2022 is a critical point for fleet operators. While domestic and global issues are still having a significant impact on their operations, they now need to consider these in the context of higher levels of asset utilisation, with two in five fleets reporting that usage of company-owned vehicles has increased over the past 12 months. This sits in stark contrast to the situation we saw two years ago, where assets were sitting idle, and the priority was creating a COVID-safe operating environment. This is of course before we start considering the impending electrification of the Australian fleet (which we’ll explore in a future piece).
Given this change, fleet management priorities have returned to a greater focus on core service delivery and optimisation of asset utilisation (e.g. reducing fleet running costs or compliance costs). Larger fleets are also emphasising driver and vehicle safety, aiming to maximise this through standardisation of their assets.
This does however introduce new complexities into the role, with fleet managers now expected to manage day to day administration and planning, scheduling, budgeting and forecasting, as well as the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of insights from a range of vehicle, fleet and business data streams. It’s therefore no surprise that fleet managers are increasingly leveraging technologies that can facilitate the more process-driven elements of the role, with one in three Corporate Fleets implementing software that can automate the operational aspects of fleet management (including around half of large fleets), and a similar number having access to a fully integrated fleet management platform.
Ultimately, this talks to the changing requirements of fleet managers and fleets in 2022 and beyond. Fleet Managers will ideally be identifying areas in which they might need to upskill, as well as how they can leverage support from their FMOs and other supplier partners along this journey.
AfMA and ACA Research have again partnered together to deliver this important program of work, which follows on from previous editions in 2018 and 2020. To find out more, visit https://automotiveinsights.com.au/collections/fleet, or contact Ben Selwyn at [email protected]
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