2015. If you are currently researching GPS tracking solutions to help take full control of your fleet, it is recommended to follow these steps for purchasing and implementing a solution to see the best results.

Read the “2015 GPS Tracking Purchasing & Implementation Guide” blog to learn more about choosing the best GPS tracking solution for your business or contact GPS Insight!

A majority of U.S. drivers are willing to pay as much as $1,499 to have high-tech entertainment and safety devices in their vehicles as consumers demand more connectivity, according to a Harris Poll.

Back-up cameras, USB ports and smartphone charging are among the top desires, according to the online survey of 1,033 vehicle owners done for researcher AutoTrader.com. About 55 percent said music streaming services such as those of Pandora Media and Spotify make driving more enjoyable.

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Fleetmatics was named the Gold winner for “Product Line of the Year” in the Best in Biz Awards 2014. Best in Biz is an annual awards program honoring public and private companies of all sizes from virtually every major industry and region in the U.S. and Canada for their business successes in the current and previous year. More than 550 award nominations were received this year. Gold is the top award given in each category.

READ MORE and see which products won Fleetmatics the Gold.

In 2007, Bill Gates stepped onstage at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to help introduce Sync, a combination GPS navigator, digital music player, and speakerphone being introduced into Fords. Mark Fields, then the head of Ford Motor’s Americas operations, joined Gates for the sales pitch. He now recalls being met with incredulity. At a show traditionally dedicated to next-generation gadgets, Fields says, the most common questions for the automaker’s delegation were, “Why are you here? Oh, and by the way, why aren’t your knuckles dragging across the floor?”

At this year’s CES, which began its four-day run on Jan. 6, 10 major automakers showed off their latest in-car electronics and self-driving prototypes in sprawling exhibitions that together took up the space of about three football fields. Consulting firm Accenture reports that technology is the top selling point for 39 percent of U.S. car buyers, almost triple the 14 percent who care most about horsepower and handling.

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FLD, Inc. announced the launch of OnceOVR Pro™, an extension of OnceOVR™, which was released earlier this year on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon for free download.

Also an electronic condition reporting smartphone app, OnceOVR Pro™ includes multiple inspection templates for Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks which give users the ability to select critical data points from an index containing more than 3,000 configurations of engines, transmissions and gear reductions.

READ MORE about the new features.

Ford’s big move to aluminum for the body of its flagship F-150 truck has helped it garner some additional material: The hardware that comes with the North American Truck of the Year Award.

“Clearly the materials have a lot to do with the story of the truck,” Ford President of the Americas Joe Hinrichs said, though he added he’s “most proud” of what the material does for the vehicle’s capabilities.

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With shoppers flocking to new-car dealers’ at rates not seen since the onset of the Great Recession, and at the most bone-chilling and snow-ridden time of the year, many new-car buyers are taking a closer look at cars and trucks that fare best under extreme climactic conditions. But what kind of vehicle should a weather-besieged car buyer choose?

Aside from the front-drive setup typically found in most mainstream cars and the rear-drive layout many sports and luxury cars employ, nearly a third of all vehicles sold in the U.S. now offer either all-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) as traction-enhancing alternatives.

READ MORE for the details.

Driving in the wintertime can be a dangerous prospect. Roads become difficult to navigate due to ice and snow, daylight is shorter, visibility is decreased, and sub-freezing temperatures are hard on your car.

The chances of getting into an accident or breaking down are increased, and the consequences of being stranded by the roadside are much harsher. Be sure your car is well stocked for an emergency.

READ MORE for list of must-have items