Author: Vitaliy Dadalyan

What’s Your Future Fleet Strategy?

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/articles/m-m-is-619506652-xl-arn-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="

iStockPhoto.com/Karneg

">

The noise surrounding the development of autonomous vehicles is getting louder. We're being told what the future looks like, but without the ability to harness the technology now, it's easier to just turn down the volume. iStockPhoto.com/Karneg

">

Yet it's clear that the future we envisioned five years ago is not the future we see today. In this context, Bobit Business Media has launched a new event, Fleet Forward Conference.

“As intelligent transportation systems, shared and connected vehicles, and changing public policies converge on the path to autonomous vehicles, Fleet Forward will be the nexus between traditional fleet stakeholders and the smart mobility revolution,” says Chris Brown, conference chair.

“Through curated networking and high-level education,” Brown continues, “Fleet Forward will connect new technology vendors with fleet services providers and end users with the end goal to create more efficient fleets — for the future and today.”

While autonomy is still largely a concept, fleets should be aware of emerging initiatives now — from new safety technologies and telematics platforms to the automotive Internet of Things and the federal mandate to connect all vehicles.

Automakers are now mobility service providers, and they're developing programs that are not only for consumers but also businesses. Dealer groups are rolling out subscription-based vehicle acquisitions plans. Corporate and government fleets are harnessing carsharing technology to reduce fleet size while increasing efficiencies.

Fleet Forward is designed to educate fleet operators on how and when they can take advantage.
For some fleets, the changes will come sooner, for others, much later. Nonetheless, no matter the fleet size or type, in the words of Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, “Companies should start thinking about their autonomous strategy now.”

The inaugural Fleet Forward Conference convenes Nov. 7-8 at Hilton Miami Downtown. For more information, visit www.fleetforwardconference.com.

Follow ...Read the rest of this story

Michelin Is Selling More TCi Locations

Three months after selling 27 Tire Centers stores to an independent tire dealer in the southeastern United States, Michelin North America is planning to sell more TCi locations.

The buyer is T&W Tire based in Oklahoma City. Michelin did not specify how many locations are included in the agreement. T&W Tire has 15 combination commercial-retail outlets and two retread plants in Oklahoma and Texas. The company is part of the Michelin Commercial Service Network and is a Michelin Retread Technologies franchisee.

In response to Modern Tire Dealer's questions, Michelin provided the following statement:

“Tire Centers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Michelin North America, has reached an agreement in principle to sell certain commercial locations in Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas to T&W Tire of Oklahoma City. As part of its normal operations, TCi is constantly evaluating and evolving its footprint to better serve its customers.”

Snider Tire purchase of 27 commercial locations, including four retread plants, from Michelin's TCi subsidiary, was finalized on June 30, 2017. Financial details were not disclosed. Snider Tire, which goes to market as Snider Fleet Solutions, has grown from a single tire store opened in 1976 to 81 commercial tire and mechanical services locations today. The company is based in Greensboro, N.C. The acquisition extends Snider Fleet Solution's coverage into Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, and Louisiana, while also adding additional locations in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.

This article originally appeared in HDT sister publication Modern Tire Dealer.

Related: Alignment and Balancing: Hassle, or Worth the Hustle?

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

...Read the rest of this story

Webinar Explores Ways to Keep Fuel Costs Under Control

Fuel is critical for operating a fleet, but it is not an expense that will disappear any time soon. Fleet managers are constantly looking for ways to better control their fuel costs. Thanks to advances in technology and strategic planning, there are now several ways to do so.

This free webinar, sponsored by U.S. Bank Voyager and moderated by Automotive Fleet editor and associate publisher Mike Antich, explores the many ways that fuel costs can get out of control and provides insights into how to stop it.

On Thursday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. West Coast/2 p.m. East Coast, we will look at costly mistakes fleets often make, discuss ways to fix them, and outline next steps to take in managing a fuel budget.

To register for the webinar now, click here.

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

...Read the rest of this story

Rodriguez Distribution Joins Power Heavy Duty

Aftermarket parts distributor Rodriguez Distribution has joined Power Heavy Duty as a member company.

Rodriguez Distribution was started in 2008 and is a heavy- and light-duty distributor of aftermarket parts and components that also distributes chemicals and shop supplies. Located in Newark, N.J., Rodriguez Distribution serves the metro Newark and central new Jersey market areas.

The company's customer base includes owner-operators and small to midsize fleets. It also has service contracts for quick lube and custom electrical hose assembly.

“Rodriguez Distribution serves a strategic customer base out of its Newark, New Jersey location,” said Mark Iasiello, general manager, Power Heavy Duty. “We look forward to helping grow their business with quality parts from industry leading manufacturers that are available through Power Heavy Duty.”

Related: Independent Aftermarket Getting Poised for the Future

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

...Read the rest of this story

Capitol Hill Dems Float Bill to Force Sleep-Apnea Rule

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-drowsydrivervolvogroup-1.jpg" border="0" alt="

Image: Volvo Group

">

Image: Volvo Group

">

Six weeks after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration pulled their advance notice of proposed rulemaking on obstructive sleep apnea, Democrats in both the House and Senate are pushing back.

The legislation they're sponsoring would force the Department of Transportation to mandate sleep-apnea testing and treatment for both truck drivers and railroad engineers.

The lawmakers' move also came just a week after the National Transportation Safety Board said that engineers involved in two deadly commuter-train crashes near New York City were diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the bill in the Senate, where it is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Albio Sires (D-NJ).

“Whether on the roads or the rails, the safety of the traveling public must be our highest transportation priority,” said Sen. Menendez, Ranking Member of the Senate's mass transit subcommittee. “I'm disappointed that the administration chose to put the traveling public at risk by ignoring the threat sleep apnea poses. This legislation would address that failure and implement this commonsense public safety policy to protect riders, save lives, and make our rails and roadways safer.”

Sen. Booker, Ranking Member of the Senate subcommittee on rail infrastructure called the administration's pulling of the sleep apnea pre-rule “shortsighted and reckless.”

According to Senate Minority Leader Schumer, a federal law “would force all rail lines— in New York, New Jersey and across the country— to conduct these [apnea] tests in perpetuity and with clear federal guidelines. Across-the-board sleep apnea testing must be law of the land for train operators and commercial drivers to help ensure us that the tragedies that happened in Brooklyn and in Hoboken will be prevented ...Read the rest of this story

Alignment and Balancing: Hassle, or Worth the Hustle?

<img width="150" src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/articles/m-alignment-story-lead-photo.jpg" border="0" alt="

Many fleets dread the downtime. But according to Rush Truck Centers, front-end alignments can be done in as little as 90 minutes. Photo:  Rush Truck Centers

">

Many fleets dread the downtime. But according to Rush Truck Centers, front-end alignments can be done in as little as 90 minutes. Photo:  Rush Truck Centers

">

There are always trade-offs when it comes to maintenance practices, and tires are no different. In a perfect world, every fleet would take the time and spend the money to make sure its trucks' tires were properly aligned and balanced. But trucks are heavy – and the kinetic forces that surge through a suspension after hitting one good pothole are many times stronger than anything a passenger car ever has to deal with. That one pothole can undo an alignment job in a split second. So why bother?

The same philosophy holds true for balancing tires: Every truck shakes and shimmies its way down the road to one degree or another. So unless that shimmy is really, really bad, why bother?

The counter-argument here is a pretty simple one: The biggest fleet expenses typically are drivers, tires, and fuel. If you're having issues getting one or more of those costs under control, an alignment and/or tire balancing program might yield dividends.

Your fleet may want to invest in alignment equipment from companies such as Hunter or Bee Line to do your own alignments.

Victor Cummings, vice president, service operations, for mega-dealer group Rush Enterprises, says that often fleets don't perform front-end alignments themselves. Instead, they take the truck to a service shop. This means it can be seen as an inconvenience to take the vehicle out of service. But, he says, fleets that do so enjoy some significant benefits.

“The biggest advantages to front-end alignments for heavy-duty vehicles include improved fuel economy and reduced tread wear, thus extending the life of your tires,” Cummings says. “Depending on the severity, a misalignment could also present a safety issue, so it is an ...Read the rest of this story