Automotive Fleet

How are global trends in artificial intelligence, electrification, and autonomous technology shaping the future of fleet management?

In this Fleet Forward Conference 2026 session, industry experts explore how developments around the world are influencing fleet operations in the U.S. From AI-driven routing and predictive maintenance to evolving energy strategies and vehicle technology, the discussion examines what fleet managers should be preparing for now.

The conversation also features real-world insights from Linda Ellis, fleet lead at UCB Pharmaceuticals, who shares lessons learned from managing electrification across multiple countries, balancing corporate sustainability goals with operational realities, and using fleet data to guide decisions.

Tune in to learn how fleet professionals can navigate changing technology, manage costs, improve safety, and build more flexible, data-driven fleet strategies for the future.

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What does the next evolution of fleet management look like as autonomous vehicles move closer to widespread deployment?

During the 2026 Fleet Forward Conference (FFC), industry leaders from Element Fleet Management and Inspiration Mobility Group discuss how autonomous technology is reshaping fleet operations and what fleet managers should know as the industry evolves.

The session, "The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations," explores the operational challenges and opportunities associated with autonomous vehicles, from robotaxi fleets to maintenance, charging infrastructure, and vehicle utilization.

In this session:

• How autonomous vehicles are changing traditional fleet management

• The operational needs of robotaxi and autonomous vehicle fleets

• Why charging, maintenance, and infrastructure planning are critical

• How fleet management companies can support autonomous operations

• What the future of autonomous fleet management could mean for commercial fleets

Watch the full FFC 2026 session for insights into the technologies, partnerships, and operational strategies shaping the future of fleet management.

#FleetForward2026 #FleetManagement #AutonomousVehicles

Could the key to lowering your fleet’s total cost of ownership already be sitting in your parking lot? 

Watch the full webinar, “Fleet Strategy 2026: How to Navigate Uncertainty Without Adding Cost”: 

https://www.automotive-fleet.com/webinars/fleet-strategy-2026-how-to-navigate-uncertainty-without-adding-cost?sti=podcast  

With vehicle acquisition, fuel, maintenance, and operating costs remaining unpredictable, fleet managers need more than a traditional approach to TCO. In this episode, we explore why utilization should play a bigger role in fleet strategy and how right-sizing the vehicles already in service can create meaningful savings. 

Featuring insights from Landon McKay, senior fleet consultant at Merchants Fleet, and Joe Coffey, manager of FleetShare Operations at Merchants Fleet, this episode covers: 

• The hidden costs of underutilized and aging vehicles 

• How over-fleeting can drive up total cost of ownership 

• When vehicle pools, reassignment, and short-term rentals make sense 

• How one fleet reduced rental spending by $300,000 

• How technology, telematics, and automation improve fleet visibility 

• Practical first steps for building a utilization strategy 

• How right-sizing can help fleets absorb market volatility without sacrificing productivity 

This episode highlights some of the webinar’s biggest takeaways and includes clips from the original conversation. Watch the complete presentation for additional examples, utilization models, FleetShare insights, and the full audience Q&A. 

Learn more about Merchants Fleet: https://www.merchantsfleet.com/ 

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As fleets collect more data than ever, AI could give fleet managers a faster way to turn that information into actionable decisions — but knowing how to ask the right questions will be critical.In this interview, Chris Brown speaks with Bradley Northrup of the City of Carlsbad, Calif., about the potential for artificial intelligence to transform fleet management. Northrup oversees a municipal fleet of nearly 500 vehicles with a team of about 10 and sees opportunities for AI to help fleet professionals analyze data, build reports, identify anomalies, respond to unexpected questions, and ultimately get more from their existing resources.Northrup also explains why AI adoption isn’t as simple as adding another software tool. Fleets need clean, connected data — and fleet managers need to understand their systems well enough to ask precise questions and validate the answers they receive. As these tools mature, he sees AI enhancing existing fleet roles, improving technician productivity, supporting regulatory analysis, and giving teams greater capacity to tackle the growing demands of fleet operations.🧭Topics Discussed:• How AI can help fleet managers analyze large amounts of data• Using AI to answer questions that traditional reports can't• Why clean, connected fleet data is critical for AI• The growing importance of prompt engineering for fleet managers• Finding errors and anomalies in fleet asset data• Using AI to improve technician productivity and vehicle availability• How AI could enhance fleet jobs rather than simply replace them• Breaking down new fleet regulations with AI toolsMore from Automotive Fleet:Website - https://www.automotive-fleet.com/LinkedIn -   / automotive-fleet  Facebook -   / automotivefleet  

Vehicle uptime has become one of the biggest competitivedifferentiators in fleet management. In this episode of Automotive Fleet on the Move, Darren Bradshaw, senior vice president of Mopar North America, discusses how Stellantis is using connected vehicle technology, vehicle healthreports, AI, and remote diagnostics to help fleets minimize downtime and improve the service experience.

Bradshaw also shares why predictive maintenance remains anevolving capability, how Mopar is investing in parts distribution and automation, and why better coordination between fleets, dealers, and OEMs is essential to keeping vehicles on the road.

As fleets adopt telematics, connected vehicles, AI, andelectrification, managing data is becoming a discipline of its own. Rather than expecting fleet managers to analyze multiple software platforms while overseeing day-to-day operations, some organizations are creating dedicatedfleet analytics roles to translate data into actionable decisions.

In this edition of Automotive Fleet on the Move,Chris Brown speaks with Reed Jackson, fleet analyst for Dallas County, about how his newly created role supports the county's fleet strategy. Jackson discusses how telematics data is helping evaluate EV deployment, identify charging infrastructure needs, improve safety, and better understand vehicle utilization.

He also explains why integrating data across fleetmanagement systems will become increasingly important as AI tools mature and fleets look to make faster, more informed decisions.

Fleet operations generate thousands of transactions every month, but data alone does not drive results. Ramel Lindsay, vice president and sales leader for US Bank Voyager, explains how fleet leaders can move beyond spreadsheets and raw transaction reports to uncover meaningful insights, identify cost-saving opportunities, and communicate performance more effectively to senior leadership.

🚗 Check out Automotive Fleet's site! ⁠https://www.automotive-fleet.com/⁠⁠#automotivefleet

#fuelcards #fuelmanagement

As fleet management becomes more strategic, Union Leasing is entering a new chapter with its rebrand to Moventum.In this edition of the State of the Fleet Industry video series, Automotive Fleet speaks with Moventum President Mark Hogland about the company’s transition from Union Leasing to Moventum and what the rebrand means for clients, employees, and the future of fleet management. Hogland explains how the company’s expanded capabilities, employee-owned structure, and focus on lifecycle fleet management are shaping its next phase of growth.Throughout the conversation, Hogland discusses how fleet management companies are evolving beyond transactional services to become strategic business partners focused on utilization, total cost of ownership (TCO), maintenance management, and long-term business performance. He also shares how Moventum plans to maintain its relationship-driven, high-touch service model while continuing to scale and invest in technology, systems, and employee ownership.🧭Topics Discussed:

• Why Union Leasing rebranded to Moventum Fleet Management

• How fleet management is becoming more strategic

• The meaning behind the Moventum name

• How employee ownership is shaping company growth

• Why lifecycle fleet management matters more than ever

• Supporting fleets from acquisition through remarketing

• The importance of long-term client relationships in fleet

• Future growth and innovation plans for Moventum🚗 Check it out on AF! https://www.automotive-fleet.com/news...#automotivefleet #fleetmanagement #strategy #mobility

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 across the U.S. Victory discusses how NOV navigates maintenance complexity, DOT compliance, and telematics deployment across more than 150 locations.Victory explains how the company uses Geotab and telematics technology to improve driver behavior, support safety coaching, and better manage regulated commercial vehicles. He also shares how in-cab coaching significantly improved driver performance within weeks and why fleet safety ultimately comes down to ensuring every employee returns home safely.🧭Topics Discussed:

• Managing a fleet across multiple states and jurisdictions

• Balancing maintenance operations across 150+ locations

• Using Element Fleet Management for registration and compliance support

• How NOV uses Geotab for DOT compliance and telematics

• Improving driver safety through in-cab coaching

• Driver reactions to telematics and behavior monitoring

• Using AI and fleet data to improve operations and analysis

• Why fleet safety remains the top operational priority🚗 Check out Automotive Fleet's site! https://www.automotive-fleet.com/#automotivefleet #fleetmanagement #telematics #safety

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.Rather than reacting after the fact, Coca-Cola United focuses on prevention by identifying risks early, reinforcing expectations with drivers, and fostering a culture in which safety is directly tied to protecting the business.Topics Discussed

• Rising litigation risk and “targeted” fleets
• Driver behavior and accountability strategies
• Using technology to reduce exposure
• Building a proactive safety culture
• Preventing incidents before they escalate
• Aligning safety with business protection🚗 Check out Automotive Fleet's site for more! https://www.automotive-fleet.com/#automotivefleet #fleetmanagement #telematics #safety