September 2, 2008
PHOENIX – With a plethora of commercial fleet managers attending the 2008 AFLA Conference next week, the conference provides a networking paradise.
WAYNE, MI – Ford Motor Company will invest $75 million in Michigan Truck Plant's body shop to prepare for small-vehicle production.
Tags: Ford Motor Company, Michigan Truck Plant's body shop
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA – Hyundai's promised to put a hybrid subcompact, a hybrid mid-size, and a plug-in competitor to the Chevrolet Volt on the road within five years.
Tags: hybrid subcompact, Hyundai
TORRANCE, CA – US Hybrid has announced several structural changes designed to serve the expanding market segments.
Tags: executive vice president, US Hybrid, vice president of operations
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – Wright Express Corporation has completed the previously announced acquisition of Financial Automation Limited, a New Zealand-based international provider of fuel card processing software solutions.
Tags: acquisition, Financial Automation Limited, Wright Express Corporation
AUBURN HILLS, MI – Chrysler LLC has completed its program to eliminate the use of lead wheel weights from its vehicles, switching to more eco-friendly substitutes in its products sold worldwide.
Tags: Chrysler LLC , EPA, lead wheel weights
CARROLLTON, TX – Drive America Holdings, Inc. has appointed Michael Barton as its chief financial officer.
Tags: chief financial officer, Drive America Holdings, Inc.
TREVOSE, PA – The CEI Group, Inc. has added "Mini Lessons" to DriverCare Risk Manager as a new category of quick safety training for drivers on the go.
Tags: DriverCare Risk Manager, Mini Lessons, The CEI Group, Inc.
MALVERN, PA – The cost of auto injury claims involving lighter-weight vehicles tends to be higher than the cost of claims involving heavy vehicles, according to new research from the Insurance Research Council.
Tags: auto injury claims, Auto Insurance, Insurance Research Council, lighter-weight vehicles
TORRANCE, CA - The first-ever Green Fleet Conference in Chicago Sept.15-16 will open with a keynote speech on fuel-efficient and emissions-reducing models to come in 2009-2011.
Tags: Green Fleet Conference, Hyatt Regency Chicago
PHOENIX – The Fleet Hall of Fame award will be presented Sept. 11 at the 2008 annual AFLA Conference in Phoenix.
Tags: AFLA conference, Automotive Fleet, Fleet Hall of Fame
August 29, 2008
MT. LAUREL, NJ – ARI has appointed Robert Hoysgaard as utility business development manager and Phil Fitzgerald as government business development manager.
Tags: Automotive Resources International , Phil Fitzgerald , Robert Hoysgaard
ALPHARETTA, GA – LeasePlan USA has announced the promotion and appointment of Jon Toups to the position of senior VP, sales, marketing, and client services, as well as a member of its executive management team.
Tags: LeasePlan USA, promotion and appointment
ST. PAUL, MN – Registration for the 2008 AFLA Conference in Phoenix has set a record-high since going from a semi-annual to annual conference format.
Tags: 2008 AFLA Conference, attendance
DETROIT – The award-winning 2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is scheduled to be on display at the Washington Times Car Show Aug. 31 in McLean, Va.
Tags: 2008 Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept, U.S. tour
PHOENIX – Tests performed by Ford Motor Company show drivers coached by eco-driving experts can significantly improve the fuel economy performance of their vehicles.
Tags: eco-driving, Ford Motor Company
August 26, 2008
DETROIT – A glimpse of Buick's upcoming 2010 LaCrosse reveals an exterior design strongly influenced by the Buick Invicta.
Tags: Buick LaCrosse, General Motors, Los Angeles Auto Show
LORDSTOWN, OH – GM announced it will invest more than $500 million in the U.S. to build the Chevrolet Cruze, an all-new global compact car.
Tags: Chevrolet Cruze, General Motors, global compact car
PHOENIX – Set for September 10-12 in Phoenix, the 2008 AFLA Conference will offer ideas for strategic fleet management, including discusssions on fuel prices and resale.
Tags: 2008 AFLA Conference, Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association, fuel prices, resale, strategic fleet management
MT. LAUREL, NJ – Mack brings 26 years of experience in the automotive industry, including management roles in finance, operations, and sales.
Tags: ARI, Automotive Resources International , Environment and Fuel Strategies
August 22, 2008
DETROIT – The Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent meet or exceed all federal safety standards, according to GM.
Tags: Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent
PHOENIX - Registration for total commercial fleet manager attendees at this year's AFLA Conference has reached a record-high. Visit www.aflaonline.com to register for the Sept.10-12 event.
Tags: AFLA conference, commercial fleet manager
CLEVELAND – Fleet Response hosted an inaugural Safety Summit for fleet risk and safety professionals last week in Cleveland.
Tags: Fleet Response, Safety Summit
DETROIT – GM will provide a 12-month/12,000-mile "bumper-to-bumper" warranty on all GM Certified Used Vehicles and Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles in the U.S.
Tags: bumper to bumper warranty, certified used vehicles, General Motors
Ask our experts about your questions to receive advice on your most perplexing Leasing issues.
Robert Singer Principal and a Senior Vice President Merchants Automotive Group
Q: We own 100% of our vehicles. Our drivers put about 150K miles on every 36 months. Are there even leases out there that would make sense for us with our high mileage?
Q: It seems that an open-end lease benefits only the Lessor and not the Lessee, especially for government run fleets. So, is there any point where a government entity would select an open-end lease?
Q: What has more flexibility, open-end or closed-end leases?
Q: What is your assessment of the automotive market and industry right now?
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