Automotive Fleet

Managing fleet operations in the oilfield industry comes with unique challenges — from vehicle maintenance and compliance to driver safety in remote locations and across multiple jurisdictions.In this edition of the State of the Fleet Industry video series, Chris Brown speaks with James Victory of NOV (National Oilwell Varco) about managing a fleet of more than 3,000 power units and trailers supporting oilfield service operations a...

Fleet operators today face a new reality regarding growing legal exposure. In this episode of Automotive Fleet On the Move, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United discusses its approach to risk in an environment where accidents can quickly turn into costly claims. The conversation explores how the company is strengthening driver behavior, leveraging technology, and building processes designed to reduce both incidents and liability.Rathe...

In this segment of AF on the Move, Chris Brown talks fleet upfitting and delivery solutions with Anew Solutions CEO and founder Austin Schutte, who has led the business for nearly a decade. In this video:

• Schutte's history and the origin of his introduction to the fleet world
• The launch of his upfit facility and OEM dropshipping
• Speed to completion and its process, why it matters, and title/delivery logistics
• The company's role in...

In this Automotive Fleet on the Move interview, John Poindexter, founder and CEO of JB Poindexter & Co., shared how his company is approaching growth across its multiple divisions, with each introducing new products or concepts as part of its ongoing expansion. A major development has been the acquisition and integration of its ambulance division, Demers Braun Crestline Medix (DBCM). While consolidation has been a key part of J...

In this Automotive Fleet on the Move video, the conversation centers on one of the most consistent contributors to fleet incidents: mobile device distraction. Rather than relying solely on policies or post-incident coaching, fleets are exploring ways to remove the distraction altogether by limiting phone use while the vehicle is in motion.Lifesaver Mobile is one example of this approach, designed to control mobile device use while ...

Following several years of pent-up demand driven by supply chain disruptions, the commercial truck market is entering a new phase that is defined less by shortages and more by uncertainty. We caught up with Charles Bowles of Commercial Truck Trader, who described how recent demand for replacements has largely been met. At the same time, external factors such as tariffs (yes, still tariffs!) and geopolitical disruptions are making i...

As costs and complexity escalate, Merchants Fleet’s CEO outlines how fleets must rethink uptime and TCO to drive business performance.In this edition of the State of the Fleet Industry video series, Chris Brown speaks with  @merchantsfleet  CEO Matt Dyer about what it really means for fleet to operate beyond a cost center and as a revenue driver in 2026. With higher costs, longer repair cycles, and more variables to manage, fleets ...

In this Automotive Fleet on the Move interview, Charles Matthew, director of acquisitions at  @merchantsfleet  , outlines the current state of fleet supply and why now is a critical moment for planning.While conditions have stabilized in some areas, pressure points remain. Hybrid vehicles are still constrained, cargo van demand is rising quickly, and upcoming EPA regulations could significantly impact costs. Add in geopolitical unc...

Automotive Fleet’s Chris Brown connects with Cesar Ayala, fleet manager at O’Connell Landscape Maintenance, to discuss his journey from military fleet operations to the civilian sector, where he now manages a large, diverse fleet across Southern California. Ayala oversees more than 460 vehicles, from sedans to heavy-duty trucks, supporting a wide geographic footprint. He shares insights into in-house maintenance strategies, driver ...

Video telematics has already transformed fleet safety, but according to Lytx CEO Chris Cabrera, the industry is only getting started.In this Automotive Fleet on the Move interview, Cabrera explains how the market is evolving from front-facing cameras into full 360-degree vehicle visibility, giving fleets more tools to protect drivers, assets, and the public. He also discusses how AI is helping fleets pull meaningful insights from m...

In a conversation with Chris Brown of Automotive Fleet, Bob Adamski, fleet manager at AWP Safety, shares how his 5,500-vehicle fleet is navigating renewed fuel volatility. With more than 30 years in the fleet industry, Adamski has a message for fleets: “Don’t panic.” Adamski encourages fleets to use rising fuel costs as a catalyst to more easily justify initiatives such as idle reduction, route optimization, and tighter controls on...

At ‪@Geotab‬ Connect 2026, Chris Brown of Automotive Fleet spoke with David Glines, Director of Product Management – Technology Products at Wheels about emerging technologies that are reshaping how fleets manage driver safety and data.

Artificial intelligence is playing a major role in that shift. Instead of assigning generic safety training programs, new systems can analyze driver behavior and automatically generate personalized co...

When multi-location, multi-brand trades organizations — including those backed by private equity — inherit fleets, they can feel like a difficult-to-manage cost center. Here’s the solution: standardization. Standardizing vehicle selectors and upfit packages reduces costs and turns fleet operations from a source of complexity into a competitive advantage.  In this recorded webinar, you’ll learn: • Common spec'ing p...

How much difference can a few seconds of data make in fleet safety?

In this episode of Automotive Fleet on the Move, we connect with Steve Santostasi of @Ford Pro about how higher-resolution telematics data is giving fleets a clearer picture of driver behavior and safety events.

Traditionally, many telematics systems have captured vehicle data in 30-second intervals. Moving to 5-second data intervals provides fleets with much...

At Geotab Connect 2026 in Las Vegas, Chris Brown of Automotive Fleet sat down with industry veteran Rob Minton, who retired from Geotab and is now founder of Revved Up Strategies, to break down the most important fleet technology trends emerging from the conference.

Minton highlights how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming fleet management, not just at the enterprise level, but also by making advanced analytics acces...

In this episode of Automotive Fleet’s State of the Fleet Industry video series, Chris Brown sits down with auto industry analyst and media veteran Charlie Vogelheim to break down the fleet-relevant takeaways from CES 2026.

From autonomous vehicles and driverless trucks to robotics, AI, and next-generation batteries, Vogelheim shares what stood out on the show floor. He highlights where real progress is being made and where conce...

In this episode of Automotive Fleet’s State of the Fleet Industry video series, ‪@Auto-Driveaway‬ President and CEO Rodney Ruth joins Chris Brown to break down how fleet vehicle transport and logistics are changing — and what it means for fleets and FMCs.

Ruth explains how customer expectations for real-time visibility, tighter timelines, and centralized fleet management are driving new technology investments. He also compares b...

This Automotive Fleet on the Move episode takes viewers to the 2025 Fleet Forward Conference’s closing keynote, where Ted Cannis cut through the noise around electrification, tariffs, and technology hype to focus on what’s ahead for fleets. The former head of Ford Pro sat down with Automotive Fleet’s Chris Brown at the conference to discuss his experience leading EV programs, navigating Wall Street expectations, and working with ma...

This special Automotive Fleet On the Move episode takes convened at the 2025 Fleet Forward Conference in San Diego, where Chris Brown of Automotive Fleet sits down with actor Dean Norris to see whether he has what it takes to become an “honorary member” of the fleet community. Norris, known for Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and over a hundred roles across TV and film, talks about the vehicles he drove on set, his memories growing...