NAFA Connection

NAFA News

 
No matter the industry, no matter company policy, no matter job responsibilities, your organization's employees are your number one resource, and their safety is paramount -- that makes safety policies and practices some of the most important, key components of any fleet management department. This October, Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW) aims to further this cause and assist fleet management professionals with an easy, affordable way to remind employees of safe driving practices.
 
Since 1996, DSWW has been the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) annual signature workplace safety campaign, which takes place this year from Oct. 5-9. Since 2007, NAFA and NETS have partnered and promoted this campaign to offer guidance to employers in the development of workplace traffic safety programs to improve driver safety performance and minimize the risk of motor vehicle crashes and their ensuing human and financial costs. The theme for this year's campaign is "Drive Focused. Drive Smart. Get Home Safely."

Facts to Know:   A typical driver in the U.S. travels 12,000 to 15,000 miles annually and has a one in 15 chance of being involved in a motor vehicle collision each year. With most fleet drivers traveling 20,000 to 25,000 miles or more each year, they have a greater crash exposure. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all age groups from 3 to 33 years of age. Crashes are the 3rd leading cause of years of potential life lost for all ages combined. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States.

 
"NAFA's partnership with NETS is another example of wisely using our resources to focus on our core expertise, while reaching out to other groups to bolster our arsenal of products and services for our membership," said NAFA Executive Director Phillip E. Russo, CAE. "This arrangement instantly gives NAFA Members access to a safety partner with some of the best information in an easy-to-implement format without having to spend time or money developing it."
 
Internet-based materials for the DSWW program are available online at the NETS website, www.trafficsafety.org. Materials in the kit may be used for Drive Safely Work Week and throughout the year, as none of the materials are dated or seasonal. The DSWW tool kit has everything needed to launch a successful campaign:

• Activities for each day, including interactive, electronic-based tools.
• Daily communications messages.
• Downloadable graphics.
• Communication tools, including press releases and campaign launch letter.
• Materials suitable for local and global employees.
• Enhance your program's safety protocols and workshops with DSWW materials.
• Take-home tips for employees to share with family and friends.
  

"The 2009 DSWW campaign tools work well with the way today's businesses get information to their employees," said Gerry Eaker, Fleet Safety Manager Corporate Health and Safety, UPS. "The electronic and interactive tools provide for a quick and easy delivery method of safe driving messages that will really resonate with our employees."
 
The kit addresses the issue of distracted driving and provides materials and activities to help build strategies to minimize distractions while drivers are behind the wheel. In addition, tips and information on eco-friendly driving, or smart driving, are included. Just by making simple changes to our driving and maintenance practices, fuel economy can be improved by up to 15 percent, according to EcoDrivingUSA.

"Our Michigan businesses appreciate that the DSWW materials are easy to use and include meaningful messages and activities that really hit home with employees without taking a lot of time out of their work day from the participation or planning standpoint," said Dan Vartanian, Corporate Program Coordinator, Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

So, act now and plan to participate in DSWW! To get started in the program, visit the NETS homepage at www.trafficsafety.org to purchase your program materials.

Attention NAFA Members: You can receive a 20 percent discount by using the code NETS when you order a DSWW tool kit online.
 
So remember: Drive focused. Drive smart. Get home safely.    

NAFA's Advanced Fleet Management Seminar is an intense, upper-level course, immersing you in the major concepts of fleet management. This seminar covers the eight discipline modules of fleet management for both the public service and commercial sectors.

• An intense, upper-level course.
• 8 interactive sessions covering disciplines in-depth.
• A great study tool for the CAFM or CAFS exam.
• Learn from the experts themselves.

Reserve Your Seat By Sept. 23 and SAVE!  Reserve your seat by Sept. 23 and SAVE with our early bird pricing. Register online at www.nafa.org/afms now and save.

Attention CAFM/CAFS Participants: AFMS is the Best Study Tool Out There!
Who better to learn from than the expert themselves? These expert, seasoned instructors will provide insight, answers, and individual attention, along with a Q&A at the end of each session. After the seminar, take your CAFM or CAFS exam with ease. You will be able to test upon the conclusion of the FMS/AFMS on Monday, Oct.19, at the same hotel.

"The AFMS is the single biggest help that NAFA will offer to help CAFM and CAFS candidates master the difficult concepts in the curriculum." -- NAFA President Christopher Amos, CAFM, Commissioner of Equipment Services, City of St. Louis

Take Your Exam Immediately Following the Seminars.
Certification participants have the opportunity to test on Monday, Oct.19, right after the FMS and AFMS. Take this chance to prep and take the exam with the information still fresh in your mind.

Deadline for forms is Oct. 12, 2009
Register at www.nafa.org/exams

To reserve your seat online, click here
For more details on AFMS, please visit www.nafa.org/afms

Become an Expert With Our Package Deal! Enroll in both the introductory-level Fleet Management Seminar and the Advanced Fleet Management Seminar by the early bird deadline, Sept. 23, and SAVE more than $250. Refresh your skills and knowledge at the Fleet Management Seminar and then receive a deeper level of instruction and scholarship at the Advanced Fleet Management Seminar. This is a perfect opportunity for those studying for the CAFM or CAFS exam. To register online for the combo deal, click here.

Make Your Hotel Reservations Today.
To receive a group rate of $159 per night (plus applicable taxes), call the Detroit Marriott directly at 1-800-228-9290 or click here to make reservations online. Use the code knifeman; the cut-off date for group rate is Sept. 21, 2009.
Did you know you can volunteer without having to spend a huge amount of time?

NAFA offers so many opportunities to volunteer; you can be part of the team, support your colleagues, or provide valuable data without having to sacrifice a lot of personal time.  There are a number of ways to volunteer talents to the organization:

• Share your expertise through the many "one-time" projects.
• Provide ideas or articles for one of NAFA's publications.
• Develop chapter programs or make calls to fellow NAFA Members and Affiliates.
• Join a local committee or a board; help shape new chapter programs and services.
  

"There are many levels of commitment available, and Chapters may want to [let] folks know that," suggested NAFA Member Arthur Kappel, CAFM, of Cablevision Systems Corporation in Bethpage, New York. "For instance, perhaps you can't be a Chapter Chair or sit on the Board (you may not have that much time), but would you be interested in volunteering at the meeting registration table? From there, maybe one wouldn't mind doing a little more. You'll meet more folks and become involved in making NAFA an organization that is valuable to you."

By giving just a little, you can gain a lot. It is the dedication of Members and Affiliates that help make NAFA strong, and with the help of even more volunteers, the Association can be even stronger.  Click here to learn more about volunteering with NAFA. If you're interested, e-mail info@nafa.org to get started!
To better answer your questions and concerns, Impact Public Affairs, NAFA's Canadian legislative counsel, has established a toll-free phone number with dedicated live response and a centralized e-mail address: nafa@impactcanada.com. 

Now, NAFA Members can call 866-935-9969 with any questions or concerns and receive a guaranteed 24-hour response (excluding weekends and public holidays).

In addition to the toll-free number and new centralized e-mail address, Impact Public Affairs also:

• Monitors legislative issues and provides ongoing strategic government relations advice, information, and counsel.
• Assists NAFA in enhancing our government relations profile and associated profile development campaigns.
• Monitors government policy, legislation, caucuses, and committees with respect to issues that impact fleet.
• Provides fully bilingual member services.

NAFA's Canadian legislative counsel serves membership by monitoring federal legislation and regulatory activities that might impact fleets, being on call to fight key issues as they develop, and conducting significant direct dialogue with members as requested. Impact Public Affairs monitors legislation in all 10 provinces and three territories and drafts regular legislative updates and bi-weekly member updates for electronic bulletins and articles for NAFA publications. 

This latest service will provide NAFA Members with immediate answers and even better service.

Want to win a free trip to NAFA's 2010 Institute and Expo? Just participate in the 2009 NAFA Membership Drive and recruit a new NAFA Member to join. This will put you in the running for a free trip to NAFA's 2010 I&E. This Membership Drive Grand Prize Pack includes full conference registration, hotel for all conference nights, and your roundtrip travel/airfare. Plus, there are five additional I&E conference registrations that will be drawn. This 2009 Membership Drive contest is "win-win-win" for all involved, especially you.

Why Participate and Get Your Colleagues to Join?

• Build your network, which may help in your next project.
• Get a chance to win a free trip to I&E, including hotel and travel expenses (the Membership Drive Grand Prize Pack, including I&E conference registration, hotel, and airfare).
• Get a chance to win a free I&E registration.
• Receive a $10 coupon good toward any NAFA product for each new NAFA Member you get to join.
• Strengthen your association, which provides fleet solutions for all fleet professionals.
• Build your opportunity to become more involved in your association – and truly make it your association. 

 As a NAFA Member, you know the value of membership best, and we want others to experience the same benefits of NAFA that you do. Let them know NAFA offers fleet solutions for fleet professionals  – we're all about fleet!

For each new fleet manager NAFA Member who is recruited between July 1 and Nov. 30, one ticket will be entered in a drawing to win a free trip (grand prize) and free registration to NAFA's 2010 Institute & Expo in Detroit, April 24–29, 2010. In addition, collect NAFA coupon dollars for every new member you recruit.

For complete details and contest rules, visit www.nafa.org/2009drive.

1. Get Started Today With Your Recruiting Toolbox.
   Download our special Member application, and don't forget to put your name on the "SPONSOR" line before distributing.
   US and Canadian Member Application
   International Member Application
2. Good Web pages to refer to:
   Top Reasons To Join
   Testimonials
   Membership Benefits
   www.nafa.org/join
3. Spread the word. Here are some ideas how:
   
   • Invite a colleague to a local meeting.
   • E-mail fellow professionals (see above links).
   • Contact your local chapter chair for a list of prospective Members.
   • Research similar companies in your area and find out who runs their fleets.
   • E-mail NAFA's Membership Department directly for a prospect Member to contact.

Annual conventions throughout the United States are feeling the sting of a weak economy in 2009. While the attendance numbers for NAFA's annual Institute & Expo (I&E) decreased less than the average conference (according to the American Society of Association Executives), NAFA enlisted its Board of Governors to examine the conference from the inside out and find ways to improve every aspect of the I&E which will take place April 24-27, 2010, in Detroit, Mich.

For more than 50 years, NAFA's annual I&E has been the premier networking and education event for the fleet management industry. By being proactive, NAFA has not only taken steps to combat the weak economy, but has also rebuilt the conference to ensure it remains the industry's premier event for the next 50 years!

 Significant improvements made for the 2010 I&E include:

• Powerful keynote speakers (An invitation has been extended to Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) 
  
• Revised scheduling
  
• Increased focus on the Expo floor
  
• The development of a special education program to help exhibitors attract more visitors to their booth.
  

The Association has no intention of having the I&E be thought of as just another fleet event; the goal is for the I&E to be the fleet event. Thanks to the work of NAFA's Board of Governors (volunteer fleet managers and affiliates covering every sector of the industry), that goal is in reach. For more information on the improvements being made to the I&E, click here.
Two Top Reasons to Reserve Your Booth Today:

1. Meet Fleet Decision-Makers
   NAFA Members are composed of both commercial (60 percent) and government (40 percent) fleet managers and are responsible for more than 3.5 million vehicles.
2. Green Zone is Hot
   With alternative fuels being in the headlines, the NAFA I&E Green Zone will draw buyers to the floor.

Be part of the premier fleet management event! Visit www.nafaiande.org/.  Call our sales team at 703-934-4700 or e-mail nafa@cmgexpo.com for help selecting your booth.  Look for NAFA's Exhibitor Prospectus coming soon in your mail.
An historic event in NAFA's history is finally here: The steps are in place for CAFM/CAFS graduates to obtain college credit through Ferris State University (FSU) in Michigan. 

The partnership between NAFA and FSU was first announced by former NAFA President Gayle Pratt at the Association's 2008 Institute & Expo in Salt Lake City.

The arrangement between FSU and NAFA  includes a four-step degree plan that begins with awarding NAFA CAFM program participants 12 semester hours of college credit for the successful completion of the program and ends with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Minor in Fleet Management.

At this time, only graduates under the new CAFM/CAFS programs (no case study) qualify for the college credits.  The following link will direct you to details on the program, instructions, and forms: http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/ucel/cpd/NAFA/index.htm   
 
"It is apparent that there is an unfilled need for qualified graduates [who] have earned credentials that will help them pursue a career in fleet management," explained FSU Assistant Professor Gary Maike.

In addition to offering CAFM/CAFS graduates college credit through FSU, NAFA's  Michigan Chapter will meet on Sept. 2 at Ferris State University (FSU) in Big Rapids, Mich., to discuss the partnership. Speakers, chapter members, and representatives of FSU will also discuss  the curriculum associated with the school's Fleet Management minor; take a look at the program from the experiences of a recent graduate; and discuss how one employer is utilizing the school's internship program and how others may utilize internships for their business as well.

This introductory meeting will hopefully be the start of a long relationship between NAFA's Michigan Chapter and FSU. For more information on this meeting click here.

"We're trying to show the members that there's a big link here between Ferris State University and NAFA and that there's something in it for them as fleet managers.  In addition, they can offer something back to the community at large by providing some internship opportunities for students," explained Steve Pederson, Chair of NAFA's Michigan Chapter and Vice President Fleet & Risk Management for VPSI, Inc.

No matter what type of fleet you have, fleet managers all face the same issues with regard to maintenance. This recently published guide will enhance your understanding of the essential maintenance principles of in-house, contracted, or outsourced maintenance. Whether you work for a large corporation, a government entity, utility, or university, the Fleet Maintenance Operations Guide provides you with valuable information and resources. More than 500 pages of information, articles, codes, checklists, and guidelines examine:

• preventive maintenance & warranty operations.
• shop operations.
• environmental issues.
• inventory management.
• benchmarking staff performance.
• outsourcing.
• maintenance staffing.

The guide is available in two formats to meet your project needs. NAFA has received 85 orders! Order Today!

• The e-download gives you instant access and portability – store it virtually anywhere: in your own "NAFA document folder," on your computer, or on your flash drive to take with you.
• The CD version offers the same practical abilities as the e-downloadable format and is a product ready to share with other members of your fleet management team or add to the department's reference shelves.

Headline News

New-vehicle retail sales in August are forecasted to cross the 1-million-unit mark for the first time in the past 12 months, boosted by the government-funded Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Based on the first 13 selling days of the month, new-vehicle retail sales for the month of August are expected to come in at slightly more than 1 million units, up nearly 2 percent from one year ago. This marks the first increase in retail sales volume since June 2007.

"Improved consumer confidence and credit availability during the past six months have combined with the CARS program to lift industry sales out of their slumping year-to-date levels, which have been down approximately 35 percent year-over-year," said Gary Dilts, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power and Associates. "These factors set the foundation for a gradual recovery in the months ahead. Reduced inventories will likely hold back some of this momentum, but the automakers are moving quickly to ramp up production and rebuild stock."

As inventory is channeled to retail sales, August fleet sales are expected to decline by more than 50 percent compared with one year ago. As a result, August total light-vehicle sales are projected to come in at 1.1 million units, down just 8 percent from August 2008. The August seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total vehicle sales increases to 12.2 million units, up 1.2 million units from July.

Given the positive impact of the CARS program, J.D. Power and Associates is increasing its forecast for 2009 to 10.3 million units for total sales. Retail sales are projected to come in at 8.6 million units-300,000 units more than previously expected, while the projection for fleet sales has been reduced to account for a shortage in inventory.

In light of the expected pull-ahead sales as a result of the CARS program and a flatter-than-anticipated recovery, J.D. Power and Associates has lowered its forecast slightly for 2010 to 11.5 million units for total sales and 9.5 million for retail sales. On Sept. 1, a new law in Texas, HB 432, will amend requirements for state agency purchases of alt-fuel vehicles. 

The bill amends various provisions relating to vehicle purchases to include, among such vehicles, those that use either biodiesel or a blend of diesel and biodiesel of 20 percent or greater, and clarifies that the inclusion of vehicles that use electricity extends to electricity that powers a plug-in hybrid motor vehicle. 

The bill also amends provisions to specify that such vehicles must use alternative fuels (rather than just be capable of using alternative fuels) and that a vehicle meets the use requirement if it uses an alternative fuel not less than 80 percent of the time it is driven.  The bill sets a new deadline, Sept. 20, 2010, for agencies that operate a fleet of more than 15 motor vehicles, excluding law enforcement and emergency vehicles, to have a fleet in which at least 50 percent of the vehicles use alternative fuels.

Additionally, Texas State Technical College will develop a program and provide training to state agencies on converting existing vehicles to meet new requirements.  HB 432 was authored by Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D-San Benito) and signed by Gov. Perry on Aug. 19.

"This bill brings aggressive and necessary reform to the state's purchase policy and fueling practices for vehicles used for state business and more than doubles the requirement for state agencies to purchase low-emission vehicles from 10 to 25 percent," Lucio said. "These steps are strides toward making Texas a leader in embracing green technology and meeting or exceeding federal mandates for environmentally responsible operations." Nissan and Chrysler announced a mutual agreement to end three OEM vehicle-supply projects announced last year.

For the past several months, teams from both companies have been studying the viability of the projects in light of significant changes in business conditions since the projects were announced in January and April of 2008. It was recently decided it was in the best interests of both companies to end the projects.

The projects had involved:

• Nissan providing to Chrysler a compact sedan for the South American market beginning this year.
• Nissan providing to Chrysler a small vehicle for global markets beginning in 2010.
• Chrysler providing to Nissan a full-size pickup truck starting in 2011.
  

A separate agreement involving the supply of transmissions from Nissan affiliate JATCO to Chrysler remains unchanged. That agreement has been in effect since 2004. General Motors is increasing production at several North America assembly plants in response to increased sales. The company will add shifts and overtime and reinstate forecasted down weeks at select facilities. As a result, GM will add about 60,000 vehicles in the third and mainly the fourth quarter production forecast.

"We are running our plants to maintain maximum flexibility and keep production tightly aligned with customer demand," said Tim Lee, GM Group Vice President, Global Manufacturing and Labor. "The uptick is an encouraging sign that vehicle sales are turning around, and we will ramp up quickly to meet that demand."

In July and August, the popular Cash for Clunkers program generated substantial demand for a broad range of fuel efficient vehicles within GM. This latest round of production increases will go a long way in rebuilding dealer inventories to help us meet strong consumer demand.

"During the third quarter 2009, we've added production, which will result in 35 percent increase over the second quarter.  With today's announcement of further additions, the fourth quarter will now be at least 20 percent higher than the third quarter, which is a very positive trend," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, U.S. sales. Ford Motor Company announced it has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that "talks" directly with the nation's electric grid.  This new technology allows the vehicle operator to program when to recharge the vehicle, for how long and at what utility rate. 

"Electric vehicles are an important element of our strategy for improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions," said Bill Ford, Ford's Executive Chairman. "This vehicle-to-grid communication technology is an important step in the journey toward the widespread commercialization of electric vehicles."

All 21 of Ford's fleet of plug-in hybrid Escapes eventually will be equipped with the vehicle-to-grid communications technology. The first of the specially equipped plug-in hybrids has been delivered to American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio.

Over the past two years, Ford and its energy industry partners have logged more than 75,000 miles on the plug-in hybrid test fleet. The plug-in hybrid research focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage, and grid infrastructure.

In 2007, Ford announced a partnership with Southern California Edison, the electric utility with the nation's largest and most advanced electric vehicle fleet. Since then, Ford and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have expanded the partnership, with a three-year plan to develop and evaluate technical approaches for integrating PHEVs into the nation's electric grid system, a key requirement to facilitate widespread adoption of the vehicles.

Ford recently was selected for two grants from the Department of Energy under its fleet electrification program. The program is designed to accelerate viable commercial volumes of electrified vehicles and vehicle-to-grid infrastructure development.  The grant, for $30 million, will help fund Ford's collaboration with utility partners across the nation with an expansion of a vehicle demonstration and grid integration program.

Ford also will receive a $62.7 million DOE grant for production of an electric-drive transaxle that could be used for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles at Ford's Van Dyke transmission manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights, Mich. This grant will be matched by Ford.

DOE grant funds also will support production of electric-drive system components at Ford supplier Magna, for the Ford Focus battery electric vehicle, as well as Johnson Controls-Saft, which will supply high-voltage batteries for Ford's plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012.  Ford plans to invest nearly $14 billion in advanced technology vehicles in the next seven years, retooling its U.S. plants more quickly to produce fuel-efficient vehicles and help meet the new, rigorous fuel economy requirements. Toyota will add capacity at its engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., to increase North American production of four-cylinder engines beginning by summer of 2011. The expansion will allow Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL) to produce 216,000 four-cylinder engines annually.
 
The plant currently builds both V8 and V6 engines. The expansion will bring its annual engine capacity to 577,000.   At least 240 new employees will be hired, and new investment will be $147 million, bringing the total to $637 million.
 
"The four-cylinder engines to be produced in Alabama will be for Camry and RAV4," said Jim Wiseman, vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
 
"Currently, all engines for RAV4s made at our Woodstock, Ontario plant come from Japan, as well as engines for Camrys built at SIA in Lafayette, Indiana," he explained. "We're pleased to be moving all of this production to North America." Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Hino Motors, Ltd. (Hino) announce that, as part of their efforts to eradicate drunk driving, they will jointly test a breath-alcohol ignition-interlock system under development by TMC.

The system, aimed to aid companies and organizations better manage their fleet-vehicle operations, will be installed on selected trucks and other vehicles of Japanese transport companies and tested from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.

The tests will verify system functionality, particularly its ease-of-use in real-world situations. The system features a hand-held unit containing both a breathalyzer that can detect alcohol in a small breath sample and a digital camera that photographs the driver's face for test-taker identification. If the test result is positive, the system either warns the driver or locks the vehicle's ignition, depending on the level of alcohol detected. The system thus prevents drivers from operating vehicles in an inebriated state, while follow-up instructions given by fleet administrators aim to further reduce the possibility of alcohol-related traffic accidents.

In conjunction with the tests to be conducted by TMC and Hino, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Tourism (MLIT) will install the system in a vehicle under lease from TMC and conduct tests during everyday use.  TMC and Hino plan to provide results from the testing to an MLIT council on new technologies to prevent drunk driving, while TMC also intends to apply the test results to improving the system.

SPOTLIGHT ON LEGISLATION

The new fuel-efficient pilot project to help Ottawa residents save fuel and money, all the while helping the environment and improving vehicle safety, was officially launched on Aug. 20, the opening day of the SuperEx in Ottawa.

The one change: Fuel pilot campaign will involve the delivery of 13,000 free fuel-saving digital tire gauges and Canadian Tire coupons to Ottawa residents this summer.  These free tire gauges and coupons will produce an outcome of reducing over 1,182,000 kg of CO2 emissions, fuel savings of $1,170,000 for Ottawa residents, and help prevent traffic accidents.

As part of the campaign, nine participating Canadian Tire stores will host family-friendly tire clinics in September, where customers will learn how to accurately check their tire pressure.  If everyone in Canada kept their tires properly inflated, more than $600 million could be saved on fuel and 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions could be elminiated.

Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, was on hand for the official launch and highlighted the ongoing commitment from the Government of Canada to help residents in Ottawa better maintain their vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to provide for a vehicle efficiency "feebate" system.  Under the Efficient Vehicle Leadership Act (S.1620), the feebate would apply to new passenger vehicles and light trucks weighing less than 8,500 pounds, and rebates would be available for cars with a purchase price of $50,000 or less, after rebates.

A purchaser of a new vehicle with a greater fuel efficiency that the applicable Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard will receive a "fuel performance rebate," in an amount proportionate to the new vehicle's excess fuel efficiency about CAFE.  The purchaser can claim the rebate as an income tax credit or can elect to transfer the credit to the auto dealer, who will apply the rebate to reduce the purchase price.  Starting in 2011, the Act will also assess a similarly calculated Fuel Performance Fee on a vehicle that is less efficient than CAFE.

The Efficient Vehicle Leadership Act was introduced by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.).

ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

U.S. Rep. Sander Levin previewed innovative commercial vehicle hybrid power systems developed by diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation at the company's Michigan Innovation Center in Southfield. In addition, Levin highlighted the importance of legislation to extend the heavy duty hybrid tax credit for five years and double the credit amounts.

"We appreciate Rep. Levin's leadership in Congress of the emerging heavy duty hybrid truck industry," said Dimitri Kazarinoff, Eaton Vice President and General Manager, Hybrid Power Systems. "The Heavy Duty Hybrid Tax Credit Extension bill is an excellent example of how government, industry and the nation's commercial vehicle owners can collaborate toward a greener and more fuel-efficient fleet. Working together, we can use this incentive to make hybrid power for commercial vehicles more affordable and speed its adoption."

The proposed legislation would cover between 20 and 50 percent of the incremental cost of heavy duty hybrid systems, supporting faster commercialization of these energy-saving technologies. Engineers in Eaton's Michigan Innovation Center helped to develop the company's industry-leading range of hybrid technologies on display today. These include hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and two hybrid hydraulic power systems.

Eaton is the only manufacturer to offer the full range of hybrid systems for truck and bus applications, accumulating nearly 20 million miles in road-tested service around the world. Eaton's hybrid systems are available on truck models from International, Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner.

Companies such as FedEx, UPS, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Wal-Mart are using delivery vehicles with the Eaton system.  Eaton recently announced it will support a $45.4 million grant to produce plug-in hybrid electric power systems for 378 vehicles, the nation's largest commercial hybrid deployment to date. The funding is part of the recently announced $2.4 billion in grants by the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Eaton will work with grant recipient South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and other affiliates, including the Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI), Altec Industries, Compact Power Inc., Ford Motor Company and Southern California Edison, in the deployment of plug-in hybrid electric commercial vehicles to more than 50 utility and municipal fleets nationwide. Eaton will also provide infrastructure for the electrical charging of these vehicles. Global Electric Motorcars, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, announced that all GEM battery-electric vehicle models have been certified to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit, part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The tax credit marks another gain in promoting clean driving nationwide, a cause for which Global Electric Motorcars has been a staunch advocate over the past 11 years.

Aiming to grow the marketplace for efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles, the tax credit is now available on any new 2007, 2008, or 2009 model year GEM car purchased from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec.31, 2009. Credit amounts are as follows: $3,751 for the GEM e2, GEM e4, GEM e6 (12-volt battery system) and GEM eS; $5,002 for the GEM e6 (8-volt battery system) and GEM eL XD. This coming winter will be more "green" in Ohio. By reducing diesel emissions and using more alternative fuels on nearly 800 snow plows, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has earned one of the state's first "Ohio Green Fleets" certifications.

Over the past eight months, nearly half of the dump trucks and snow plows ODOT uses for combating ice and snow have become "Green Fleets" certified.

"This is a great start! Our 'Go with Green' initiative is meant to take our efforts to the next level," said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris, who expects the remainder of ODOT's snow plow fleet to be certified by the end of the year. "Each day, we are working to make ODOT a more environmentally-conscious department and a green leader in the nation."

As part of the "Go with Green" initiative, ODOT crews are reducing engine idle time on these large trucks  and are using more biodiesel as an alternative fuel whenever possible.

Over the past year, ODOT purchased more than 1.8 million gallons of B20 biodiesel for its fleet statewide. According to Clean Fuels Ohio, ODOT's fleet has made great strides to reduce harmful vehicle emissions and petroleum fuel consumption. Over the past year, Semcon has been working with Volvo Cars' development of three demo plug-in hybrids in a cooperation project between Volvo Cars, Vattenfall, ETC, and Energimyndigheten (The Swedish Energy Agency).

Semcon has worked on converting a vehicle with a conventional combustion engine to a plug-in by adapting and installing an electric motor and battery; constructing an adapted transmission; and designing and constructing the wiring, logger, and control units. Three prototype cars are being produced so that in the autumn of 2009, information can be gathered about what requirements and demands drivers will place on this new technology, what the driving experience is like and how people will charge their cars.

"Today, all sorts of different projects are being run worldwide to convert vehicles to being hybrid-driven and solely electrically-driven. With the small series and different concepts that are flourishing among manufacturers, Semcon's experience in constructing and installing the new technology is of course very valuable," comments Stefan Ohlsson, President, Semcon Automotive R&D.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) celebrated more than 7,000 fuel cell forklift fuelings at the Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Distribution Depot (DDSP) in Susquehanna, Penn. The 40 fuel cell forklifts at DDSP were the first installment of a total of 100 forklifts that DLA will deploy in four of its high-volume distribution centers across the country.

Fuel cells for material-handling equipment have been identified as an application that can be competitive in today's market. Forklifts powered by fuel cells are able to operate at a constant voltage, unlike those powered by batteries, which are prone to voltage drops as the battery charge wears down which leads to losses in productivity.  In conjunction with the fueling ceremony, DOE met with representatives from its 13 competitively-selected Recovery Act fuel cell awards and discussed project initiation and plans.

These projects will support the immediate deployment of up to 1,000 fuel cell systems for emergency backup power, material handling applications, and stationary fuel cells for combined heat and power at nationwide locations including at facilities belonging to Anheuser-Busch, FedEx, and Sprint Communications.

NAFA Online Store

Order by Sept. 30 and save 25 percent on NAFA's Personal Use for Fleets CD-ROM

 

Personal Use for Fleets

CD-ROM

The NAFA Personal Use CD-ROM is a comprehensive tool to instruct and assist you in gaining a greater understanding of this core competency for successful fleet management. The CD-ROM format proves easy navigation and access to many samples, reference documents, and complicated IRS rules and regulations. 

Did you know about NAFA's other products, such as the NAFA Vehicle Classification System, Personal Use for Fleets CD or Request for Proposals Guide CD? Review all NAFA products at the online store (www.nafa.org/store), or to download the current catalog, click here. Get the most from your NAFA membership by taking advantage of substantial discounts on all products in our online store.

Fuel Management Guide

Designed with you in mind, the guide will help you understand fuel supply and demand dynamics to better anticipate price changes; understand key fuel standards; and identify appropriate policies, activities, and technologies to improve fuel efficiency. A valuable appendix, comprised of additional references, makes this an "evergreen" learning tool, as links to current Web sites provide you direct access to the most current information on fuels and pricing, as well as from government authorities, non-profit and association Web sites, and manufacturers.

Information is easily accessible, as detailed chapters explore the issues associated with the centralized fuel management of conventional fuels; a variety of tools to fuel decentralized fleets; and alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles, including forms of hybrid drive trains currently available.

The guide is available in three formats to meet your project and budgetary needs.

• The e-download gives you instant access and portability – store it virtually anywhere: in your own "NAFA document folder," on your computer, or on your flash drive to take with you.
• The CD version offers the same practical abilities as the e-downloadable format and is a product ready to share with other members of your fleet management team or add to the department's reference shelves.
• The more traditional, spiral-bound, soft-cover book provides for easy use, especially when you're sharing references with colleagues. Order today!

Career Corner

NAFA has provided space in each issue of the FleetFOCUS for companies and organizations to advertise career opportunities in the fleet industry.  Members can also market themselves to potential employers.  If you're interested in this opportunity, make your listings 200 words or fewer. Links to complete job descriptions on the company's Web site are suggested.  Please note all of the materials a candidate must supply in order to be considered for the position (e.g., resume, salary history, municipal application, etc.).  To take advantage of this service, e-mail your ad to Patrick McCarren at pmccarren@nafa.org.

Job Wanted Listings Provide New Networking Opportunities!

Are you looking for a new job or a motivated, hard-working employee?  NAFA's Job Wanted Listings are an exclusive benefit for Members and Affiliates who are looking to make a career change. PLEASE NOTE: This new and exclusive benefit is FREE!  To take advantage of this service, e-mail your job wanted posting to Maureen Smith at msmith@nafa.org.

September Job Postings

Director of Fleet Management - Cincinnati, OH
National Fleet Sales Manager - Portland, OR

NAFA is going one step further to help those in the industry gain employment.  For a small fee, NAFA will send resumes to any prospective employer who places an ad on the Career Network Section of the NAFA website.  Employers will be provided with new, up-to-date resumes that fit the job, for a small cost.

There is still no charge to submit a resume to the resume bank.  To be included in the resume bank, please send a current version of your resume to Maureen Smith, NAFA, Inc., 125 Village Blvd., Suite 200, Princeton, NJ 08540; or fax it to 609-452-8004.  Resumes can also be e-mailed to Maureen Smith at msmith@nafa.org.  A few tips and reminders: If you would like to include a generic cover letter to be sent to potential employers, please include that as part of your resume. Make sure your home address, home phone or cell phone, and personal e-mail address are included on your resume.  Potential employers will contact you directly.  NAFA has a number of fleet-related job openings on the Jobs Wanted/Available page (click here).

Chapter Highlights

Click Here

NAFA's local chapters across Canada and the United States offer you numerous opportunities to meet colleagues and receive valuable fleet management education to keep you informed. Each year, more than 100 NAFA Chapter meetings provide top-level education and training on a wide variety of timely topics.

September Chapter meetings will take place:

September 2
Michigan Chapter Meeting - Ferris State Chapter Luncheon
Location: Ferris STate, Big Rapids, MI
Contact: Steven Pederson, 248-597-3522, steven.pederson@vpsiinc.com
 
September 9
Inter-County Chapter Meeting
Location: Red Barn Restaurant, Westport, CT
Contact: Joan Jacobs, lloyd_r_jacobs@sbcglobal.net
 
September 15
Wisconsin NAFA Chapter - Meeting
Location: Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Convention Center, Milwaukee, WI
Contact: Mary Daniel, 414-385-5212, mdaniel@sssf.org 
 
September 15
Mid-West Chapter - Meeting / Annual Golf Outing
Location: Urbandale Golf & Country Club, Urbandale, IA
Contact: Mike McDonald, 402-896-3884, mike.mcdonald@mosaicinfo.org

September 15
North Central Chapter Meeting
Location: Lower entrance of GE Capital, Eden Prairie, MN
Contact: Leroy Pavek, 507-529-2068, Leroy.pavek@agstar.com
 
September 16
FLAGFA/NAFA Combined 2009 Fall Conference
Location: THE PLAZA RESORT, DAYTONA BEACH, Florida
Contact: Frank Salerno, 386-677-1482, fsalerno1@cfl.rr.com 
 
September 16
New England - Economic Outlook / Funding Availability
Location: Holiday Inn, Mansfield, MA
Contact: Karen Doyon, 401-757-2214, kdoyon@sperianprotection.com

September 16
Puget Sound Chapter - Law Enforcement Group Meeting
Location: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission
Contact: Robin Robinson, 425-638-4920, robin.robinson@univarusa.com
 
September 22
Mid-America - Annual Golf Outing
Location: Paradise Point Golf Course, Smithville, MO
Contact: Steve Adams, 913-696-6263, steven.adams1@ge.com
 
September 24
Tri-State Chapter - Annual Meeting / Golf Outing
Location: Sharon Woods Golf Course, Cincinnati, OH
Contact: Craig Jones, 513-241-2573, CJones@arifleet.com
 
September 24
Chicago Chapter - 2009 Sport & Leisure Outing
Location: Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, IL
Contact: Mark Kurth, 847-481-3016, mark.kurth@leaseplan.com

Membership Benefits You

As a service to NAFA Members, Patrick O'Connor and Huw Williams -- NAFA's U.S. and Canadian legislative counsels, respectively -- supply monthly updates on current legislative issues impacting the fleet industry. These updates, e-mailed to NAFA Members the first week of each month, are posted in PDF format at a MEMBERS ONLY SECTION on www.nafa.org.

Legislative Updates are issued monthly to NAFA Members and then archived online. With this e-newsletter, NAFA Members can easily check on the progress and status of current legislation. Click here for more information.

Congratulations – you just got a promotion! Best wishes on your retirement!  Now what do you do? Remember to notify NAFA about these and other changes. Notifying us will help you in many ways. If you are retiring, you may be eligible to become a NAFA alumnus and stay in touch with your NAFA colleagues and friends. Membership in the NAFA Fleet Management Association will follow you wherever you go, whether you change your position, place of work, or retire.

Just two easy steps can help your colleagues keep in touch. To make changes to your membership record: 1) click on "My Profile" on the NAFA homepage and submit changes, or 2) e-mail info@nafa.org.

Three online, searchable networking databases will easily put you in touch with all your NAFA colleagues. These databases are exclusively for NAFA members. Our three databases help you find:

• Fellow Members and Affiliates based on name, geographic area, or chapter.
• An expert who has volunteered to answer questions from colleagues on specific topics that are important to you.
• An Affiliate product or service; you can choose from more than 50 categories.

You must be a Member or Affiliate to utilize the online networking databases. To start your search, click here.

NAFA's FleetED is designed to help you quickly find the references and educational resources you need now.

From asset management to maintenance management, benchmarking, and shop operations, NAFA's FleetED covers all fleet management disciplines and competencies, making this free website your fast online portal to all fleet management education.
 
Easily look up available resources while scanning an overview of a particular fleet management discipline. Complete a brief self-assessment test, selected by discipline, to confirm your strengths and discover what areas may need a little more concentration. These quizzes provide real-time feedback, with suggested education content according to your assessment results.

Whether you are looking for something specific or just trying to figure out what you need to know, NAFA's FleetED will guide you to valuable, comprehensive education content and reference materials. Visit FleetED at www.nafa.org/fleeted.

e-Communities offer members the chance to reach colleagues and share ideas when they need to — anytime, anywhere. These virtual neighborhoods allow members to easily e-mail specific fleet questions to others within the community. As a subscriber to e-Communities, you can:

• View real-time activity between other subscribed members within the group(s) to which you subscribe.
• Share your knowledge and assist a fellow member in need, access lists of subscribers for each group, and access a history of inquiries posted to e-Communities.
• Topics include alternative fuels, disaster relief, fleet maintenance, global fleet, law enforcement, and many more. Come be a part of NAFA's community!

To visit e-Communities, please click here.

NAFA cares about your privacy. As such, NAFA does not sell or rent e-mail addresses or phone numbers of its Members or Affiliates. NAFA also does not endorse any particular product or service provided by fleet suppliers. If you receive an e-mail (or any other form of communication) from a supplier that implies a NAFA endorsement or uses the NAFA name or likeness to imply endorsement, please notify NAFA immediately. We will issue a cease and desist notice and pursue action as necessary. (You should know that e-mail addresses are part of the online PDF files NAFA posts each month for communication among NAFA Members and Affiliates. Access to these files is restricted to NAFA Members and Affiliates.)

For NAFA's complete privacy policy, please click here: http://www.nafa.org/Template.cfm?Section=Privacy_Policy.