Automotive Fleet Magazine recently reported that overall fleet operating costs have increased over the last year.  Not surprisingly, unpredictable fuel prices are a major factor in the rising expenses.  During the first quarter of 2012, fleets saw an increase of 31 cents per gallon for regular gasoline and 35 cents for diesel.  Overall for the year, it appears fuel costs will average out at 11.5 cents per gallon over 2011 prices.  Therefore, managing fuel expenditure continues to be a major factor in saving on operational costs.  The following are 5 tips for reducing your fleet’s fuel...

While a vehicle fleet can be a company’s largest asset, it can also be its biggest expenditure.  When you consider that on average, annual maintenance and repairs run $1000 per vehicle, it makes sense why fleet managers are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs. Increasingly, fleet managers are turning to wireless vehicle management to help their companies save money.  These systems transmit data from a vehicle’s engine computer and a global positioning system (GPS) which can be used to remotely monitor their drivers.  They are able to track vehicle speed, mileage, stops, fuel consumption,...

For fleet managers, a relationship with a reliable roadside assistance program is crucial to your operation.  If a driver is having an issue with his or her vehicle, you need for the driver to be safe, the issue to be fixed, and your company’s vehicle back on the road as soon as possible, preferably all at a reasonable cost. When researching roadside assistance options, here are some things to consider: Do not be afraid to ask about the company’s response time, and see if online customer reviews back up the company’s statements.  This is a critical issue, because it is costing your company...

Fleet owners are increasingly seeing the value of adding truck driving simulators to the training regimen of their employees.  While one full motion simulation system can cost as much as $100,000, the cost is balanced by the many benefits. Truck driving simulators can help a company save money long term in several ways.  First, they assist in reaching training goals faster, and therefore, at a lower cost.  If a trainee is having an issue, they can practice it repeatedly in a simulator in much less time than they would be able to in an actual rig.  Second, one hour of training inside a truck...

Telematics has evolved far beyond basic GPS technology as product providers continue to advance product features for specific fleet needs. Learn more about some of the latest fleet management systems available. The amount of telematics products available today has grown considerably over the past few years.  Industry data shows mounting pressure on fleet companies to reduce their carbon footprint and develop a greener image has played a significant role in the growth of the market. Fleet solutions providers are ramping up features to target fleet-specific needs to cut costs and boost productivity,...