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For more information contact
Robyn Frankel, Frankel Public Relations
Toll free: 877-863-3373, rfrankel@frankelpr.com
OR Ned Maniscalco,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New
Added convenience for drivers and improved monitoring for management
April 3, 2013, St. Louis – The brand new Enterprise Fleet Management Mobile App, a customized mobile phone application for Android and iPhone users, is now available free of charge to all Enterprise Fleet Management customers. Its touch-screen features are designed to add convenience and efficiencies for any business with a fleet of vehicles.
“We are delighted to offer a mobile application to our customers and their drivers who increasingly rely on mobile phone technologies to improve productivity and efficiency,” said Thomas Chelew, senior vice president for Enterprise Fleet Management. “As a new value-added technology, the new app complements the full-service capabilities, products and services our customers depend on us to provide.”
One of the new app’s benefits, Chelew added, is that it lets business owners send messages to one or more of their drivers, as well as receive status updates on new vehicle orders. In addition, drivers making service calls or traveling to job sites can use the app to record mileage and make notes on a particular job or situation. Those drivers also can use the app to search for fueling locations based on cost, fuel type and distance from their location, as well as view a map and receive turn-by-turn directions.
Similarly, the new app can locate the closest maintenance facility and provide a map and directions from the driver’s location. The app also makes maintenance easier to manage by displaying current or past due oil change reminders and indicating when the work has been completed.
When accidents occur, the app allows drivers to report them in a timely manner and submit the information, including up to four photos of the damage/scene, directly to Enterprise with details about time, location, other parties, whether the vehicle was towed and to what body shop. The app’s click-to-call functionality, which includes a contact number and/or name, also makes it fast and easy to reach the right person at
To learn more about Enterprise Fleet Management’s Mobile Applications, call 877-23-FLEET or contact Mark Powell at 410-412-4620.
About
Enterprise Fleet Management supplies most makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks and service vehicles across
With 58 fully-staffed offices nationwide, Enterprise Fleet Management has been recognized with the Automotive Service Excellence (
For more information contact
Robyn Frankel, Frankel Public Relations
Toll free: 877-863-3373, rfrankel@frankelpr.com
OR Ned Maniscalco,
314-512-5523, ned.maniscalco@ehi.com
Editor’s Note: Chart available for cost per gallon predictions through 2016 (see paragraph 5)
Better Fuel Efficiency, Lower Interest Rates & Higher Resale Market
Drive Need for Long-Term Fleet Management Strategy
By Mark Powell,
Any business with a fleet of vehicles knows there are six major cost elements: depreciation, interest, fuel, maintenance, risk management and taxes. Not surprisingly, the ever-increasing cost of fuel is beginning to rival some of those cost elements, including depreciation, and less fuel-efficient older vehicles are the least cost-effective.
The good news is that there has never been a better time to begin to manage fuel expenses. Not only are 2013 model year vehicles designed for maximum fuel efficiency, but record low interest rates and an unusually high resale market for used vehicles present an exceptional opportunity for businesses with medium-size fleets to take advantage of the opportunity to lower expenses.
But, without a long-term fleet management strategy, getting the most value could still be a challenge. A long-term strategy can help project financial targets for three, four and five-years down the road on everything from acquiring and disposing of vehicles to managing maintenance, risk management, warranties, and mileage, as well as the potential wear and tear a business will inflict on each of its vehicles.
A good place to start is to work with a professional fleet management company that has access to a wide range of makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks and service vehicles and has the ability and experience to identify the right vehicles and available options to meet the individual needs of a particular business. In addition, they may have the ability to forecast and analyze long-term cost structures to help the business hit specific financial targets.
Because a fleet of vehicles can represent a major cost, requiring a considerable amount of money up front and demanding a continuing amount of money, time and resources to manage, businesses that have a long-term strategy will do well. Fuel is a good example. Combined with inflation, reduced fuel efficiency could lead to as much as a 50 percent increase in annual fuel costs within the next three to four years. This means that for a business just to maintain its current fuel budget it could ultimately be necessary to get the equivalent of 16 mpg from a vehicle that currently gets 13 mpg.
Today’s fuel reality is a growing concern for businesses that own and operate fleets of vehicles.
Not only can owning and operating a fleet of vehicles efficiently and cost-effectively translate to better customer service, it can lead to a more profitable bottom line and more satisfied employees. The combination of new increasing regulations on vehicle manufacturers to improve fuel economy and steadily escalating fuel prices makes it imperative for businesses to begin now to better manage fuel costs for their fleet of vehicles.
Mark Powell is a Director for Enterprise Fleet Management in
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Double Awards for Enterprise Fleet Management at
American Business Awards for Outstanding Product and Services
October 2, 2012, St. Louis – Enterprise Fleet Management, a full service fleet management company for businesses with medium size fleets, received dual recognition at the 10th Annual American Business Awards on September 17 in San Francisco. Enterprise won a first-place Gold Stevie Award for Best New Product or Service of the Year in Transportation and a Crystal People’s Choice Award for Favorite Product or Service. Both awards recognize its commitment to managing the entire life-cycle expense of a fleet of vehicles to improve a company’s cash flow.
Innovative programs and solutions from Enterprise Fleet Management that drive value for every customer include best possible prices on vehicle acquisition; providing a separate line of credit; creating a cycling strategy to achieve optimum performance and best resale value; and annual client review that includes a year-over-year statistical comparison for performance and cost for a customer’s business.
“Enterprise Fleet Management’s solutions are innovative, strategic and customized to be effective for every customer,” said Steve Bloom, President of Enterprise Fleet Management. “Our success is based on more than 55 years experience in managing company vehicles.”
As an example, Bloom explained that during its most recent fiscal year (July 1010-July 2011), Enterprise Fleet Management’s National Service Department saved customers more than $13 million in maintenance and repair costs by negotiating the best prices on maintenance and repairs, as well as ensuring customers received maximum warranty benefits, rebates, price breaks and other opportunities to reduce expenses.
The Stevie Awards comprise several of the business world’s leading awards programs, including the prestigious American Business Awards(SM) and International Business Awards(SM). More than 3,000 nominations from various industries were submitted for the American Business Awards’ Tech and New Product Awards program. For the People’s Choice Award, more than 98,000 votes were cast in nationwide ballots in 30 award categories for this year’s winners.
Earlier this year, Enterprise Fleet Management was recognized with a Stevie Award for Innovation in Customer Service. Previous Stevie Awards include Environmental Responsibility Program of the Year 2009, which recognized the company for implementing an aggressive set of programs and initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of customers’ vehicles, and Best Support Organization 2006 for exceptional teamwork serving customers and employees in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
About Enterprise Fleet Management
A full-service fleet management business for companies with medium-size fleets, Enterprise Fleet Management supplies most makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks and service vehicles across North America. Enterprise Fleet Management is owned by the Taylor Family of St. Louis, who, through regional subsidiaries, also own and operate the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.
With 58 fully-staffed offices nationwide, Enterprise Fleet Management has been recognized with the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) “Blue Seal of Excellence” award for 14 consecutive years, an industry record. In addition to winning a 2012 Stevie Award for Innovation in Customer Service, Enterprise Fleet Management supports a comprehensive set of environmental initiatives that includes helping customers purchase verifiable greenhouse gas emission offsets by pledging to match a portion of each customer’s greenhouse gas offset purchases up to a total match of $1 million. For more information about Enterprise Fleet Management’s environmental stewardship and long-term commitment to the sustainability of the fleet management business, visit http://drivingfutures.com/fleetmanagement/. For more information about Enterprise Fleet Management, visit www.efleets.com or call toll free 1-877-23-FLEET.
Safety: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
By Mark Powell,
Rock performer Meat Loaf sings about it and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies it. Although, over the years the idiom “where the rubber meets the road” has been used to describe the “moment of truth,” it actually refers to the tires on the surface of the road. And, when it comes to driver safety – both meanings are appropriate.
“Studies of tire safety show that maintaining proper tire pressure, observing tire and vehicle load limits (not carrying more weight in your vehicle than your tires or vehicle can safely handle), avoiding road hazards, and inspecting tires for cuts, slashes, and other irregularities are the most important things you can do to avoid tire failure, such as tread separation or blowout and flat tires,” states an NHTSA booklet.
In addition, over-inflation can make tires more susceptible to road hazard damage that can also impact vehicle handling, and overloading a vehicle can create excessive stress and heat, leading to tire failure. It’s important to note that tire inflation pressure increases in warm weather and decreases in cold weather as much as one to two pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.
There is no substitute for good maintenance measures:
- Observe guidelines for inflation pressure. Using a quality tire gauge, check tire pressure at least once a month and before any long road trips. The best time to check pressure is when tires are cold. For the proper cold-tire inflation pressure for individual vehicles, check the Owner’s Manual and/or the tire placard located inside the front driver side door.
- Rotate tires regularly. Just rotating tires regularly can extend tire life by as much as 20 percent. A good rule of thumb is to rotate tires during every other oil change, or more frequently depending on driving habits and road conditions. A rotation schedule may be suggested in the Owner’s Manual.
- Inspect tires monthly. Check tires on all vehicles monthly, paying particular attention to signs of wear or visible damage, as well as ensuring all valve caps are in place to help keep out dirt and moisture.
- Maintain vehicles “by the book.” Many vehicle components, including shocks, struts and brakes, can affect the tire’s performance. Ensure company vehicles are inspected regularly and follow the recommended maintenance schedule listed in the Owner’s Manual or provided by your fleet maintenance management provider.
Because tires are the only thing separating vehicles from the road, it’s extremely important to make sure they are in the best possible condition at all times. Manufacturers emphasize the need to select tires of the same brand, line, size, speed rating, load index and load range when replacement is needed. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, handing and vehicle performance.
When it comes to tire safety and maintenance, NHTSA sums up the benefits: “Proper tire care and maintenance can improve vehicle handling, help protect you and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents, improve fuel economy and increase the life of your tires.”
Mark Powell is a Director for Enterprise Fleet Management in
Steering Around Stumbling Blocks for Ordering New Vehicles
By Mark Powell,
When it comes to ordering new vehicles, business owners want to make sure they obtain the most competitive prices with the maximum available discounts, rebates and incentives. For businesses with mid-size fleets, this can be especially challenging due to the many stumbling blocks they can encounter on everything from ordering the right model with the right specifications, to receiving the most incentives, to selecting a fleet-minded dealership where vehicles can be drop-shipped.
That’s why using a fleet management company for acquiring vehicles is a best practice that can save a business both time and money. In addition to planning ahead to take advantage of various price protection guarantees on all models, a fleet management company may be able to help anticipate and manage supplier shortages or logistic delays that could affect a timely delivery.
Using a fleet management company to order vehicles from the factory can have many additional benefits. Based on our own clients’ experiences, businesses that order vehicles, rather than purchase from available dealer stock, save an average of 6.3 percent per vehicle. Other benefits include the following:
· Prices sometimes increase throughout the model year. Orders placed early will receive initial model year pricing and may include early order incentives if offered by the manufacturer.
· Ordering early, it is easier to obtain preferred vehicles, even if demand for those vehicles is high.
· You can work with the fleet management company to customize vehicles, ensuring that they meet the specific needs of your business, rather than purchasing a vehicle that has been built using more standard retail specifications. This also saves cost on the back end by cutting down on the purchase of after-market equipment.
· Aftermarket equipment can be installed prior to delivery of the vehicle, ensuring a complete work-ready vehicle at pickup time.
- You will generally also get a reduced price because you have ordered the proper vehicle specifications and colors upfront, rather than having to add options once vehicles are received.
- You typically are able to designate shipment date windows, based on your needs.
Ordering vehicles directly from the manufacturer requires six weeks to three months lead time for delivery. Increased lead time may apply to limited production models. Factors that can make a big difference in ensuring a timely delivery include having a strong relationship with the manufacturer and submitting orders that are complete and accurate. Changing specifications or a drop-shiplocation after an order has already been submitted can impact the production and delivery time of the vehicle.
Vehicles usually can be drop-shipped to any location in the country, and working with a fleet management company to select a fleet-minded dealership can make a difference in controlling expenses and creating a positive delivery experience.
Cycling Program Manages Acquisition and Disposal
Just as important as knowing when to order new vehicles is knowing when to dispose of older vehicles, a process known in the industry as “cycling.” Companies with commercial fleets know that negotiating the best buy on the front end is one way to manage costs, but money saved on the back end can also have an effect on your bottom line. Other factors can also influence when to cycle a vehicle out of a fleet, including the appearance of the vehicle, mileage, wear and tear, resale value and current market conditions.
A cycling plan saves money because of factors like future maintenance, and can also improve a fleet’s fuel economy because newer vehicles generally get better gas mileage. It can also help maintain the business’ professional image, as well as improve driver satisfaction and safety. The automotive manufacturers continue to make improvements to vehicle safety and fuel efficiency.
The bottom line is that planning ahead when it comes to both the makeup of a company’s fleet and knowing when to acquire and dispose of vehicles can not only save time, but can really make a difference to the business’ overall financial well being.
Mark Powell is a Director for Enterprise Fleet Management in
For more information contact
Robyn Frankel, Frankel Public Relations
Toll free: 877-863-3373, rfrankel@frankelpr.com
Ned Maniscalco, Enterprise Fleet Management
314-512-5523, ned.maniscalco@ehi.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Enterprise Fleet Management Awarded
For Innovation in Customer Service
February 29, 2012, St. Louis – Enterprise Fleet Management, a full service fleet management company for businesses with medium size fleets, was recognized for Innovation in Customer Service in the 2012 Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service, which was held Monday, February 27, 2012 in Las Vegas.
Enterprise Fleet Management received the national award for driving customer satisfaction to record highs by implementing a number of innovative programs and solutions during 2011 including a Client Advisory Board, Annual Client Review Tool, Fleet Replacement Schedule, Mobile Resource Manager, Online Reporting, and Online Driver Safety Training. In addition to achieving record-setting customer satisfaction scores for the company, Enterprise Fleet Management increased the size of its customer fleet by more than 30 percent.
The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world’s top sales awards, contact center awards, and customer service awards. The Stevie Awards organizes several of the world’s leading business awards shows including the prestigious American Business AwardsSM and International Business AwardsSM.
More than 1,000 entries from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted to this year’s competition, an increase of almost 30 percent over 2011. Finalists were determined by the average scores of 93 professionals representing a cross section of customer service, sales and communications experts from industry and higher education institutions worldwide, acting as preliminary judges.
Enterprise Fleet Management previously won Stevie Awards in 2009 and 2006. These included an award for Environmental Responsibility Program of the Year, which recognized the company for implementing an aggressive set of programs and initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of customers’ vehicles, and Best Support Organization for exceptional teamwork serving customers and employees in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
About Enterprise Fleet Management
A full-service fleet management business for companies with medium-size fleets, Enterprise Fleet Management supplies most makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks and service vehicles across North America. Enterprise Fleet Management is owned by the Taylor Family of St. Louis, who, through regional subsidiaries, also own and operate the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand.
With 58 fully-staffed offices nationwide, Enterprise Fleet Management has been recognized with the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) “Blue Seal of Excellence” award for 14 consecutive years, an industry record. In addition to winning a 2012 Stevie Award for Innovation in Customer Service, Enterprise Fleet Management supports a comprehensive set of environmental initiatives that includes helping customers purchase verifiable greenhouse gas emission offsets by pledging to match a portion of each customer’s greenhouse gas offset purchases up to a total match of $1 million. For more information about Enterprise Fleet Management’s environmental stewardship and long-term commitment to the sustainability of the fleet management business, visit http://drivingfutures.com/fleetmanagement/. For more information about Enterprise Fleet Management, visit www.efleets.com or call toll free 1-877-23-FLEET.