How to Manage Fleet Vehicle Replacement Cycles

Managing fleet vehicle replacement cycles involves careful planning, budgeting, and team coordination. Fleet management requires skills in handling vehicle issues, scheduling, and personnel management. If it’s time for your team to undergo fleet vehicle replacement cycles, our independent fleet consultants offer valuable tips to streamline the process.

Mercury Associates is a leading team of fleet consulting experts providing unparalleled service to the fleet industry. Our fleet consulting services combine technical expertise with independence and objectivity to provide the highest level of assistance to all of our clients. Teams trust us with help undergoing fleet vehicle replacement cycles, as we have the experience needed to make this transition more smooth and ultimately more beneficial for the future.

Before discussing the specifics of replacing fleet vehicles, here are some questions to consider beforehand.

Before any new vehicles are purchased, our team of independent fleet consultants recommends first establishing:

1. What assets need to be purchased?
2. By what date should assets be purchased

These two questions will lead to determining a budget and setting a timeline. Every company is different, and the needs of a private business will differ from those in government fleet management. If you are less constrained by a budget, you may opt to purchase more assets all at once rather than spacing out the fleet vehicle replacement cycles. If you feel constrained by your current fleet situation, our fleet management consulting can help alleviate this burden.

Once it is determined that your fleet will undergo a replacement cycle, it will benefit you to begin conversing with fleet management consulting companies. A fleet consultant serves as an outside resource for advice and objectivity, which is simply not a service you will get working within your team.

Our fleet maintenance consulting experts have tips to help guide you through smoother fleet vehicle replacement cycles.

While undergoing fleet vehicle replacement cycles, it is essential to set and stick to rigid care guidelines for employees. Our vehicle fleet management consultants recommend this because it sets a standard within your fleet and ensures that vehicles and assets are uniformly cared for. When completing new employee training, ensure that these cleaning and care policies are taught. If your care procedures change while undergoing fleet vehicle replacement cycles, update all employees with new training.

Remember to maintain vehicles according to the OEM’s guidelines for maintenance and service, as this is the best source for understanding vehicle care. Follow any specific care instructions for new vehicles. Keep this in mind during fleet vehicle replacement cycles, as assets with new technology may operate differently than outdated vehicles.

Our independent fleet consultants recommend only keeping vehicles during their recommended life cycle. This tip guarantees that fleet drivers and employees are not operating outdated or unsafe vehicles. It also ensures that you will get a better value for older vehicles during fleet vehicle replacement cycles, as the assets were not used past their optimal life cycle.

Disposal of old vehicles is a critical part of fleet vehicle replacement cycles. Before disposing of vehicles, remember to de-logo them and fix any minor problems. Our fleet maintenance consulting experts also note that the fall and spring seasons are when residual values are at their peak and are a smart time to remove old assets.

If you have considered working with fleet management consulting companies for assistance with fleet vehicle replacement cycles, know that this is the right investment. It’s common for fleet organizations to struggle with replacing vehicles in a fast and organized way. There’s often the issue of communication and planning between senior management and fleet managers, as it isn’t always clear why new fleet vehicles are a smart investment.

Unfortunately, fleet vehicle replacement cycles can be seen as an opportunity for budget-cutting, especially if a company is already financially struggling. That’s why our fleet consulting services can prove to be a considerable benefit for fleet managers undergoing fleet vehicle replacement cycles.

Our consultants can help with:

• Developing a fleet replacement fund
• Inventory valuation
• Reviewing existing replacement plan criteria
• Mileage reimbursement and user charge-back methodologies
• Auditing existing replacement funds for proper balance and utilization

The main goal of working with fleet consulting companies is to ease the stress and burden caused by fleet vehicle replacement cycles. At Mercury Associates, that is exactly what our vehicle fleet management consultants strive to do.

Aside from the benefits of easing stress, getting more organized, and talking to the experts, there are additional benefits in working with fleet consulting companies. We can provide unparalleled access to industry insight, data tools, and so much more.

Our fleet consultants can provide you with the data you need to successfully undergo fleet vehicle replacement cycles. At the heart of many of our consulting projects is the ability to analyze a fleet’s past performance, current problems, and future needs and opportunities. We are able to do this in-depth work thanks to our data analytics and real-world experience.

When using data tools during fleet vehicle replacement cycles, the value cannot be understated. Data gives you insight into past performance that you may not have considered previously. Large fleet owners often spend millions of dollars per year on their fleets and still find it difficult to develop in-house data and analysts with a deep knowledge of fleet management. Mercury works with 40-50 clients per year and constantly utilizes data for fleet vehicle replacement cycles, fleet management, and more. No single fleet owner can hope to match the depth of this experience.

Let our independent fleet consultants use their expertise to work for you.

Fleet vehicle replacement cycles are a time for changes in a company. For that reason, it’s essential to keep in mind how these cycles will impact employee performance, training, and development. The team of independent fleet consultants at Mercury Associates have developed and conducted fleet management training presentations and workshops for more than 50 sponsoring organizations across the globe. We can provide unbiased training, develop instructional materials, and weigh the pros and cons of best-of-breed fleet products and services.

Whether you need updated training for employees after fleet vehicle replacement cycles, or are looking for fleet management consulting companies to provide feedback and improvement on existing training programs, our qualified experts are here to help.

Auditing the current fleet and vehicle market is important during fleet vehicle replacement cycles, as this gives you an understanding of what to expect for pricing and budget. If you need help with market research before a vehicle replacement cycle, our fleet maintenance consulting experts can provide industry insight that is tailored to your interests and guides you to make the right purchasing decisions.

In addition, our market research reports include:

• Price point analysis
• White Papers
• Competitive Assessments
• Product or Service Alignment with Fleet Industry Segments

When compared to general consulting firms that tackle all types of projects, Mercury’s only focus is the fleet industry. That’s why our vehicle fleet management consultants are able to provide an exceptional level of service and solutions tailored to your fleet. We don’t just dabble in fleet management and technology, we are dedicated to serving the fleet industry with a full-time staff, technological resources, and multiple data centers.

When it comes to handling fleet vehicle replacement cycles, no one is more qualified than Mercury.

Fleet vehicle replacement cycles require time, resources, and an abundance of organization. Mercury Associates understands that it is not realistic for fleet managers to have a complete understanding of how to go about this cycle and the right way to manage budgets, timelines, and personnel. With so many moving parts and additional responsibilities, it’s almost essential to seek help from independent fleet consultants to have the most success.

Mercury combines specialized fleet management expertise, industry experience, independence and objectivity, and a proven track record of performance unmatched by competitors. We have experience in general consulting, report management, fleet vehicle replacement cycles, and so much more. Each year, we serve fleets worldwide with our attention to detail and breadth of experience to help fleets achieve maximum success.

Whether you need help navigating fleet vehicle replacement cycles, need specialized data reports, or you need help managing any aspect of your fleet, connect with our team of fleet consulting experts today.