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BFBG11verizon.indd 1 6/14/11 2:34:03 PM
A BOBIT PUBLICATION : JULY/AUGUST 2011
MANAGING 10-50 COMPANY VEHICLES : WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM
HOW TO LOWER EMISSIONS AND LIFECYCLE COSTS
FREE TOOLS!
2012-MY
BY OEM
BF GOES TOE-TO-TOW WITH THE 2011 RAM 5500 WRECKER
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fl eet.ford.com
HIGHER QUALITY.At Ford Fleet, we believe higher quality is in the details. When your employees are in our vehicles, you can be confi dent we’ve left no stone unturned to ensure those vehicles are reliable, durable and sustainable. We’re committed to continuous improvement and dedicate ourselves every day to creating cars and trucks that are greener, safer and smarter. When it comes to quality, hard work and higher standards are all we know. Because our fl eet is your fl eet. Ford Fleet. Get More.
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12 The Green Fleet Price TagTaking a hard-numbers approach to your vehicles’ tailpipe emissions and lifecycle cost data will help you improve your ecological footprint without breaking the bank.
20 Budget-Savvy Routing SolutionsFrom route optimization to voice navigation, mobile phone mapping and search engine integration, these familiar software and web-based mapping tools offer enhanced trip planning for little to no cost.
22 Real-World RollbackBusiness Fleet catches up with old friends to put a 2011 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab with a rollback wrecker package through its paces.
INTERIOR
ON THE COVER
DEPARTMENTS
FEATURES VOL. 12, NO. 5
With a 6.7-liter, 305-horsepower Cummins Turbo Diesel engine and a maximum towing capac-ity of 22,300 lbs., there’s no doubt the 2011 Ram 5500 packs a punch. But how did the rollback wrecker version fare in our real-world road test? Turn to Page 22 to fi nd out!
For weekly updates, visitwww.businessfl eet.com
4 ExhaustManufacturers’ 2012-MYFleet Incentives
10 Road Signs■ Survey Shows Cell Phone Crash Statistics
■ New Stickers Chart Annual Fuel Costs
■ Commercial Tire Costs Are on the Rise
28 Executive Showroom■ 2012 Ford Focus
■ 2011 BMW 5 Series
■ 2011 Chrysler 300
30 Selector Index
34 WEX Index
36 Revving UpReplacing work vehicles from dealer stock will be diffi cult — unless you’re looking for pickups.
ON THE WEB
20
10
28
36
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM2 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
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Choose the Sears Blue Automotive Crew for professional fleet maintenance. We offer competitive pricing and over 800 convenient locations. Plus, drive-in service and evening and weekend appointments allow drivers to schedule maintenance during down time.
We accept most national fleets.
Are you spending too much on fleet maintenance?
The Sears Blue Automotive Crew can save your company money
Learn more about Sears Fleet Maintenance Call 1-877-NOW-AUTO or visit SEARSAUTOCOMMERCIAL.COM
BRAKES
OIL CHANGES
TIRES
BATTERIES
SHOCKS & STRUTS
SUSPENSION REPAIR
COOLING SYSTEM
ALIGNMENTS
FLUID EXCHANGES
Our ASE-certified mechanical technicians average over 12 years under the hood, and our industry leading training programs mean
service and support you can count on.
VALVOLINE® OIL CHANGE ONLY
$2099Most vehicles, up to 5 quarts
Tax not included
BF0711toc.indd 3BF0711toc.indd 3 7/14/11 8:54:28 AM7/14/11 8:54:28 AM
EXHAUST
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM4 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
2012-MY MANUFACTURERS’ NATIONAL FLEET INCENTIVES
AUDI (AUDICORPORATESALES.COM)
A3 $1,000
A4 SEDAN (INCL. S4) & AVANT $1,000
A5 COUPE / A5 CABRIOLET $500
A6 SEDAN $1,000
A8 AND A8L $1,000
TT COUPE & ROADSTER $1,000
Q5 $500
Q7 $1,500
CHRYSLER(800-999-FLEET)
CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE $1,000
CHRYSLER 200 SEDAN $1,000
CHRYSLER 300 $1,000
CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY $1,500
DODGE AVENGER SEDAN $1,000
DODGE CALIBER $1,000
DODGE CHALLENGER (EXCL. SRT) $500
DODGE CHARGER (EXCL. SRT) $1,000
DODGE DURANGO $1,000
DODGE GRAND CARAVAN $1,500
DODGE JOURNEY $1,500
FIAT 500 $0
JEEP COMPASS $1,500
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE (EXCL. SRT) $1,000
JEEP LIBERTY $2,500
JEEP PATRIOT $1,500
JEEP WRANGLER $1,000
RAM 1500 REGULAR CAB/ QUAD CAB/CREW CAB $2,000
RAM 2500/3500 REGULAR CAB/ QUAD CAB/MEGA CAB $2,000
RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB (SLT & LARAMIE) $2,500
RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB (ST) $1,000
RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB (SLT & LARAMIE) $2,500
RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB (ST) $1,000
RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB (SLT & LARAMIE) $2,500
RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB (ST) $1,000
RAM CARGO VAN $1,000
FORD(FLEET.FORD.COM)
FORD EDGE $1,500
FORD FIESTA $0
FORD FLEX $2,000
FORD FOCUS $1,000
FORD FUSION (EXCL. HYBRID) B/ $1,000
FORD MUSTANG (EXCL. GT & SHELBY) B/ $1,500
FORD TAURUS (EXCL. SHO) B/ $2,000
FORD E-SERIES - ALL ENGINES C/ D/ E/ $1,500
FORD ESCAPE (EXCL. HYBRID) B/ $1,500
FORD EXPEDITION (INCL. EL) C/ $2,500
FORD EXPLORER $1,500
FORD F-SERIES (UNDER 8,500-LBS. GVWR - EXCL. RAPTOR) B/ T.B.D.
FORD F-SERIES SUPER DUTY (OVER 8,500-LBS. GVWR) GAS ENGINE D/ $2,000
F-SERIES SUPER DUTY (OVER 8,500-LBS. GVWR) DIESEL ENGINE D/ $3,000
FORD MEDIUM TRUCK F-650/F-750 D/ T.B.D.
FORD TRANSIT CONNECT (LESS TAXI PACKAGE) $500
FORD TRANSIT CONNECT (WITH 86T TAXI PACKAGE) $1,000
LINCOLN MKS $2,500
LINCOLN MKT C/ $2,000
LINCOLN MKX $2,000
LINCOLN MKZ (EXCL. HYBRID) B/ C/ $2,000
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR (INCL. L) C/ $3,500
GENERAL MOTORS
BUICK ENCLAVE $1,000
BUICK LACROSSE $500
BUICK REGAL $250
CADILLAC CTS COUPE $1,000
CADILLAC CTS SEDAN $1,000
CADILLAC CTS WAGON $1,000
CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV $2,000
CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT $2,000
CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID $2,000
CADILLAC ESCALADE SUV (EXCL. HYBRID) $2,000
BUICK SRX $750
CHEVROLET AVALANCHE $2,000
CHEVROLET CAPRICE POLICE PATROL VEHICLE $2,500
CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT $1,000
CHEVROLET COLORADO CREW $1,500
CHEVROLET COLORADO EXTENDED CAB $1,500
CHEVROLET COLORADO REGULAR CAB $1,000
CHEVROLET CRUZE $250
CHEVROLET EQUINOX $500
CHEVROLET EXPRESS $1,500
CHEVROLET IMPALA $2,000
CHEVROLET MALIBU $1,000
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 (EXCL. HYBRID) $2,500
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HYBRID $2,500
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD GAS $2,500
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD DIESEL $3,000
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD GAS $2,500
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500HD DIESEL $3,000
CHEVROLET SONIC $250
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN $2,000
CHEVROLET TAHOE $2,000
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE $1,000
GMC ACADIA $1,000
GMC CANYON CREW $1,500
GMC CANYON EXTENDED $1,500
GMC CANYON REGULAR $1,000
GMC SAVANA $1,500
GMC SIERRA 1500 (EXCL. HYBRID) $2,500
GMC SIERRA 1500 HYBRID $2,500
GMC SIERRA 2500HD GAS $2,500
GMC SIERRA 2500HD DIESEL $3,000
GMC SIERRA 3500HD GAS $2,500
GMC SIERRA 3500HD DIESEL $3,000
GMC TERRAIN $500
GMC YUKON $2,000
GMC YUKON XL $2,000
HYUNDAI
ACCENT (FOUR-DOOR) $750
SONATA $2,000
ELANTRA $1,000
ELANTRA TOURING $1,000
TUCSON (FWD & AWD) $1,000
SANTA FE (FWD & AWD 2.4L & 3.5L) $1,500
GENESIS $2,000
KIA(KIA.COM)
FORTE $750
FORTE KOUP $750
SPORTAGE $500
SEDONA $1,000
SORENTO $750
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
BF0711exhaust.indd 4BF0711exhaust.indd 4 7/14/11 8:48:06 AM7/14/11 8:48:06 AM
Visit fl eet-central.com to fi nd out more, or contact a Subaru fl eet professional at 1-800-879-8233.
*EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2011 Forester 2.5X and Outback 2.5i CVT models. †Based on ALG’s 2011 Residual Value Awards for Compact Utility Vehicles and Midsize Utility Vehicles.
The Subaru Forester and Outback, with Symmetrical All-Wheel
Drive standard, get 27 MPG and 29 MPG* respectively, have
been awarded ALG Residual Value Awards† and are 2011 IIHS
Top Safety Picks. They’re the smart, safe, long-term investment.
Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.
Should I offer Subaru as my fl eet vehicle?
Short answer: yeah
Long answer: heck yeah
BF0711exhaust.indd 5BF0711exhaust.indd 5 7/14/11 8:48:06 AM7/14/11 8:48:06 AM
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EXHAUST
STAFF
PublisherEdward J. Bobit
Group PublisherSherb Brown
Executive EditorChris Brown310-533-2499
Managing Editor/Art DirectorTariq Kamal310-533-2470
Editorial ConsultantHoward Rauch
Production DirectorKelly Bracken
eMedia and PrintProduction Manager
Brian Peach310-533-2548
Great Lakes Sales Manager Robert Brown, Jr.
Sales ManagerEric Bearly310-533-2579
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Tracey Tremblay
Business and Editorial Offi ceBobit Business Media
3520 Challenger St.Torrance, CA 90503Phone: 310-533-2400
Fax: 310-533-2503E-mail: info@
businessfl eet.com
Subscription Inquiries888-239-2455
Chairman Edward J. Bobit
President & CEOTy F. Bobit
Chief Financial Offi cerRichard E. Johnson
Printed in U.S.A.
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM6 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
SELECTED VEHICLES ONLY. SEE WEBSITES AND FLEET ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES FOR PROGRAM DETAILS AND RESTRICTIONS.
2012-MY MANUFACTURERS’ NATIONAL FLEET INCENTIVES
MAZDA(MAZDAUSA.COM/FLEET)
CX-7 $1,000
CX-9 $1,500
MAZDA2 $500
MAZDA3 $500
MAZDA5 $800
MAZDA6 $750
MX-5 MIATA $1,000
MERCEDES-BENZ(FLEET.MBUSA.COM)
C-CLASS $1,500
E-CLASS $2,000
S-CLASS $4,000
CLS-CLASS $3,000
CL-CLASS $4,000
SLK-CLASS $2,000
SL-CLASS $3,000
R-CLASS $1,000
GLK-CLASS $1,500
M-CLASS $3,000
GL-CLASS $3,000
G-CLASS $3,000
NISSAN(NISSANUSA.COM/BUYING)
CUBE $500
VERSA $500
SENTRA $500
ALTIMA SEDAN $1,000
ALTIMA COUPE $0
LEAF $0
MAXIMA $1,000
QUEST $0
FRONTIER $1,000
PATHFINDER $1,000
XTERRA $1,000
JUKE $0
ROGUE $500
MURANO $1,000
MURANO CC $0
TITAN $1,000
ARMADA $1,000
SAAB(248-581-0855)
9-3 SEDAN & WAGON $4,000
9-3 CONVERTIBLE $4,000
9-5 SEDAN $3,000
9-4X CROSSOVER $3,000
TOYOTA(FLEET.TOYOTA.COM)
4RUNNER TBD
AVALON $1,000
CAMRY (GAS) $400
CAMRY (HYBRID) $0
COROLLA $1,000
HIGHLANDER (GAS) TBD
HIGHLANDER (HYBRID) $0
FJ $0
LANDCRUISER $0
MATRIX $1,000
PRIUS TBD
PRIUS V TBD
PRIUS C TBD
PRIUS PLUG-IN TBD
RAV4 $800
SEQUOIA $1,000
SIENNA $1,000
TACOMA $750
TUNDA (DOUBLE/CREWMAX) $2,500
VENZA $400
YARIS L/B (EXCL. ALL-NEW-GENERATION SEDANS) $200
VOLVO
C30 $1,000
C70 $0
S60 $500
S80 $1,500
XC60 $1,000
XC70 $1,500
XC90 $1,500
BF0711exhaust.indd 6BF0711exhaust.indd 6 7/14/11 8:48:06 AM7/14/11 8:48:06 AM
BF0711morse.indd 1 7/7/11 8:38:12 AMBF0711exhaust.indd 7BF0711exhaust.indd 7 7/14/11 8:48:08 AM7/14/11 8:48:08 AM
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BF0711exhaust.indd 9BF0711exhaust.indd 9 7/14/11 8:48:09 AM7/14/11 8:48:09 AM
ZoomSafer re-
leased a survey
showing that 32
percent of companies
have knowledge or
evidence of on-the-job
crashes that occurred
as a result of distrac-
tions stemming from
employee use of cell
phones while driving.
The fi rst annual
survey polled 500
business managers in
North America from
sales and service
(sedan) fl eets, truck-
ing (local and long
haul), construction,
public sector, utilities
(telecommunications,
cable, etc.), home and
business services and
chauffeured transpor-
tation (taxi, limousine,
and bus).
Overall fi ndings
indicate rapidly grow-
ing concern among
corporate managers
about distracted driv-
ing risks and liability.
Results show that 62
percent of companies
have adopted written
policies prohibiting
employees from using
a mobile phone while
driving for company
business; however,
only a little more than
half make any attempt
to enforce compliance.
Some fi ndings
include:
■ 32 percent of
companies have
knowledge or
evidence of vehicle
crashes that occurred
as a result of distrac-
tions stemming from
employee use of cell
Survey Shows On-t Stats From Cell-
RAM UNVEILS CLASS 5 ‘LONG HAULER’ CONCEPT
Chrysler’s Ram brand
has introduced a new
concept truck, the Ram
“Long Hauler,” which is
based on a Class 5 Ram
5500 Chassis Cab, that’s
designed for towing heavy
trailers, long-distance
driving and for use at a
work site.
Starting with a Class
5 Ram 5500 Crew Cab,
Ram designers added
a Mega Cab passenger
compartment, an eight-
foot box and a midship
fuel tank. The extra tank
helps increase the range
between refueling stops.
Combined with a second
frame-mounted tank and
an optional third bed-
mounted auxiliary tank,
total fuel capacity is
170 gallons.
The powertrain for the
concept truck includes an
inline six-cylinder 6.7-liter
Cummins Turbo Diesel
engine rated at 800 lb.-
ft. of torque. The Ram’s
diesel engine is mated to
a six-speed, Aisin AS68RC
automatic transmission
with a four-wheel-drive
transfer case coupled to a
4.88 Dana 110 axle with
dual rear wheels.
ROADSIGNS
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM10 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
The U.S. Department
of Transportation
(DOT) and the Environ-
mental Protection Agency
(EPA) unveiled new fuel
economy labels, appearing
in 2013. This is the fi rst
overhaul of the labels
since the program began
30 years ago.
Some of the key data points on
the label include annual fuel cost,
mpg equivalents for non-gasoline
or diesel-powered vehicles, a
tailpipe emissions ratings, a smog
check rating, fuel savings over a
fi ve-year period and even
a QR code.
The QR code (bottom right) allows users to get more information about the vehicle by taking a photo with a web-enabled smartphone.
EPA AND DOT UNVEIL NEW FUEL ECONOMY LABELS
oints on The QR code (bottom right)
BF0711roadsigns.indd 10BF0711roadsigns.indd 10 7/14/11 8:53:25 AM7/14/11 8:53:25 AM
The Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS) evalu-
ated 13 small cars, in which
six earned the organi-
zation’s Top Safety
Pick award. None
of the vehicles
earned a “poor”
rating in any of the
agency’s four tests.
The IIHS said it
rates safety per-
formance on results
from front, side, rollover
and rear impact tests. Cars that
earn the top rating of “good” in
these tests, and are equipped with
electronic stability control (ESC),
qualify for the Top Safety
Pick award.
The six Top Safety
Pick award winners
are:
■ 2012 Ford Focus
■ 2012 Honda
Civic
■ 2011 Hyundai
Elantra
■ 2011 Lexus CT 200h
hybrid
■ 2011 Nissan Juke
■ 2011 Toyota Prius hybrid
SIX SMALL CARS EARN IIHS ‘TOP SAFETY PICK’ HONOR
Modern Tire Dealer
magazine reports the
following price increases,
all in effect as of July 5:
■ Falken Tire Corp.
commercial truck tire
prices by up to 10 percent.
■ Hankook Tire America
Corp. commercial tires,
including Hankook and
Aurora, up to 9 percent.
■ Double Coin Hold-
ings Ltd. radial truck, OTR,
crane and industrial tires
up to 6 percent.
■ Yokohama Tire Corp.
medium truck and com-
mercial light truck tires,
up to 8 percent.
■ Continental, Gen-
eral and AmeriSteel brand
replacement commercial
truck tires sold in the U.S.
by 11 percent.
■ Michelin and BF-
Goodrich replacement
commercial truck tires by
an average of 12 percent;
Michelin brand replacement
tires in the U.S. and Canada
up to 6 percent.
■ Dealer base price list
on Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.
commercial truck tires up
to an average of 9 percent.
-the-Job Crashl-Phone Use
phones while driv-
ing; 50 percent of
companies with more
than 500 drivers have
knowledge or evi-
dence of such crashes.
■ 7.6 percent of
companies have faced
plaintiff’s litigation re-
sulting from damages
allegedly occurring as
a result of employee
use of cell phones
while driving. For
companies with more
than 5,000 drivers the
same statistic is 37
percent.
■ Long haul truck-
ing and local trucking
were the most likely
to have a written cell
phone policy (71 per-
cent and 83 percent,
respectively) while
home and business
services were least
likely (less than 50
percent).
■ 53 percent of
companies with a de-
fi ned cell phone policy
claim to enforce the
policy in some man-
ner. Interestingly, 25
percent of respondents
who claimed to have
a policy declined to
answer how such poli-
cies were enforced.
For companies that
did answer the policy
enforcement ques-
tion, 61 percent said
they utilized “post-
incident” employee
discipline to enforce
compliance.
ROADSIGNS
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM JULY/AUGUST 2011 11BUSINESS FLEET
ZoomSafer’s study revealed that more than half of all large fl eets surveyed had recorded a crash resulting from cell phone use while driving.
COMMERCIAL TIRE PRICES INCREASE MIDYEAR
PH
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KPH
OT
O.C
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/ 4FR
PH
OT
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OU
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ESY
MO
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BF0711roadsigns.indd 11BF0711roadsigns.indd 11 7/14/11 8:53:26 AM7/14/11 8:53:26 AM
FFLEET VEHICLES ARE A FINANCIAL
asset and an environmental liability.
They keep businesses running, but
they’re often a company’s No. 1 source
of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)
and smog-forming pollutants. Clean-
er-running vehicles represent a great
opportunity to reduce one’s ecologi-
cal footprint. But becoming a better
environmental steward comes with a
price tag, which is especially tough
in a down economy.
Business Fleet asked the lifecy-
cle experts at Vincentric to provide
cost data for popular fl eet sedan and
crossover models along with their
outputs of smog-forming pollutants
and greenhouse gases. We wanted
to see which models offer the best
combination of lifecycle cost and
environmental benefi t.
Vincentric weighed eight cost
factors for confi gurations in the
2011 model year to determine over-
all lifecycle costs for three years and
60,000 miles. The eight factors are
depreciation, fuel, insurance, oppor-
tunity cost, fi nancing, maintenance,
taxes, and state fees and repairs.
These costs were integrated with the
Vincentric Fleet Price, which esti-
mates the acquisition cost for each
vehicle in the study.
Using data from the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Vincen-
tric then calculated GHGs (tons per
year) and smog (pounds per year)
emissions for the 60,000-mile/
three-year period.
THE WINNER
After weighing GHGs and smog
outputs against total lifecycle cost,
Toyota Prius won hands down. The
nation’s best-selling hybrid fi nished
fi rst in the lifecycle cost and GHG
categories and second in the smog
category.
While the Prius has higher acqui-
sition costs than many models, much
of those costs are recouped in fuel
savings and higher residual values.
The other hybrids in the analysis
reaped similar fuel and residual val-
ue payback, though to a lesser extent.
As to be expected, all six of the hy-
brid models in the analysis ranked in
the Top 10 in lowest levels of GHG
and smog output.
The Ford Focus S and Chevrolet
Cruze Eco also placed in the Top 10
in all three categories, proving that
vehicles with traditional internal
combustion engines (ICEs) also can
be cost-effective and environmen-
tally friendly. Two more models, the
non-Eco Chevrolet Cruze and Volks-
wagen’s Jetta SE, fi nished just out-
side the Top 10.
CYLINDER SAVINGS
Where can fl eets look for a combina-
tion of cost savings and environmen-
tal improvement?
The engine analysis chart calcu-
lates examples of possible cost sav-
ings and GHG savings within the
same model, when looking at six-
and four-cylinder ICE versions com-
pared to their hybrid counterparts.
For instance, moving from the
Toyota Camry V-6 to its four-cylin-
der Base counterpart will save 11.5
percent in GHG output and $2,446 in
cost over the three-year and 60,000-
mile lifecycle. Moving from Camry
V-6 to the hybrid version saves 30.7
percent — a much greater percent-
age of GHG output — and puts
$2,026 back in your pocket.
Moving from Camry Base to Cam-
ry Hybrid will still save 21.2 percent
in GHG, though at a cost premium
of $879.
Looking at Ford Fusion, moving
from the six-cylinder Fusion SEL to
the four-cylinder Fusion S model will
reap 29.6 percent GHG savings and
also save a whopping $8,565 in total
cost. Switching from the six-cylinder
SEL to Fusion Hybrid results in an
impressive 51.3 percent GHG sav-
ings and $7,440 in cost.
Similar to Camry, moving from the
four-cylinder Fusion S to Fusion Hy-
brid will yield an impressive 30.8 per-
cent in GHG savings, though at a cost
premium of $1,125 over the lifecycle.
Regarding Honda Civic, moving
from the four-cylinder Civic DX to
Civic hybrid results in 29.3 percent
GHG savings, though it will cost you
$1,193 over the lifecycle to make
that switch.
We included Chevrolet Malibu
with six- to four-cylinder engines
to further demonstrate that simply
moving down in cylinders results in
Taking a hard-numbers approach to your vehicles’ tailpipe emissions and lifecycle cost data will help you improve your ecological footprint without breaking the bank. BY CHRIS BROWN
GREEN FLEETPRICE TAG
PROCUREMENT
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM12 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
THE
BF0711vincentric.indd 12BF0711vincentric.indd 12 7/20/11 4:43:30 PM7/20/11 4:43:30 PM
substantial GHGs and cost savings.
Analyzing current model-year
SUVs and crossovers produced a
similar result. Vincentric found that
switching from the six-cylinder mod-
els to their hybrid versions shows
signifi cant GHG savings as well,
though the cost component varies.
Moving from the Toyota High-
lander Base V-6 to Highlander Hy-
brid saves 28.6 percent in GHGs
and $1,001. The move from Ford
Escape Limited 3.0-liter V-6 to Es-
cape Hybrid cuts GHGs by 36.4 per-
cent — though at a slight $432 cost
premium.
On both models, switching from
six- to four-cylinder engines offers
GHG savings — albeit a smaller
amount than going to the hybrid
model — along with a cost savings.
We also asked for an analysis of
savings on two luxury models, Audi
A6 and BMW 5 Series, when mov-
ing from eight to six cylinders. In
both instances, stepping down in en-
gine size reaps substantial savings in
both GHGs and cost.
SMART DECISION MAKING
This analysis is only a small sample of
models and is intended to provide a ba-
sis for your own cost analysis, minus
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM JULY/AUGUST 2011 13BUSINESS FLEET
FLEET MODEL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND COST ANALYSISSHOWING LIFECYCLE COSTS WITH SMOG-FORMING POLLUTANTS AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, (THREE YEARS, 60,000 MILES) SORTED BY LIFECYCLE COST WITHIN SEGMENT
VEHICLE COMBINED MPG TOTAL LIFECYCLE COST
SMOG(LBS., 60,000 MILES)
GHG(TONS, 60,000 MILES)
COMPACT CARS
TOYOTA PRIUS I 50 17248 11.25 11.73
TOYOTA COROLLA BASE 29 18809 21.15 20.25
HONDA CIVIC DX 29 19229 21.15 20.25
FORD FOCUS S 28 19565 11.25 20.97
CHEVROLET CRUZE 1FL 28 19739 14.55 20.93
CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO 30 20206 14.55 19.56
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 41 20422 3.96 14.31
INTERMEDIATE CARS
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE PZEV 27 20667 11.25 21.75
TOYOTA CAMRY BASE 26 21149 21.15 22.59
FORD FUSION S 27 21247 21.15 21.75
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 33 21569 11.25 17.79
FORD FUSION HYBRID 39 22372 11.25 15.06
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DIESEL TDI 34 22377 21.15 19.62
CHEVROLET MALIBU LS FLEET 26 23554 21.15 22.59
TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6 23 23595 21.15 25.53
FORD TAURUS SE 21 24043 21.15 27.96
CHRYSLER 300 C 19 24786 14.55 30.90
CHRYSLER 200 LX 24 24846 14.55 24.45
CHEVROLET IMPALA LS FLEET 22 27195 14.55 26.70
DODGE CHARGER BASE 21 27941 14.55 27.96
CHEVROLET MALIBU 2LT 3.6L 20 28609 21.15 29.37
CHRYSLER 200 S 22 29069 14.55 26.70
CHRYSLER 300 BASE 21 29627 14.55 27.96
FORD FUSION SEL AWD 19 29812 21.15 30.90
SUVS/CROSSOVERS
FORD ESCAPE XLS 24 21862 21.15 24.45
CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS 26 22203 14.55 22.59
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE 4 CYL 22 22573 21.15 26.70
SUBARU OUTBACK BASE PZEV 25 22777 14.55 23.49
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD 28 22907 11.25 20.97
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE 20 23908 21.15 29.37
FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 3.0L 21 23997 14.55 27.96
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 33 24429 11.25 17.79
CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT 3.0L 20 25671 14.55 29.37
FORD EDGE SE 21 25762 21.15 27.96
LUXURY (ENTRY/PRESTIGE)
VOLVO S40 T5 24 25169 21.15 24.45
AUDI A4 2.0T PREMIUM 25 26979 21.15 23.49
MERCEDES-BENZ C300 21 28210 21.15 27.96
BMW 528i 26 31385 21.15 22.59
VOLVO S60 T6 AWD 21 32745 21.15 27.96
AUDI A6 3.2 PREMIUM 24 32987 21.15 24.45
BMW 535i 22 35835 21.15 26.70
BMW 550i 18 43542 21.15 32.61
AUDI A6 4.2 PRESTIGE 19 43915 21.15 30.90
LIFECYCLE DATA ©2011 VINCENTRIC LLC
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many other important factors such as
driver preference and vehicle utility.
While alternatively fueled and
powered vehicles grab the spotlight,
a more complete view of your own
company’s environmental impact re-
quires a measurement of your fl eet’s
total emissions of greenhouse gas
and smog-forming pollutants. By
doing this, less dramatic changes —
such as merely switching cylinders
on similar models — will show their
impact. BF
NOTES■ Smog-forming pollution is created by two types of vehicle emissions: hydrocarbons (including non-methane organic compounds, or NMOG) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx). When combined with sunlight, they create smog.
■ Greenhouse gas emissions are a function of fuel combustion. Such gases trap heat in the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases emitted from vehicles include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and ni-trous oxide (N2O), and relatively small amounts of hydrofl uorocarbons (HFCs) and black carbon.
■ BF used federal emissions (rather than Cali-fornia-based) standards to simplify comparisons.
■ This analysis used models with automatic transmissions or fl eet model designations.
■ Two-wheel-drive only versions were includ-ed, unless model or engine level is exclusively four-wheel drive.
PROCUREMENT
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM16 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (TONS, 60,000 MILES)
VEHICLECOMBINED
MPG
TOTAL LIFECYCLE
COSTGHG
TOYOTA PRIUS I 50 17248 11.73
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 41 20422 14.31
FORD FUSION HYBRID 39 22372 15.06
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 33 21569 17.79
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 33 24429 17.79
CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO 30 20206 19.56
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DIESEL TDI 34 22377 19.62
HONDA CIVIC DX 29 19229 20.25
TOYOTA COROLLA BASE 29 18809 20.25
CHEVROLET CRUZE 1FL 28 19739 20.93
FORD FOCUS S 28 19565 20.97
SMOG-FORMING POLLUTANTS (LBS, 60,000 MILES)
VEHICLECOMBINED
MPG
TOTAL LIFECYCLE
COSTSMOG
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 41 20422 3.96
TOYOTA PRIUS I 50 17248 11.25
FORD FUSION HYBRID 39 22372 11.25
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 33 21569 11.25
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 33 24429 11.25
FORD FOCUS S 28 19565 11.25
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD 28 22907 11.25
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE PZEV 27 20667 11.25
CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO 30 20206 14.55
CHEVROLET CRUZE 1FL 28 19739 14.55
TENTH PLACE IS OCCUPIED BY 11 VEHICLES WITH 14.55 POUNDS OF OUTPUT. CRUZE WAS RANKED HIGHER DUE TO COMBINED GHG AND SMOG SCORE.
GREENHOUSE GAS AND LIFECYCLE COST SAVINGS WHEN CHANGING ENGINES AND CYLINDERS
VEHICLECOMBINED
MPG
TOTAL LIFECYCLE
COSTSMOG GHG
% GHG SAVINGS
LIFECYCLE SAVINGS
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 33 21569 11.25 17.79 30.3% 2,026
TOYOTA CAMRY BASE 26 21149 21.15 22.59 11.5% 2,446
TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6 23 23595 21.15 25.53
FORD FUSION HYBRID 39 22372 11.25 15.06 51.3% 7,440
FORD FUSION S 27 21247 21.15 21.75 29.6% 8,565
FORD FUSION SEL AWD V6 19 29812 21.15 30.90
HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 41 20422 3.96 14.31 29.3% -1,193
HONDA CIVIC DX 29 19229 21.15 20.25
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 33 24429 11.25 17.79 36.4% -432
FORD ESCAPE XLS 24 21862 21.15 24.45 12.6% 2,135
FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 3.0L V6 21 23997 14.55 27.96
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 28 22907 11.25 20.97 28.6% 1,001
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE 22 22573 21.15 26.70 9.1% 1,335
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE V6 20 23908 21.15 29.37
CHEVROLET MALIBU LS FLEET 26 23554 21.15 22.59 23.1% 5,055
CHEVROLET MALIBU 2LT 3.6L V6 20 28609 21.15 29.37
AUDI A6 3.2 PREMIUM 24 32987 21.15 24.45 20.9% 10,928
AUDI A6 4.2 PRESTIGE V8 19 43915 21.15 30.90
BMW 528i 26 31385 21.15 22.59 30.7% 12,157
BMW 535i 22 35835 21.15 26.70 18.1% 7,707
BMW 550i V8 18 43542 21.15 32.61
GHG SAVINGS AND LIFECYCLE SAVINGS ARE CALCULATED FROM THE LARGEST ENGINE (IN GREEN).
BF0711vincentric.indd 16BF0711vincentric.indd 16 7/20/11 4:43:36 PM7/20/11 4:43:36 PM
In his waste management business, Darin Coats uses his trucks for everything from pumping septic tanks to pulling his backhoe. “Mike, my BusinessLink dealer, said they’d put a new front end on my truck and I’d be on the road the next day. And they did their darnedest to do that. He knows my trucks can’t be down. They just can’t.”
Darin’s free BusinessLink membership provides him with priority services for his Dodge and Ram trucks, even his 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs. “It’s amazing to me because West Motor Company is a small dealership, but they treat me like a big dealership would,” Darin says. “They help me in whatever I do. They’ll pick up my truck when it needs service, give me a loaner, take me wherever I need to go.” And when it comes to fi nancing, “It seems like I can get a truck really easily.” Darin relies on Mike to take care of things. “I trust him, it’s been an earned relationship.”
See why businesses choose BusinessLink.
Watch a BusinessLink video
featuring Darin on your smartphone.
Download the Microsoft Tag Reader
app at http://gettag.mobi and capture
a photo of this tag.
Got a BusinessLink story of your own? Send it to facebook.com/ramtrucks and you may be featured in our next ad!
The fast lane for small business.
chryslerbusinesslink.com . 877-2THELINK
“Small businesses are going to run the country because we take care of each other. My BusinessLink dealer took an interest in my business. It’s like an unoffi cial partnership — and that’s the best kind.”
Darin Coats, President
Coats & Coats LLC, Preston, ID
2011 Ram Chassis Cab
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BusinessLink Commercial Finance Provider
BF0711vincentric.indd 17BF0711vincentric.indd 17 7/20/11 4:43:39 PM7/20/11 4:43:39 PM
Get to Know the All-New Volvo S60 With City
You Know It’s Luxurious and Safe.
Volvo XC60 Volvo S80
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BF0711vincentric.indd 18BF0711vincentric.indd 18 7/20/11 4:43:39 PM7/20/11 4:43:39 PM
For more information, visitwww.volvocars.us/fleet or calltoll-free 1 877 283-5338
y SafetyTM Forward Collision Warning System.
Did You Know It Starts Under $30,000?
Introducing the 2012 Volvo S60 — uncompromised performance, technology and legendary Volvo safety in the body of a European sports sedan. Boasting a highway fuel economy of 30 mpg, the all-new Volvo S60 comes standard with City Safety,TM a forward collision warning system with full auto brake. With cutting-edge technology and timeless styling, the S60 is an indulgence that’s easy to justify.
Volvo’s aggressive fleet program includes incentives, impressive lifecycle costs,
factory scheduled maintenance, a 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty
and roadside assistance.
AF03-45volvo.indd 8-9 5/12/11 12:47:57 PM
BF0711vincentric.indd 19BF0711vincentric.indd 19 7/20/11 4:43:42 PM7/20/11 4:43:42 PM
AA WE LL-TA ILORE D MAPP ING
solution can help make any business
driver more effi cient, and making
sure the tool is modifi ed to fi t certain
needs doesn’t have to be expensive.
Most web-based map services offer
many of the same advanced features
as highly customized solutions, mi-
nus the giant price tag.
NAVIGATING ON A DIME
With a $40 installation cost and a $40
renewal fee every other year, Micro-
soft Streets and Trips has become the
go-to resource for Ron Day’s Fibre-
new franchise, a leather repair busi-
ness based in Southside Atlanta.
With his laptop and separately
purchased USB GPS receiver in tow,
Day uses the software’s routing capa-
bility to plan a week’s worth of trips
or to update directions as needed
during a route. Day says Streets and
Trips’ turn-by-turn voice navigation
also has proved to be a valuable ben-
efi t while he’s on the road.
Users can plug in an entire
day’s worth of addresses and
click on the “Maximize Route”
button. The software provides
a plan that includes estimated
times of arrival and distance
and can take into account
parameters such as driving
speeds, road types, and start
and stop times.
Streets and Trips also allows users
to view and print street view maps
that show side streets in detail or
wide view maps that show interstates
and freeway exit locations.
“I can call the night before I route
every [customer] and say, ‘I’m going
to be there at this time,’” Day says.
“It really helps cut down on time.”
FREE AND FUNCTIONAL: GOOGLE, BING AND MAPQUEST
A variety of free, web-based tools are
available on the Internet for anyone to
use, each packed with useful features
like road, street and satellite views,
simple route planners, live traffi c
updates or parameter settings to help
create custom routes off the cuff.
While charting a route with a free
map tool can be as simple as entering
in a starting and ending address and
clicking on “Get Directions,” Micro-
soft’s free Bing Maps tool incorpo-
rates results from the parent search
engine. Google Maps does the same,
typically including contact informa-
tion and hours of business.
Other free mapping services such
as MapQuest incorporate a toolbar
with options for toggling views of
local businesses like gas stations,
ATMs, lodging and airports. Us-
ers can also type in their own terms
to fi nd locations by category (e.g.,
“post offi ce” or “airport”). Unleaded
regular fuel prices are also available
and are updated daily.
In place of a map toolbar or tool
tabs, Bing Maps offers more than 60
“Map Apps” that include distance
calculators, parking fi nders, traffi c
camera views, dataset displays and
weather updates. RouteSavvy, a Bing
Map App created by third-party pub-
lisher OnTerra, allows users to enter
up to 100 addresses and receive an
optimized route between their desti-
nations, according to Microsoft.
In addition, map tools often
have route planners integrated
into the main tool or in separate
browsing windows. Google’s
multiple-stop route options, for
example, are part of the stan-
dard map, while MapQuest and
Bing Maps offer separate route
planning tools that offer more
customizability.
MapQuest’s free Route Plan-
ner, available as its own website, can
calculate routes with up to 26 stops.
The Route Planner offers parameter
selections that include choosing be-
tween the shortest time and the short-
est distance or allowing the map to
effi ciently re-order stops. Business
drivers are using the tool for mileage
BUDGET-SAVVY ROUTING
TECHNOLOGY
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM20 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
Google Maps’ now-famous Street View can be incorporated into driving directions.
BF0711mapapps.indd 20BF0711mapapps.indd 20 7/14/11 8:49:26 AM7/14/11 8:49:26 AM
SOLUTIONSreimbursement, says Anke Corbin,
vice president of marketing and dis-
tribution at MapQuest.
THREE MORE FREE MAP TOOLS
Among typical map services,
NAVTEQ Map24 has a customiz-
able route confi gurator that allows
users to select type of vehicle, means
of travel (interstate, road, or minor
road) and amount of highway use
and road type.
Free Map Tools offers more
than 30 tools for creating,
measuring and saving maps to
share with others, including
“How Far Is It In Between?”
for measuring distances, Time
Zone Converter, Radius Around
Point and Area Calculator. The
Meeting COG for ZIP codes
tool offers the closest location
to hold a meeting by processing at-
tendees’ ZIPs.
Rand McNally offers a user-
friendly interface for obtaining di-
rections and maps, as well as useful
travel guides with information, pho-
tos and videos for a large number of
cities across the United States.
MAPPING ON A MOBILE PHONE
Depending on the map tool of
choice, fl eet managers can share fi n-
ished maps and directions with driv-
ers via email, text message, iPad or
a pre-installed navigation device.
Both Google Maps and MapQuest
are available in a mobile application
version, while Bing Maps is avail-
able as part of the Bing mobile app
for phones and the iPad.
Fibrenew Atlanta Northwest fran-
chisee Bill Metropol uses Google
Maps on his BlackBerry phone to set
up destinations the day before and
checks BlackBerry Traffi c en route
to keep his directions updated. By
using a phone cradle in his vehicle,
Metropol can get in, touch the screen
and go, he says.
Metropol uses Google Maps’ re-
routing feature on the fl y. To add a
stop to a route, “You can place your
cursor over the highlighted route on
the Google map and drag that road
in the middle like a rubber band and
stretch it in another direction,” he
adds. “The map will automatically
adjust for you.”
Metropol also uses the Yellow
Pages mobile app to fi nd local busi-
nesses quickly when he’s out on a
call and short on time. The app can
pull up all locations of a certain type
of business — say, dentists who may
be in need of leather repair — then
navigate to those locations and pro-
vide URLs and phone numbers.
Standard GPS services with voice
navigation can be very costly, so the
voice navigation feature on Map-
Quest’s free mobile app has been met
with a warm response, MapQuest’s
Corbin says. To keep drivers on time,
the app also features an estimated
time of arrival function.
Last year, business traveler and IT
professional Paul Braren of Wethers-
fi eld, Conn., decided to replace his
portable GPS device with an iPhone
4. He uses NAVIGON Mobile Navi-
gator software on his phone and
syncs addresses from his computer
using Apple’s MobileMe service.
“Before I head out, I run NAV-
IGON on my phone and I point
it to my address book and the
different places I’m going,”
Braren says. “If I get a busi-
ness-related call, I can take the
call and just keep my hands on
the wheel of the car. As soon as
I hang up, it returns me to the
directions.”
At $49.99, NAVIGON is a bit
pricey for an iPhone app, Braren
says — but well worth the cost. “Dur-
ing 10 to 20 mile trips, I spend half as
much time in the car as I would with-
out NAVIGON,” he says.
Live traffi c updates on the app
that reroute around trouble automat-
ically “have saved my skin,” Braren
says. BF
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM JULY/AUGUST 2011 21BUSINESS FLEET
t
From route optimization to voice navigation, mobile phone mapping and search engine integration, these familiar software and web-based mapping tools offer enhanced trip planning for little to no cost. BY JENNIFER WASHINGTON
MapQuest’s free Route Planner, available as its own website, can calculate routes with up to 26 stops.
PH
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BF0711mapapps.indd 21BF0711mapapps.indd 21 7/14/11 8:49:27 AM7/14/11 8:49:27 AM
VEHICLE SPOTLIGHT
WBusiness Fleet catches up with old friends to put a 2011 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab with a rollback
wrecker package through its paces. BY CHRIS BROWN AND TARIQ K AMAL
REAL-WORLD ROLLBACK
WHEN WE L AST TR AVELED TO
the San Fernando Valley to meet up
with Steve Heller of Howard Som-
mers Towing and Century Towing’s
Jeff Littman, we tested the 2008
Ram 5500 under real-world tow-
ing conditions (“Towing the Line,”
September 2008). Three years later,
the 2011 edition landed at Business
Fleet’s doorstep, eager to prove
its worth among its medium-duty
competitors.
Heller and Littman were happy to
oblige, and Littman was able to se-
cure a pristine Maserati coupe from
The Auto Gallery Service Center
to add a layer of class to our gritty
road test.
MAX TOW FOR 2012
Coming this fall, the 2012 Ram
4500/5500 Chassis Cab offers a
GCWR upgrade as part of an op-
tional “Max Tow” package, avail-
able on both regular and crew cab
models and in 4x2 and 4x4 confi gu-
rations. The Ram Max Tow package
includes a new transfer case gear
Heller checks under the hood. Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab
trucks come equipped with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine that produces 305 hp at 2,900 rpm and
610 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,600 rpm.
The Cummins commercial-grade
DEF system is placed out of the way of upfi t zones.
22 BUSINESS FLEET
▲
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▲
JULY/AUGUST 2011
PH
OT
OS
BY
TA
RIQ
KA
MA
L
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VEHICLE SPOTLIGHT
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM24 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
Littman gave the signal to pull the Maserati onto the 5500’s 19-foot, alu-minum bed. With built-in tan-dem PTO capability, all Ram models feature a heavy-duty cooling system in order to meet additional heat loads that are often generated from PTO upfi ts and/or extreme hauling.
After securing the load and getting behind the wheel, Littman praised the new truck’s drive capabilities — especially in close quarters. “The turning radius is amazing; it’s really tight,” he said. “With the exhaust brake, it’s just awesome. You touch the brakes and you come to a com-plete stop. And it’s got plenty of power and it feels really stable with that car on it. The power and accel-eration is amazing.”
Littman liked the new truck’s built-in upfi tter switches, easy-to-read
gauges and variety of charge points.
The industry-standard 34-inch frame rail spacing and fl at, clean rails on a one-piece C-channel rear-frame rail with a 50,000-psi steel strength allow for easy upfi tting. Heller has his hand on an optional 22-gallon mid-ship fuel tank, which frees up more space behind the rear axle.
Visit www.businessfl eet.com to watch a video of Heller, Littman, the truck and the Maserati in action!
▲
▲▲
▲
set as well as chain and sprocket
upgrades, recalibrated transmission
software and an enhanced collection
of thermal management devices.
The 30,000-lb. GCWR gives the
Ram Chassis Cab a 4,000-lb. in-
crease in trailer-towing capabilities.
That’s good enough for a maximum
of 22,300 lbs. on a Ram 4500 or
5500 Chassis Cab equipped with a
6-speed automatic transmission on
Class 4 Chassis Cab trucks.
Max Tow is available on Ram
Chassis Cab trucks equipped with
the optional commercial-grade Ai-
sin 6-speed automatic transmission
and 4.88 rear-axle ratio. A 4.44 axle
is standard on 4500 models and not
available with the Max Tow pack-
age. A 6-speed manual transmission
is standard on Ram 4500 and 5500
Chassis Cab models.
The 2012 Ram Chassis Cab also
features customer-selectable maxi-
mum speeds of 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75
mph. According to the manufacturer,
Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab
trucks have a best-in-class standard
87 mph top speed. A fi ve-minute
shutdown timer is also available. BF
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EXECUTIVE SHOWROOM
UPGRADES ACROSS THE BOARDFORD FOCUS
The redesigned Focus costs
more than its prior-gener-
ation model, but the 2012
was built to compete with upscale
counterparts such as the Honda
Civic, Mazda3 and VW Golf. That
means more standard features and
across-the-board upgrades in de-
sign, performance and technology.
Available as a four-door sedan or
fi ve-door hatchback, the new Focus
has parted ways with the hyper-
futuristic headlights and fenders
that helped it stand out upon its in-
troduction in 1999. The new, more
understated body sits atop a frame
that has been tuned to deliver bet-
ter turning and traction and reduce
understeer; aided in part by a new,
electric power steering system.
The new Focus’ interior features
upgraded materials throughout and
a cockpit-style dash, gauge cluster
and center console. Each model
is available with the latest edition
of Ford’s SYNC, which replaces
knob-and-button controls with
the MyFord Touch LCD-screen
interface. The cabin’s fi t and fi n-
ish, paired with the new technology,
raises the driver experience to a level
of sophistication approaching near-
luxury brands.
Ford currently offers seven models
ranging from the base “S” sedan to
the “Titanium” hatch, each equipped
with a 2.0-liter I-4 that delivers 155
horsepower at 145 lb.-ft. of torque.
The new Focus actually reaches its
peak fuel effi ciency with an automat-
ic transmission. The new, six-speed
transmission delivers 27 mpg city
and 37 mpg highway, while the S and
SE’s fi ve-speed manual gets 26/36.
That’s good enough for a combined
fuel economy improvement of 10
percent over the 2011 model.
Dual-stage front airbags and side
and canopy airbags come standard,
along with standard electronic sta-
bility control and anti-lock brakes.
Optional added safety features
include active park assist and an
available rearview camera.
Fleet managers may be put off
by the new Focus’ higher price, but
the starting MSRP of $16,500 still
places it below the three competi-
tors listed above.
Ford will launch the Focus Elec-
tric in late 2011, the automaker’s
fi rst all-electric offering and one of
fi ve new electrifi ed vehicles avail-
able by 2013. Ford says the Focus
Electric will offer a mile-per-gallon
equivalent better than Chevrolet
Volt, while a full recharge is ex-
pected to take three to four hours
at home with a 240-volt charge sta-
tion — half the charge time of the
Nissan Leaf.
Standard engine: 2.0L I-4, 140 hp
Transmission/drive: 6-speed automatic,
5-speed manual
Cargo space (cu. ft. max.): 13.2
Fuel tank capacity (gal.): 12.4
EPA fuel economy rating (city/highway mpg): 26/36
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM26 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
BF0711showroom.indd 26BF0711showroom.indd 26 7/14/11 8:53:58 AM7/14/11 8:53:58 AM
BF0711showroom.indd 27BF0711showroom.indd 27 7/14/11 8:54:00 AM7/14/11 8:54:00 AM
EXECUTIVE SHOWROOM
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM28 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
CONSERVATIVE STYLING BELIES POWER, PEPBMW 5 SERIES
Designers of the new-
for-2011 BMW 528i, 535i
and 550i sedans borrowed
several parts — and even some
size — from the full-size 7 Se-
ries. Each edition utilizes the same
eight-speed automatic transmission
(although six-speed stick is still an
option on the 535i and 550i, ex-
cluding their all-wheel “xDrive”
editions), front suspension and
all-electric steering, and is a few
inches longer and wider.
Perhaps most notably, the 550i
is now driven by the bigger ve-
hicle’s turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8.
The 528i and 535i employ BMW’s
240-horsepower, 3.0-liter straight
six. The manufacturer announced
in July that the 2012 528i, due
to hit showrooms this fall, will
be equipped with a turbocharged
four-cylinder engine. The manu-
facturer says that change will de-
liver a 15 percent boost in fuel
economy without giving away any
horsepower.
The I-6 and V-8 top out at 32
and 22 mpg, better than average for
the class and good enough to earn
the EPA’s “SmartWay” designation
for the 528i. But drivability remains
the paramount concern for 5 Series
buyers, and Business Fleet’s 550i
press vehicle provided an excep-
tionally smooth, quiet ride. The 300
pounds it gained since the 2010-MY
didn’t seem to affect straight-line
speed or cornering.
The prior generation’s much-
discussed “fl ame surfacing” design
concept is gone, as is the wagon
option, at least in the United States.
The new look is more traditional,
but not boxy, and the sedan actual-
ly leans back slightly. That stance,
paired with a smiling façade, sets
the 5 Series apart from its aggres-
sively posed contemporaries.
The 5 Series also gives its com-
petitors a run for their money in
style points. With a clean, sophis-
ticated look and standard leather
throughout, the interior is, in a
word, beautiful. The subdued look
belies a long list of standard and
optional features; among them,
rear- and side-view cameras, auto-
matic parallel parking, eight-way
power seats, rear-seat entertain-
ment, heads-up driver display and
more. One knock is less trunk
space, some of which appears to
have been allocated to the rear-seat
legroom.
Priced between $45,050 and
$62,500, the new 5 Series offers a
wide range of models and options
for the discerning fl eet buyer.
Standard engine: 3.0L I-6, 240 hp (528i, 535i);
4.4L V-8, 400 hp (550i)
Transmission/drive: 8-speed automatic,
6-speed manual, rear- or all-wheel drive
Cargo space (cu. ft. max.): 14.0
Fuel tank capacity (gal.): 18.5
EPA fuel economy rating (city/highway mpg):
22/32 (I-6 max.), 15/22 (V-8 max.)
BF0711showroom.indd 28BF0711showroom.indd 28 7/14/11 8:54:00 AM7/14/11 8:54:00 AM
EXECUTIVE SHOWROOM
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM JULY/AUGUST 2011 29BUSINESS FLEET
MORE POWER, MORE EFFICIENCY, MORE STYLEAUDI A8
For its major overhaul since
2004, Audi rebuilt the A8 to
contend with the demands of
today’s luxury-car driver: plenty
of power, advanced technical inter-
face, good looks and, last but not
least, some semblance of fuel ef-
fi ciency.
Engineers found more mpg with
a lighter curb weight and a new
powerplant. The weight loss is due
in no small part to continued refi ne-
ments to the A8’s aluminum frame,
a feature that remains unique to the
segment since its introduction in the
mid-90s. The 17 percent improve-
ment in fuel effi ciency is thanks
partly to a new engine, which
boasts greater effi ciency despite
increased horsepower and torque
over the prior-generation V-8.
Most of the credit, however,
belongs to a new, fi nely tuned,
eight-speed automatic Tiptronic
transmission. The same tranny is
mated to the stretched-out A8L’s
12-cylinder. The L’s longer wheel-
base managed to improve its own
fuel effi ciency by 12 percent despite
a signifi cant boost in horsepower.
All that drivability would be reck-
less without safety measures, which
the new A8 has in spades. Some, such
as standard all-wheel drive, advanced
electronic stability control and brake-
assisting systems, were designed to
prevent collisions. Others are meant
to mitigate injury when crashes oc-
cur, not the least of which is a frame
designed to channel the forces of im-
pact away from passengers.
Audi’s technicians continue to
refi ne their MMI user interface,
migrating several controls from
the prior generation’s still-present
joystick controller to a series of
touchscreen menus. That change
includes wireless Internet, music
and climate control, etc., as well as
the ability to drive navigation and
other text-dependent applications
by writing on the screen with your
fi nger. Seriously.
The redesigned exterior leans
toward a more aggressive stance
without diverging too wildly from
the prior-generation design. The
fenders are more muscular and the
tail raised, but the new A3’s look is
actually somewhat more subdued
than its predecessor’s, especially
in the more serene expression con-
veyed by the front grille.
Starting at just under $80,000,
this vehicle remains out of reach for
most fl eet managers. But for those
seeking a high-end sedan with all
the extras, the A8 must remain on
the short list of contenders.
Standard engine: 4.2L V-8, 372 hp
Optional engine: 6.3L W-12, 500 hp
Transmission/drive: 8-speed automatic,
all-wheel drive
Cargo space (cu. ft. max.): 13.2
Fuel tank capacity (gal.): 23.8
EPA fuel economy rating (city/highway mpg): 17/27
BF0711showroom.indd 29BF0711showroom.indd 29 7/14/11 8:54:02 AM7/14/11 8:54:02 AM
LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS
MAKE/MODEL ENG
INE
POWERED BY
EPA
MPG
TOTA
L FUEL
CO
ST:
6
0,00
0 M
ILES
TOTA
L ES
T.
M
AIN
TEN
AN
CE
CO
ST
ACQ
UIS
. CO
ST
(I
NCLU
DES
DES
TIN
ATIO
N)
TOTA
L AC
TUAL
D
EPREC
IATI
ON
CO
ST P
ER
M
ILE
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM30 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
COMPACT CARS
2011 FORD FOCUS S 2.0L4 25/34 8166 1490 16158 9908 0.3261
2011 TOYOTA COROLLA BASE 1.8L4 26/34 7970 1481 15458 9358 0.3135
2011 NISSAN SENTRA BASE 2.0L4 27/34 7788 1746 16287 9137 0.3112
2011 HONDA CIVIC DX 1.8L4 25/36 7996 1464 16720 9770 0.3205
2011 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 1.3L4 40/43 5612 1682 23753 13128 0.3404
2010 HONDA CIVIC CNG GX 1.8L4 24/36 4536 1464 24322 16622 0.3770
2011 TOYOTA MATRIX BASE 1.8L4 25/32 8358 1610 18280 10680 0.3441
2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE 1FL 1.4L4 25/30 8575 1485 17880 9680 0.3290
2011 DODGE CALIBER EXPRESS 2.0L4 23/32 8801 1314 15734 9784 0.3317
2011 MAZDA3 I SPORT 2.0L4 24/33 8472 2145 16738 8488 0.3184
2011 CHEVROLET VOLT 1.4L3 35/40 4012 1894 39388 21938 0.4641
2011 TOYOTA PRIUS I 1.8L4 51/48 4672 1848 21028 10728 0.2875
INTERMEDIATE CARS
2011 DODGE CHARGER RALLYE 3.6L6 18/27 10944 1970 26130 17030 0.4991
2011 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5I 2.5L4 20/26 10385 3323 18376 9626 0.3889
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS FLEET 2.4L4 22/33 8954 1888 20712 12712 0.3926
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA S 2.0L4 23/29 9138 1692 15931 9431 0.3377
2011 CHRYSLER 200 LX 2.4L4 21/30 9546 2064 19735 13235 0.4141
2011 HONDA ACCORD LX 2.4L4 23/34 8610 1674 21297 11497 0.3630
2011 NISSAN ALTIMA BASE 2.5L4 23/32 8801 2423 18828 10328 0.3592
2011 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2.5L4 35/33 6802 2352 25866 16291 0.4241
2011 TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.5L4 22/32 9053 1524 20388 10838 0.3569
2011 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 2.4L4 31/35 7092 1524 24503 12953 0.3595
2011 FORD FUSION S 2.5L4 23/33 8702 1758 18987 10787 0.3541
2011 MAZDA6 I SPORT 2.5L4 22/31 9158 2256 19450 11250 0.3777
INTERMEDIATE 2
2011 SUBARU LEGACY BASE 2.5L4 23/31 8906 2913 20569 9869 0.3615
2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT KOMFORT 2.0L4 22/31 9832 2404 22476 12926 0.4194
2011 FORD TAURUS SE 3.5L6 18/28 10806 2213 23173 11023 0.4007
2011 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS FLEET 3.5L6 18/29 10678 1844 21773 14673 0.4532
2011 BUICK LACROSSE CX 2.4L4 19/30 10185 2258 26165 13415 0.4310
2011 TOYOTA AVALON BASE 3.5L6 20/29 9970 1773 29096 14446 0.4365
2011 NISSAN MAXIMA S 3.5L6 19/26 11509 2234 27990 13140 0.4481
2011 CHRYSLER 300 BASE 3.6L6 18/27 10944 1836 26047 16847 0.4938
2011 SUBARU OUTBACK BASE 2.5L4 22/29 9390 2939 23491 10141 0.3745
ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY CARS
2011 SAAB 9-3 BASE 2.0L4 21/31 9434 1767 30203 21303 0.5417
2011 LEXUS ES 350 3.5L6 19/27 11350 2395 35094 16194 0.4990
2011 LINCOLN MKZ BASE 3.5L6 18/27 10944 1033 30472 18822 0.5133
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BF0711lifecycle.indd 30BF0711lifecycle.indd 30 7/14/11 8:48:34 AM7/14/11 8:48:34 AM
LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS
MAKE/MODEL ENG
INE
POWERED BY
EPA
MPG
TOTA
L FUEL
CO
ST:
6
0,00
0 M
ILES
TOTA
L ES
T.
M
AIN
TEN
AN
CE
CO
ST
ACQ
UIS
. CO
ST
(I
NCLU
DES
DES
TIN
ATIO
N)
TOTA
L AC
TUAL
D
EPREC
IATI
ON
CO
ST P
ER
M
ILE
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM JULY/AUGUST 2011 31BUSINESS FLEET
ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY CARS
2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS C300 3.0L6 18/25 12082 2892 30986 13236 0.4702
2011 CADILLAC CTS 3.0 3.0L6 18/27 10944 1166 34249 18549 0.5110
2011 VOLVO S40 T5 2.5L5 21/30 9546 912 25460 14710 0.4195
2011 VOLVO S60 T6 3.0L6 18/26 11093 1039 35813 20613 0.5457
2011 AUDI A4 2.0T PREMIUM 2.0L4 22/30 9953 2938 29588 14088 0.4497
FULL-SIZE LUXURY CARS
2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR EXECUTIVE 4.6L8 16/24 12312 1087 39084 26984 0.6731
2011 CADILLAC DTS 4.6L8 15/23 13032 1091 42032 25932 0.6676
2011 BUICK LUCERNE CX 3.9L6 17/26 11509 2286 27305 16255 0.5008
PRESTIGE LUXURY CARS
2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 3.5L6 17/24 12715 4154 44817 21817 0.6448
2011 CADILLAC STS 3.6L6 18/27 10944 1118 43054 27554 0.6603
2011 VOLVO S80 3.2 3.2L6 18/27 10944 1011 34296 19296 0.5209
2011 BMW 528i 3.0L6 22/32 9720 1705 38860 19960 0.5231
2011 AUDI A6 3.0 PREMIUM 3.0L6 18/26 11909 3192 45561 21611 0.6119
2011 LEXUS GS 450H 3.5L6 22/25 10699 2946 56206 27106 0.6792
ULTRA LUXURY CARS
2011 MERCEDES-BENZ S550 5.5L8 15/23 13992 3516 89350 46250 1.0626
2011 LEXUS LS 460 BASE 4.6L8 16/24 13219 3046 64087 31487 0.7959
2011 AUDI A8 BASE 4.2L8 17/27 12197 3748 72462 35262 0.8535
2011 LEXUS LS 600H L 5.0L8 19/23 12071 2906 107934 54934 1.1652
MEDIUM PICKUPS
2011 FORD RANGER XL 2.3L4 19/24 11054 1645 17130 10480 0.3863
2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO W/T 2.9L4 18/25 11253 1573 16607 9682 0.3751
2011 GMC CANYON W/T 2.9L4 18/25 11253 1518 15673 9848 0.3770
2011 DODGE DAKOTA ST 3.7L6 15/20 13713 1741 19240 10940 0.4399
2011 TOYOTA TACOMA BASE 2.7L4 19/25 10881 1389 16417 7417 0.3281
FULL-SIZE PICKUPS
2011 FORD F150 XL 3.7L6 15/19 13987 2045 19560 9885 0.4319
2011 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 W/T 4.3L6 15/20 13713 1809 18511 9261 0.4130
2011 DODGE RAM 1500 ST 3.7L6 14/20 14320 2222 18280 9105 0.4274
2011 TOYOTA TUNDRA BASE 4.6L8 15/20 13713 1922 21851 10526 0.4360
2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 W/T 4.3L6 15/20 13713 2207 18511 9261 0.4197
MINIVANS
2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN BASE 3.6L6 17/25 11670 2050 20278 12853 0.4429
2011 CHRYSLER TOWN&COUNTRY TOUR 3.6L6 17/25 11670 2006 27946 17596 0.5212
2011 TOYOTA SIENNA BASE 2.7L4 19/24 11054 2467 23274 12324 0.4308
2010 MAZDA5 2.3L4 21/27 9933 2326 18477 12277 0.4089
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BF0711lifecycle.indd 31BF0711lifecycle.indd 31 7/14/11 8:48:34 AM7/14/11 8:48:34 AM
BF0511greenflt_conf.indd 1 5/5/11 11:15:59 AM
LIFECYCLE ANALYSIS
MAKE/MODEL ENG
INE
EPA
MPG
TOTA
L FUEL
CO
ST:
6
0,00
0 M
ILES
TOTA
L ES
T.
M
AIN
TEN
AN
CE
CO
ST
ACQ
UIS
. CO
ST
(I
NCLU
DES
DES
TIN
ATIO
N)
TOTA
L AC
TUAL
D
EPREC
IATI
ON
CO
ST P
ER
M
ILE
POWERED BY
■ FUEL EXPENSES CALCULATED AT WEIGHTED AVERAGE FUEL PRICE OF $3.67/GALLON REGULAR UNLEADED AND $3.94/GALLON PREMIUM UNLEADED, AS OF 6/27/11.
■ CNG PRICE CALCULATED AT $2.03/GALLON.
■ ACQUISITION COSTS ARE BASED ON INVOICE LESS FLEET INCENTIVES, IF ANY.
■ DEPRECIATION BASED ON ACQUISITION COST LESS EXPECTED RESALE VALUE AT 36 MONTHS, 60,000 MILES.
■ LIFECYCLE COST DATA ©2011 VINCENTRIC LLC. VINCENTRIC CALCULATES UPDATED LIFECYCLE COST INFORMATION EACH MONTH FOR OVER 1,900 VEHICLE CONFIGURATIONS PER MODEL YEAR.
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM32 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
FULL-SIZE VANS
2011 FORD E-150 CARGO 4.6L8 13/17 15940 2623 23585 14835 0.5566
2011 CHEVROLET EXPRESS G1500 4.3L6 15/20 13713 2150 22599 13799 0.4944
2011 GMC SAVANA G1500 5.3L8 13/17 15940 2284 26180 16555 0.5797
COMPACT SUVS
2011 SUBARU FORESTER X 2.5L4 21/27 9933 2960 21213 10463 0.3893
2011 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT 3.7L6 16/22 12707 1830 20843 10893 0.4238
2011 FORD ESCAPE XLS 2.5L4 21/28 9795 1761 19382 10307 0.3644
2011 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2.5L4 34/31 7113 1761 28606 15556 0.4072
2011 JEEP COMPASS BASE 2.0L4 23/29 9138 1574 18162 10262 0.3496
2011 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LS 2.4L4 22/32 9053 1823 21852 11327 0.3700
2011 FORD EDGE SE 3.5L6 18/25 11253 2000 25083 12508 0.4293
2011 MAZDA CX-7 I SV 2.5L4 20/28 10098 2366 20716 10566 0.3838
MID-SIZE SUVS
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER BASE 3.5L6 18/24 11427 1847 26259 10634 0.3985
2011 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 3.5L6 28/28 8277 1829 34551 12801 0.3818
2011 FORD EXPEDITION XL 5.4L8 14/20 14320 2069 32535 17710 0.5683
2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO 3.6L6 16/23 12501 2142 28491 16091 0.5122
2011 SUBARU TRIBECA PREMIUM 3.6L6 16/21 12933 3462 29360 13260 0.4942
2011 MAZDA CX-9 SPORT 3.7L6 17/24 11844 2432 26278 11278 0.4259
2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SPORT 3.6L6 16/23 13421 3146 39093 20643 0.6202
LARGE SUVS
2011 FORD EXPEDITION XL 5.4L8 14/20 14320 2069 32535 17710 0.5683
2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE COMM 5.3L8 15/21 13464 2267 32794 15219 0.5158
2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID 6.0L8 21/22 10810 2123 46894 23494 0.6071
2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 COMM 5.3L8 15/21 13464 2267 35914 17839 0.5595
2011 GMC YUKON COMM 5.3L8 14/20 14320 2315 32869 14619 0.5209
2011 GMC YUKON HYBRID 6.0L8 20/23 10908 2211 47334 23984 0.6184
2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 4.6L8 14/19 14594 2092 36404 16054 0.5457
LUXURY SUVS
2011 GMC YUKON HYBRID DENALI 6.0L8 20/23 10908 2487 54246 25571 0.6494
2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 5.4L8 11/16 18106 1347 51074 27499 0.7825
2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE BASE 6.2L8 14/18 14899 1077 58004 26804 0.7130
2011 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 3.5L6 16/21 13885 3763 41111 16211 0.5643
2011 BMW X5 XDRIVE35i 3.0L6 15/21 14455 1981 39010 7910 0.4058
2011 VOLVO XC90 3.2 3.2L6 16/22 12707 1203 35471 15921 0.4972
2011 LEXUS RX 350 3.5L6 18/25 12082 2612 36600 15050 0.4957
2011 AUDI Q7 3.0 PREMIUM 3.0L6 16/22 13643 3648 41877 15477 0.5461
2011 LEXUS RX 450H HYBRID 3.5L6 32/28 8275 2361 42287 17537 0.4696
2011 VOLVO XC60 3.2 3.2L6 18/24 11427 1071 30801 12451 0.4158
2011 VOLVO XC70 3.2 3.2L6 18/25 11253 955 29596 13796 0.4334
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BF0711lifecycle.indd 32BF0711lifecycle.indd 32 7/14/11 8:48:36 AM7/14/11 8:48:36 AM
For more information, please visit us at www.GreenFleetConference.com
or call (800) 576 - 8788.
OCTOBER 3-4, 2011Gaylord Texan • Grapevine, TXThe Green Fleet Conference & Expo is the only event which focuses
exclusively on environmental sustainability for car and truck fl eets. Others may
touch on the subject but Green Fleet Conference & Expo specializes in
it, offering two intense, concentrated days of education, enterprising dialogue
and engaging exhibits. If you are a fl eet manager in either the corporate or
government arena, make room in your calendar for this must-attend event!
PAST SPONSORS INCLUDE:
Supporting Organization
GFC04-51.11
BF0511greenflt_conf.indd 1 5/5/11 11:15:59 AMBF0711lifecycle.indd 33BF0711lifecycle.indd 33 7/14/11 8:48:41 AM7/14/11 8:48:41 AM
AF1010jobfinder.indd 1 9/21/10 9:04:40 AM
INDEX
CITY GAS DIESEL
ATLANTA, GA $3.601 $3.906
BOSTON, MA $3.778 $4.054
CHICAGO, IL $4.089 $4.068
DALLAS, TX $3.540 $3.836
DENVER, CO $3.614 $3.954
DETROIT, MI $3.844 $4.030
HOUSTON, TX $3.520 $3.772
LOS ANGELES, CA $3.956 $4.334
MEMPHIS, TN $3.467 $3.838
MIAMI, FL $3.748 $3.961
MINNEAPOLIS, MN $3.645 $3.965
NEW ORLEANS, LA $3.461 $3.771
PHILADELPHIA, PA $3.747 $4.117
PHOENIX, AZ $3.549 $3.915
PORTLAND, OR $3.840 $3.910
SAN FRANCISCO, CA $4.020 $4.441
SEATTLE, WA $3.919 $4.282
ST. LOUIS, MO $3.519 $3.782
WASHINGTON, DC $3.973 $4.183
NATIONAL AVERAGE $ 3.653 $3.931
GAS PRICES BREAK TWO-MONTH LOSING STREAK
The spring rally that caused U.S. gasoline prices to peak
at $3.985 per gallon in the fi rst week of May gave way to price levels of $3.54 per gallon in late June; however, strength in Midwestern markets lifted the average toward $3.57 per gallon at press time. Gasoline demand during the fi rst half of 2011 was essentially on par with 2010 levels. However, U.S. consum-ers paid about $50 billion more for their gasoline thanks to the higher prices. Diesel street prices have drifted down to about $3.90 per gallon and is expected to outperform gas in July and August, thanks to a robust export market.
COMPANY PHONE WEB PAGE
Adrian Steel 800-677-2726 adriansteel.com/roadredi 25
BMW 855-273-4802 bmwusa.com/fl eet 8-9
BusinessLink 877-2THELINK dodge.com/businesslink 17
Fleet Job Finder • fl eetjobfi nder.com 35
Ford Customer Service • fordparts.com C3
Ford Motor Co. 800-34-FLEET fl eet.ford.com C2-1
GMAC Smart Auction 877-273-5572 smartauction.biz 23
Green Fleet Conference 2011 800-576-8788 greenfl eetconference.com 33
Mazda • mazdausa.com/fl eet 14-15
Morse Watchmans 800-423-8256 morsewatchmans.com 7
Nissan Fleet Vehicles • nissanfl eetvehicles.com 27
Sears Auto Center 877-NOW-AUTO searsautocommercial.com 3
Subaru 800-879-8233 subaru.com 5
Verizon Wireless 800-VZW-4BIZ verizonwireless.com/transportation C4
Volvo 877-283-5338 volvocars.com 18-19
FUEL REPORT RETAIL FUEL PRICES AS OF JUNE 2011
AVERAGE NATIONALPRICE PER GALLON TREND
SOURCE: WRIGHT EXPRESS, 97 DARLING AVE., SOUTH PORTLAND, ME 04106, WWW.WRIGHTEXPRESS.COM, OR (800) 395-0812
JULY/AUGUST ADVERTISERS
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM34 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
$4.00
$3.75
$3.50
$3.25
$3.00
$2.75
$2.50
$2.25
$2.00
$1.75
$1.50
$1.25
GASDIESEL
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011
$2.97 $3.16 $3.53 $3.78 $3.89 $3.65 $3.24 $3.54 $3.89 $4.07 $4.06 $3.93
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Think the grass is greener somewhere else?
It just might be
Search for jobs in your fi eld at www.fl eetjobfi nder.com
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REVVING UP
Meeting the needs
of small fl eets
that traditionally
buy out of dealer stock
is increasingly becom-
ing a challenge, accord-
ing to the dealers who
service them. “Now that
business is better, there
isn’t any inventory,” says
one multifranchise fl eet
dealer. “We’re going to
have one long, dry sum-
mer when it comes to
new vehicles to sell.”
That dealer used to
carry 1,200 units of total
inventory but is now
down to about 250 new
cars and trucks. “We’d
rather have more inven-
tory, but we can’t get
[the units],” he says.
On the demand side,
this has not been a
problem until recently.
“In the last year or two,
it’s been a very negative
atmosphere going out
and knocking on doors,”
says one Florida Chevro-
let dealer. “The response
was, ‘Look out back, I
have 12 empty trucks.
Can you give me a buy
fi gure on them?’”
A lot of those compa-
nies eventually went out
of business. The ones
that survived cut back
from 10 to 25 trucks to
six or seven, he says.
On the supply side,
manufacturers are work-
ing through the Japan
supply crunch and up-
ping capacity on some
hot vehicles. However,
in the post-recession
economy and with a
smaller factory footprint,
manufacturers are no
longer building an excess
of vehicles and then
fi guring out a way to sell
them. Dealers say that
manufacturers have been
uncharacteristically quiet
about capacities for the
2012 model year.
“Until manufacturers
know for an absolute
fact that business will
be better, they won’t
increase production,”
predicts one dealer. “And
for the dealers who took
their inventories down
to nothing, it’s going to
be a long trip back to a
full lot.”
On top of that, order-
to-delivery times (OTDs)
have been elongated
in the supply shortage.
One large fl eet dealer’s
balance sheet reveals that
OTDs have gone from
eight to 10 weeks to 14
to 18 weeks, which has
only further aggravated
in-stock inventory issues.
Sparse inventories and
long OTDs will be tough
on those companies that
delayed replacements in
the recession. Dealers re-
port that companies, that
were retiring work ve-
hicles at fi ve or six years
and 120,000 to 150,000
miles, are now turning
them at seven or eight
years and 200,000 miles.
It’s becoming a main-
tenance issue. “They’re
learning that they should
have replaced sooner,”
says the Florida dealer.
“They are fi nding out
they need to replace en-
gines and transmissions
that they never had to do
before.”
“One customer told
me if he had just gotten
rid of the two or three
vehicles that cost him
the huge repair bills he
could have gotten two
new vehicles,” says one
dealer.
And now the sup-
ply shortage is coming
face-to-face with a slow,
steady ramp up in small
business demand. Ser-
vice and repair industries
— such as HVAC, pest
control, landscaping and
electrical contractors
— are coming around
as “people are fi nally
having stuff fi xed,” says
one dealer.
New home construc-
tion, however, is lagging,
which has kept a lid on
a key business segment:
pickup truck sales.
Right now, dealers are
reporting 116- to 120-
day supplies of pickup
trucks at the domestic
manufacturers. Pickup
truck plants are being
shut down temporarily
to address the shortage.
Some trucks have rebates
of $4,500 to move them.
It’s a good time to buy
or lease pickups if your
company is in a position
to do so.
The pickup truck mar-
ket may be changing in
this era of austerity, high
fuel prices and utiliza-
tion of vehicles more for
their functionality than
their image. “It’s pretty
obvious that pickup
trucks are becoming a
commercial commodity
and are no longer being
bought by the average
retail buyer,” says one of
our dealers.
Allowing manufac-
turers to focus pickup
specs, options and sales
on the work truck market
is good news. To the
“air haulers” leaving the
market, fl eets say, good
riddance! BF
Need Fleet? Get in LineFor small fl eets ramping up in the recovery, replacing work vehicles will be diffi cult with tight dealer inventories — unless you’re looking for pickups. BY CHRIS BROWN
WWW.BUSINESSFLEET.COM36 BUSINESS FLEET JULY/AUGUST 2011
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