Fleet News Group

A new EV brand arrives in Australia every few weeks, and plenty of them undercut Hyundai on price. So how does an established brand win fleet business when it isn't the cheapest?Get the weekly Fleet News Group newsletter: https://bit.ly/47Bc1UIMotoring journalist Neerav Bhatt guest hosts this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast, speaking with Akshat Ahuja, Senior Manager, Fleet at Hyundai Australia, about whole-of-life cost, dealer support, novated leasing and how the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is shaping Hyundai's range. They also talk about strong fleet interest in the Staria Hybrid and what's coming with the electric Staria.They cover:- Why Akshat says fleets should look past the sticker price, pointing to 168 dealers, regional fleet managers, local testing and an eight-year battery warranty.- Hyundai Novated Lease powered by Smart, which Hyundai dealers can arrange even when your employer has no novated lease provider.- Why most of Hyundai's sales are now hybrids, and how the brand watches its order mix by powertrain to avoid NVES penalties.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:19 Akshat's first year at Hyundai Australia02:04 How Hyundai answers the flood of new EV brands04:18 What fleets want: trust, dealers and support06:35 Kona Electric and whole-of-life cost08:30 Why a spare wheel still matters09:34 Staria Hybrid and the electric Staria11:54 Vehicle-to-load for tradies12:51 Is the IONIQ 3 coming to Australia?13:51 Five-star ANCAP ratings15:13 Servicing and service packs16:44 Novated leasing and Hyundai's own product18:23 Competing with cheaper Chinese EVs21:57 NVES and the hybrid range24:22 Will brands drop petrol-only models?26:00 Fleet demand for hybrids27:41 Wrap-up and more from Fleet News GroupMORE FROM FLEET NEWS GROUP- Our Hyundai ELEXIO fleet review: https://youtu.be/zfz10l2tQzE- Fleet Auto News: https://fleetautonews.com.au- Fleet EV News: https://fleetevnews.com.au- Fleet HV News: https://fleethvnews.com.au📩 JOIN THE FLEET NEWS GROUP NEWSLETTER (free, weekly):https://bit.ly/47Bc1UI📰 READ THE LATEST FLEET INDUSTRY NEWS:• Fleet Auto News (cars & fleet): https://fleetautonews.com.au/• Fleet EV News (electric): https://fleetevnews.com.au/• Fleet HV News (heavy vehicles): https://fleethvnews.com.au/🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more fleet reviews, whole-of-life-cost analysis and industry insight:https://www.youtube.com/@fleetnewsgroupCONNECT WITH US:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-auto-news• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FleetNewsGroup• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fleet_news_group/ABOUT FLEET NEWS GROUPFleet News Group has been a trusted source of news and information for Australia's fleet and transport industries since 2011, across Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News.

Hino's Australian boss thinks the country is chasing the wrong emissions fix. Richard Emery sat down with Marc Sibbald in the cab of a 700 Series tipper and made the case that electric trucks are a 2029 to 2030 story here, and that waiting for them is costing the industry easier wins now.In this episode:- Why Hino puts electric trucks at 2029 to 2030 for Australia, and why Richard calls the federal focus tunnel vision towards electric- The average Australian truck is roughly 14 years old. Getting that towards 10 would cut emissions and crashes sooner- Hino's Bathurst run put hybrid more than 20% ahead of diesel on fuel, and about 30% with a driver trained to the truck(0:00) Intro(0:20) Driving a truck again after 20 years(4:13) The 700 Series problem Hino had to fix(6:25) A bigger range, and orders tripling(8:55) The 12-speed automated manual(13:53) Ten years with Supercars(15:04) Bathurst: hybrid against diesel(17:24) Fuel prices and the hybrid surge(18:41) Why there is no 700 Series hybrid(22:55) Electric trucks and hydrogen(24:44) Why Hino says 2029 to 2030(26:23) Australia's 14-year-old truck fleet(27:21) Not just tunnel vision towards electric(29:02) Hino Connect and telematics(31:02) The Archion tie-up with Fuso(34:03) The 2026 truck market(36:45) Safety systems you actually notice(41:18) Trucks are not going anywhereRecorded in a moving truck, so you get road noise and a proper conversation rather than a studio set piece.Fleet News Group covers the Australian fleet industry across Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News.Mentioned in this episode:- Hino's hybrid against diesel at Bathurst. This is the test Richard talks through, and the charts we put on screen around the sixteen minute mark: https://youtu.be/1MQIgHF4t-U- Driving the Hino Hybrid Electric 300 Series, Marc's own road test: https://fleethvnews.com.au/test-drive-hino-hybrid-electric/- Hino hybrids in council operations: https://fleethvnews.com.au/hino-electric-hybrid-trucks-deliver-real-world-results-for-council-operations/Subscribe to Fleet News Group: https://bit.ly/4w63LWOFilmed at Hino's 700 Series drive event. Hino provided the vehicle and location. Fleet News Group retained full editorial control.

Fleet reports that took half an hour of dashboard work now take two minutes. Darren Gore, General Manager of Summit Fleet Leasing and Management, explains how Fleet AI Insights answers whole-of-fleet questions in plain language—and why the fleet manager remains the expert directing and checking the AI.

In this episode:

- How five fleet questions became useful answers in minutes

- Why the human still directs and checks every AI result

- Why technology decisions should start with the operational problem

(0:00) Intro

(1:32) Meet Summit Fleet: 30 years, 1.1 million vehicles across APAC

(3:43) Why Summit sponsors the Awards

(5:18) Fleet AI Insights: three years in the making

(8:17) The demo: half an hour of BI answered in two minutes

(10:57) The fleet manager is not being replaced

(12:54) What wins a Fleet Technology Award: start with the problem

(17:58) Awards voting and the October awards night

(19:13) Wrap-up: don't let a good fleet story go untold

Summit Fleet is a Foundation Sponsor of the Fleet News Group Awards. Voting opens in August and

the Awards Night is on 14 October 2026. See the categories and register your interest:

https://fleetnewsgroup.com.au/fleet-news-group-awards/

Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET, Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News: https://bit.ly/4aOSAde

Most fleets cannot see what they really spend on repairs. Shaun Janks, Co-Founder of DingGo, explains how digitising accident management reveals the true cost of repairs—and how benchmarking long-standing repairers cut one fleet's costs by around 20% almost instantly.

In this episode:

- Why repair costs disappear across emails, invoices and insurer data

- How a reliable baseline makes repairer benchmarking possible

- Why competitive tension can reduce costs without abandoning trusted repairers

(0:00) Intro

(1:18) Meet DingGo: digital accident management

(2:47) From handkerchief quotes to one digital platform

(5:15) Most fleets don't know their true repair costs

(6:49) Testing the market: the instant 20% saving

(8:16) Benchmarks, insurers and days off road

(10:39) Why DingGo sponsors the Awards

(12:38) Industry voting and the October awards night

(13:45) Wrap-up: talk to DingGo, vote for the finalists

DingGo is a Foundation Sponsor of the Fleet News Group Awards. Vote for the finalists at fleetnewsgroup.com.au.

Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET, Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News and Fleet HV News: https://bit.ly/4fevf6f

In this episode of the Fleet News Group Podcast, we talk with Louise Azzopardi — life coach, mentor, keynote speaker, and industry ambassador — about how fleet workshops can attract, train, and retain the next generation of mechanics and technicians.

Louise shares her remarkable journey from a 15-year-old apprentice at Cummins South Pacific to becoming the first female Gold Medallist in the Australian National Heavy Vehicle competition and representing Australia with the Skillaroos.

She now helps organisations build better workplace cultures and gives practical advice for fleet managers:

• Using work experience to find talent early

• Creating a shame-free learning environment

• Training leaders to teach, not just supervise

• Embracing diversity as a strength

It’s an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone managing workshops or apprentices.

Stay up to date with ALL THINGS FLEET, Fleet Auto News, Fleet EV News, and Fleet HV News.

#FleetManagement #Workshops #Apprenticeships #Diversity #Training #Leadership

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we sit down with Joe Sofra, CEO of ANC Delivers, to explore the company’s bold journey to electrify last mile deliveries. With a history stretching back over 100 years — from delivering theatre tickets on bicycles to powering today’s e-commerce giants like Bunnings, IKEA, JB Hi-Fi, and Telstra — ANC has built its reputation on innovation and customer experience.

Joe reflects on the landmark 2019 partnership with IKEA that committed to 100% zero-emission home deliveries by 2025, a move that pushed ANC to the forefront of sustainability in logistics. He candidly shares the challenges of starting with first-generation EVs, the learning curve of range anxiety, charging solutions, and engaging contractor drivers in the transition.

By World EV Day 2025, ANC reached a major milestone: more than 100 electric vehicles on the road. Joe explains how this achievement has deepened relationships with partners and delivery professionals, while also transforming the customer experience — from quieter streets to greener driveways.

Looking ahead, ANC is targeting 300+ EVs by 2028 and is rethinking efficiency with a “carbon cost per order” approach, aiming to do more with fewer vehicles. For Joe, the mission is clear: electric vehicles are not just viable for metro last mile deliveries — they’re the future.

This conversation highlights ANC’s role as a pioneer of zero-emission logistics and its commitment to creating lasting smiles for customers while cutting carbon emissions.

In this episode of the Fleet News Group podcast, we’re joined by New Zealand rally champion and road safety advocate Hayden Paddon. From grassroots motorsport to standing atop a WRC podium, Hayden shares lessons from a career built on goal setting, strategy, and managing risk under pressure.

We unpack how those same principles apply to fleet operations—whether it’s building a culture of calm and competent driving, introducing practical driver training, or rethinking how we prepare drivers for life on busy roads. Hayden also discusses his latest initiative to bring motorsport-based driver education to young Kiwis and why the vehicle should be treated as a workplace.

Whether you're managing five vehicles or five thousand, this conversation is packed with insights to help you influence safer driving behaviours across your organisation.