Tips for Picking the Right Fleet Vehicle For Your Needs

One of the most effective ways to make your fleet more efficient is to replace an old, gas-guzzling vehicle with a more efficient replacement. A new vehicle can also help make your fleet less vulnerable to theft and improve driver safety. However, the task of choosing a few fleet vehicle can be a logistical chore, so think about creating a detailed outline that will help your company to accomplish efficiency goals by way of a tactical vehicle upgrade. Use the following strategies to identify where your current vehicles come up sort, select a few candidates for replacement and integrate the new model into your fleet’s workflow.

Identify the holes in the fleet’s overall performance
The best place to start when considering a car or pickup for your vehicle fleet is performance issues that are holding your current fleet back. For instance, it may be time to replace the oldest fleet trucks in your fleet if they suffer from continuously worsening fuel efficiency. In cases like these, choosing an alternative fuel or high-efficiency model to replace a gas-waster is a natural way to eliminate a source of overspending and while helping to boost the net efficiency of the entire fleet with a single purchase.

Telematics can come in handy when evaluating older fleet trucks and cars for performance lapses. The speed, braking, acceleration and efficiency data delivered by modern telematics software makes it easy to determine how a vehicle is costing your fleet extra money. You and your fleet employees can also identify a vehicle in need of a replacement by the appearance of premature wear on replaceable parts.

Spec to maximize your new vehicle purchase
You know the needs of your vehicle fleet better than anyone. Be sure to leverage the expertise when you select a vehicle for replacement. After selecting a model that can outperform the vehicle you plan to replace, consider how custom specifications could help make your new truck or car even more valuable in the long-term than its predecessor. Equipment World pointed out that upgrades like aerodynamic enhancements can make a big impact for fleets with vehicles that spend a lot of time on the open highway.

The resource also recommends customizing vehicle specifications that can preempt repair problems before they happen. For instance, a transmission running near its maximum horsepower will have a tendency to overheat if not carefully maintained – you can mitigate this repair issue by speccing your new vehicle with additional cooling accessories or an souped-up transmission. An extra investment in the initial cost of your truck could go a long way toward eliminating extra time in the repair shop.

Test drives are not optional for fleet vehicles
It’s absolutely essential to give fleet vehicles a test drive before making a purchase. You’ll get even better feedback if your company’s drivers are allowed to accompany you on shopping trips – putting them behind the wheel will give you first-hand details about performance from the driver’s perspective. Test drives are even more important if you plan to pick up a used fleet vehicle in order to curb your investment. Failure to take these vehicles out for a spin can result in some nasty surprises for your drivers once they hit the road. Uncertainty puts your fleet at greater risk for unscheduled downtime and avoidable revenue loss. Above all, Entrepreneur recommends that you treat the experience just like you would searching for your own car. Shop around, double-check everything a dealer tells you and get everything in writing.