NAFA Offers Valuable Municipal Fleet Benchmarking Study To Members

(JULY 31, 2012 – PRINCETON, NJ) – NAFA Fleet Management Association has long provided valuable benchmarking data for its Members, but the Association is now able to offer more comprehensive data for fleet managers than ever before.  The first offering is Municipal Benchmark Study: PPV Marked Squad Sedan, a data analysis report from Utilimarc® consulting group provided at no cost to NAFA Members as a benefit of NAFA membership.

Benchmarking data, especially that which is often complex in its very nature, is extremely important for fleet managers. Earlier this year, NAFA announced its endorsement of Utilimarc®, a national consulting group that offers internal and external fleet benchmarking, electronic reporting, and electronic analytical tools for large diverse fleets nationwide. Utilimarc’s® data analysis helps fleet managers develop fleet performance awareness and validate fleet effectiveness.  In essence, their benchmarking data is a key to maximizing revenues while reducing costs.

"NAFA has a need to provide access to benchmarking data for its members," said NAFA’s Executive Director Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "As fleet managers began requesting more specific and complex data, we began to seek out sources for such data.  After a comprehensive review process, we came to the conclusion that Utilimarc’s® in-depth benchmarking databases and services met all of the criteria and guidelines set by NAFA.  Their products are outstanding and truly one-of-a-kind.”

 

The Utilimarc® methodology helps to enhance fleet operations by allowing the user to compare fleet performance internally between departments or agencies or externally to their peers by measuring important fleet data such as equipment age, mechanic wages, vehicle utilization, and more.  The data helps the user develop electronic reports such as cost per mile, underutilized equipment, and operating costs, while formulating the ideal lifecycle modeling using the Utilimarc® lifecycle model and electronic analysis.

To view the report, NAFA Members should log into their NAFA membership account and then choose “Benchmarking Data” from the RESOURCES pull down.  The direct link is: http://www.nafa.org/utilimarc

In upcoming months, NAFA looks forward to making additional Utilimarc® reports available to NAFA Members.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org

30-year Veteran Announces Retirement from PHH Arval

Sparks, MD (July 24, 2012) – Jeff Smith, Senior Vice President of Sales and International Development, PHH Arval, has announced his retirement, after 30 years with the Company. He will continue to serve as a senior consultant supporting the PHH Arval Global Alliance.

Smith began his career with PHH in 1982 as Regional Sales Manager in the truck and equipment division. He was promoted to Vice President of Sales in 1990. In 2000, he was named Senior Vice President of Sales and a member of PHH Arval’s Senior Leadership Team. Following the Company’s 2004 acquisition of FirstFleet Corporation, a leading truck asset management company, Smith assumed the role of Senior Vice President, North American Truck Sales. Most recently, he was responsible for large fleet sales and for leading PHH Arval’s international business through the PHH Arval Global Alliance. 

“Jeff’s dedication, commitment and relationship management skills have helped us build the client portfolio we have today. We are lucky to have been the beneficiary of Jeff’s talents for so many years, and I thank him for his leadership and innumerable contributions,” said George Kilroy, President and CEO, PHH Arval.

In announcing his retirement, Smith said, “PHH has been and continues to be an exciting place to work. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to represent the best capabilities in the industry to some of the best clients any company could ever have. The entire workforce at PHH has been a team with whom any sales leader would be lucky to have worked.”

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About PHH Arval

PHH Arval, a subsidiary of PHH Corporation (NYSE: PHH), is a leading fleet management services provider in the United States and Canada. PHH Arval provides fleet management solutions to a broad range of industries and has a client base that includes nearly one-third of Fortune 500 companies. Through consultative expertise, flexible customer service, and innovative technology, PHH Arval helps clients reduce costs and increase productivity. For more information, visit www.phharval.com or call (800) ONLY-PHH.

Fleet Response Announces Executive Promotions

Cleveland, Ohio, July 18, 2012 — Fleet Response, a leader in custom fleet management services, announces promotions to key individuals.

Jeffrey Fender has been promoted to Vice President, Sales & Marketing. Jeffrey will maintain responsibility for sales team management, executive communications, prospect development, training and marketing strategy. He will continue to promote Fleet Response’s core products of accident management, preventative maintenance/mechanical repair and comprehensive safety solutions.

“Jeff is a proven leader both at Fleet Response and within the fleet industry .His experience and continued success has been instrumental in advancing our products and services.” said Scott Mawaka, Chairman  & CEO, Fleet Response.

Jeffrey is a member of National Association of Fleet Administrators and Risk Insurance Management Society and has earned his Property & Casualty Insurance license. Jeffrey joined Fleet Response as the Midwest Regional Sales Manager. He was promoted in 2005 to National Sales Manager and in 2009 to Director of Sales & Marketing. 

Fleet Response has also promoted Jeffrey Bonchek to Vice President, Sales- Western Region. Jeffrey has been with Fleet Response for 13 years, joining the company in 1999 as the Western Regional Sales Manager.  During this time, Jeffrey has been responsible for the acquisition of some of Fleet Response’s most significant clients.  With a sales territory that stretches across 14 states, his clients include Fortune 500 as well as mid-sized companies that encompass a wide range of industries.

“Jeffrey possesses a keen ability to identify specific needs and provide customized solutions within organizations and with his new role will use this knowledge to meet both corporate and industry objectives,” said Jeffrey Fender, Vice President, Sales & Marketing.

ARI Introduces New Telematics Solution Designed to Maximize Fleet Value

Mount Laurel, NJ (July 19, 2012) – ARI^®, a leading global fleet services provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, today announced the implementation of its enhanced telematics solution, which now offers three levels of support designed to increase the knowledge and insight fleet managers can gain from their telematics solutions.  ARI’s unique approach provides a consolidated view of all fleet-related data; helps identify the best telematics solutions regardless of vendor; and provides a long-awaited fully managed telematics solution. This program demonstrates ARI’s continued commitment to creating efficiencies for its clients through the use of new technologies. 

“Telematics technology has the power to capture thousands of data points from a single vehicle, on any given day,” said Tony Candeloro, Director, Client Information Systems at ARI.  “But without a means to aggregate or interpret the data, it becomes siloed and can fall inactive.  Our approach provides fleet managers with a one-stop solution for any telematics need.  From integrating data to managing and running reports, we provide our clients with the solutions that fit their needs, to help them realize the true benefit of these powerful tools.  Ultimately, with ARI’s telematics solution, fleet managers have optics into managing the vehicle, the driver, and the trip”            

ARI’s unique telematics approach offers three levels of service:

• Telematics Data Capture – The web-based ARI insights® system can integrate data from all of the various telematics devices clients employ across their fleet,  combine it with vehicle and driver data already in the system, and provide clients with specialized alerts and reporting tailored to their specific needs.
• Telematics Consulting Services – ARI’s Technology Advisory Team continually monitors trends in the telematics industry, investigates potential vendors and recommends solutions based on a client’s specific business needs.
• Telematics Managed Solution – This all-in-one package includes the benefits of telematics data capture above, data integration into the ARI insights system for specialized alerts and reporting, consolidated contracts and billing, the expertise of the Technology Advisory Team, and first-level support and installation of telematics devices.

ARI has been integrating telematics data for clients for several years, and these enhancements will help managers further identify cost-reduction opportunities, mitigate risk factors, optimize vehicle usage, reduce vehicle downtime and automate existing manual fleet programs, helping to reduce both cost and review time. 

About ARI^® (http://www.arifleet.com/)

ARI, a part of the Holman Automotive Group, is the largest privately held vehicle fleet management company in North America with a workforce numbering more than 2,200 and offices throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.K. and Europe. As a single-source fleet management leader, ARI customizes innovative solutions that streamline fleet operations, help lower the cost of fleet ownership and create long-term value for customers. ARI manages over 875,000 cars, trucks and equipment in North America and, combined with its strategic partners, more than 1.8 million fleet vehicles globally. ARI is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

GM Fleet & Commercial Lets Customers Tell Their Stories

DETROIT – General Motors is using the voice of its fleet and commercial customers to tout product benefits in its newly launched advertising campaign. These customers bring to life how GM vehicles impact their businesses and their bottom lines.

Businesses and organizations worldwide rely on vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac for everything from feeding the elderly to helping to meet sustainability goals.  

“Our mission is to provide great products, innovative business solutions and an exceptional customer experience,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, Fleet and Commercial Sales.  “What better way to convey the benefits of our vehicles and the services we provide than having our customers tell their own stories?” 

“Stories from the Road” Customer Stories

Meals on Wheels Ministry – The reliability of its fleet vehicles is critical to Meals on Wheels Ministry and to those who depend on the program in Tyler, Texas.  The organization’s GMC Savana cargo van has proven a reliable workhorse for their fleet, which travels an estimated 624,000 miles a year and feeds 3,100 seniors and disabled citizens across six counties each day.  

City of Rock Hill, S.C. – A leader in cultivating a fuel-efficient fleet, the municipality relies on several Chevrolet vehicles, including Volt, Silverado, Equinox, Caprice and Tahoe, to meet its sustainability goals. The city was given the “Greenest Fleet” award in South Carolina in 2010. The fleet’s use of alternative fuels – including E85, CNG and electricity – has helped to avoid the use of more than 47,000 gallons of gasoline and saved the city $670,000 in 2011 alone.

Pacific Gas & Electric – The utility company has the largest fleet in California, covering an expansive and rugged territory from just north of Los Angeles to Oregon and the Pacific Ocean to Nevada. As part of that fleet, PG&E counts on GMC Sierra Hybrid pick-ups to provide the versatility and capability to get the work done. Cost savings are also key with each truck traveling an average of more than 15,000 miles a year and saving an average of more than $700 each on fuel costs. 

Gateway Services – The Oklahoma-based pipeline company surveys and builds long-gas pipelines, using Chevrolet Silverados in its daily operations. The dependability of the trucks has been proven as each travels between 2,500 and 7,000 miles a month. 

To watch the customer video testimonials, visit the GM Fleet and Commercial YouTube page; and, to find more information about the full vehicle portfolio, visit gmfleet.com. For timely responses to fleet-related questions, join the GM Fleet and Commercial LinkedIn group.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.  GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.