According to a First Fleet survey of private fleet executives, technology is gaining credibility in private fleets and is often used more to control fuel costs than to monitor truck location.

First Fleet said 50% of poll respondents reported using some kind of onboard logistics or wireless device to increase productivity; 37% plan to install these boxes within a year. And while most technologies were originally intended for truck location and/or recovery of stolen property, only 13% reported using telematics for this purpose.
However, 81% use the systems to monitor driving patterns and equipment specifications in order to develop fuel-saving, equipment maintenance and specification strategies.
First Fleet Corp. released the results of the survey this week. The company provides asset management, financial and operational support to Fortune-500 level private fleets.
Less surprising results included serious concern with the driver shortage.
According to the First Fleet press release, 77% of the industry leaders polled by e-mail and at the recent Bi-Annual Fleet Managers' Conference said the driver shortage was critical.
Not far behind driver concerns were skyrocketing fuel prices and the cost of maintenance, coupled with the struggle to find ways to reduce diesel consumption. Some 61% of those surveyed stated that they were adjusting vehicle specifications to address and lower fuel consumption, while 59% said they had adjusted for fuel efficiency by increasing the load on each truck.
Some respondents mentioned the use of onboard telematic tracking/monitoring devices to help develop specific driving pattern improvements to decrease fuel consumption.
"These results mirror the concerns we've been hearing directly from our customers and at recent industry forums. Many of them are making scheduling adjustments based on having fewer drivers to operate their vehicles and are seriously alarmed by rising fuel costs. First Fleet's private fleet customers are trying to combat this by making more informed and fuel-efficient choices when inquiring about their new leased truck specifications, a service we provide based on our extensive research database and comprehensive analysis of specific vehicle usage, maintenance and efficiency," said John Flynn, CEO, First Fleet Corp.
Ninety-three percent of executives surveyed said they would replace nearly 25% of their fleet within the next year, while 72% plan to replace half of their fleet in two or more years. Emission standards taking effect in 2007 appear to play a role in the decision-making cycle, with most respondents saying they plan to replace an average of 38% of their fleet before the tougher regulations kick in.
The survey was commissioned by First Fleet Corporation and conducted by Dr. Luiz Duarte, Vice President, Starmark Market Intelligence.
For more information, visit www.firstfleet.com.