NAFA Connection

Robert A. Lutz, Vice Chairman of General Motors Company, will provide the keynote address at NAFA's I&E Sunday, April 25, in Detroit. 

Lutz was named General Motors' Vice Chairman on Dec. 4, 2009, specially assigned to advise on design and global product development. Previously, he served as Vice Chairman, Marketing and Communications. Lutz rejoined GM on Sept.1, 2001, as Vice Chairman of Product Development. On Nov. 13, 2001, he was named Chairman of GM North America and served in that capacity until April 4, 2005, when he assumed responsibility for Global Product Development. He also served as President of GM Europe on an interim basis from March to June 2004. On April 1, 2009, Lutz was named Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor, providing strategic input into GM's global design and key product initiatives, a position he was to hold until his retirement at the end of 2009. He agreed to join the new GM at his current position, thereby "unretiring."

Prior to rejoining GM as Vice Chairman, Lutz was cChairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exide Technologies. He served as Chairman until his resignation on May 17, 2002, and as a member of Exide's board of directors until May 5, 2004. Lutz joined Exide after a distinguished career with the former Chrysler Corporation from 1986 to 1998, where he reached the position of Vice Chairman. Lutz also served as President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for Chrysler's car and truck operations worldwide.

Lutz led all of Chrysler's automotive activities, including sales, marketing, product development, manufacturing, and procurement and supply. He began his service with Chrysler in 1986 as Executive Vice President and was shortly thereafter elected to the Chrysler Corporation board. His 12 years with the company are chronicled in his 1998 book Guts: The Seven Laws of Business That Made Chrysler the World's Hottest Car Company. The book was revised and updated in 2003 and retitled Guts: 8 Laws of Business from One of the Most Innovative Business Leaders of Our Time.

Before Chrysler, Lutz spent 12 years at Ford Motor Company, where his last position was Executive Vice President of Truck Operations. Lutz began his automotive career in September 1963 at GM, where he held a variety of senior sales and marketing positions in Europe until December 1971.

Have you or someone you know implemented an innovative idea to increase overall fleet efficiency while reducing energy consumption or vehicle emissions?  If so, submit an entry for NAFA's Sustainable Fleet Awards today!

ONLINE ENTRY FORMS CLICK HERE

What Are NAFA's Sustainable Fleet Awards?

Originally called NAFA's Green Fleet Awards, we have renamed this award to better reflect the importance and impact fleets have on our world today and in the future. The Sustainable Fleet Awards honor individuals who have implemented pioneering, innovative, and creative programs to help with their companies' overall sustainable or "green" initiatives. Let NAFA know your sustainable fleet practices that provide for creating and maintaining environmental conditions for future generations. Four awards will be offered: two for a sedan/light truck fleet and two for a truck/equipment fleet.To enter, submit your COMPLETED NAFA Sustainable Fleet Award entry and any additional electronic documents to: awards@nafa.org. Click here for an online entry form.

NAFA's annual Membership Drive, which utilizes NAFA Members and Affiliates as recruiters, is responsible for attracting hundreds of new Members over the last five years and has become a staple of the Association's plan for growth.  The top recruiter for 2009 was Ken DeWolf of Spectra Energy in Chatham, Ontario.  DeWolf was rewarded for his hard work with a free trip to NAFA's 2009 Institute & Expo in Detroit, Mich., including full conference registration, a hotel room for all conference nights, and all travel expenses. 

Five additional members won full Institute & Expo conference registrations for their recruiting efforts during the Membership Drive.  These winners included Brendan Keaveney, City of Brampton; Donald Lubinsky, CAFM, Amtrak; Yvan Lupien, City of Ottawa; Nate Washington, Verizon Communications; and Tracey Karrick, City of Kansas City Board of Public Utilities.  In addition, each recruiter received a $10 coupon good towards any NAFA product for each new Member recruited.

The 2009 Membership Drive ran from July 1 through Nov. 30, 2009, and increased the membership numbers of 20 different chapters. The three largest increases were from the Ontario Chapter, Nation's Capital Chapter, and Southwest Chapter.

"I think it's a fairly easy job to convince the prospective member of the benefits of NAFA," said Donald Lubinsky, CAFM.  "It's the time it takes to convince his superiors of the value that is the difficult part.  In this tough economy, we need to focus on the possible cost savings and technical help available from the membership in order to justify a membership.

"My favorite benefit of NAFA is the ability to poll my peers on various fleet subjects and also the amount of information that is available to us as members.  It prevents us from reinventing the wheel and spending an enormous amount of time trying to find our way when the path has already been marked."

NAFA Members also benefit from legislative counsel in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa; networking databases; online resources; FLEETSolutions magazine; e-newsletters such as FleetFOCUS and Legislative Update; quality fleet education; events such as the annual Institute & Expo; and the strength in numbers that an association with 33 Chapters throughout North America provides. 

Become an expert with our package deal. Refresh your skills and knowledge at the introductory Fleet Management Seminar and then receive a deeper level of instruction at the Advanced Seminar. Register by Jan. 31 and SAVE more than $150 on the package deal! Limited space available! .

Sign up for NAFA's Fleet Management Seminar, Advanced Fleet Management Seminar, or our package deal for both seminars. Register by Jan. 31 and save with our early bird pricing. Visit www.nafa.org/fms.

For those attending NAFA's Institute & Expo in April, we know your time is extremely valuable. To help you get the best return on investment, NAFA has partnered with Map Your Show, an interactive tool that allows attendees to make the most out of their I&E experience while saving valuable time and money.

Map Your Show is a user-friendly online tool that lets attendees view an interactive floorplan, find companies and products of interest, and plan out their sessions and events. You will even be able to print out a detailed day-by-day event schedule as I&E draws near.

It's easy to use Map Your Show. Visit www.nafaiande.org or click here to begin. Start by searching for exhibitors, products, sessions, or the floorplan. You will be prompted to create an account to utilize this revolutionary feature. Begin today!

Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., has agreed to continue as chairman and CEO of General Motors, it was announced January 25.

Speaking at a press conference at GM's headquarters, Whitacre also expressed the GM board's commitment that the company will pay back in full the U.S. Treasury and the Canadian and Ontario government loans by June.

Whitacre's appointment reflects GM's progress since the new company was formed last summer.  "The board of directors asked if I would be willing to stay on at GM and help continue the company's road back to success," Whitacre said.  "Having spent the past few months learning the business, meeting with our employees, customers, suppliers and dealers, and working with the GM leadership team, I was both honored and pleased to accept this role.  This is a great company with an even greater future, and I want to be part of it."

"We've made significant progress in the past couple of months, so much so that I can confirm with certainty that we will pay back in full the U.S. Treasury and Canadian and Ontario government loans by June," Whitacre said.  "This represents a significant milestone in our journey back to being a profitable and viable company."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Safety Council President Janet Froetscher recently announced the creation of FocusDriven, the first national nonprofit organization devoted specifically to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The group will be led by Jennifer Smith, who has been an outspoken advocate against distracted driving since her mother was killed by someone talking on his cell phone while driving in 2008.

FocusDriven is a direct outgrowth of the September 2009 national Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C., which NAFA participated. Since the two-day meeting that brought together affected families, law enforcement, researchers, public officials, and others, family members of distracted driving victims have worked to establish an advocacy organization with support from the Department of Transportation and the National Safety Council (NSC). FocusDriven's new website, www.focusdriven.org, hosts information on distracted driving, help for victims and family members, and ways to get involved.

For more information about preventing distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov, www.nsc.org, and www.focusdriven.org.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) encouraged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to focus on driver behavior as a top safety priority in its 2010-2015 Strategic Plan.  Most of ATA's recommendations are part of the progressive safety agenda it adopted in 2008.

In comments filed Jan. 5, 2010, ATA told NHTSA that distracted driving, speeding, and aggressive driving are all dangerous behaviors, particularly as highway congestion worsens as a result of U.S. freight volume growing faster than highway capacity. Congestion is a major factor in highway safety because it is particularly difficult for on-board safety systems to function properly at low speeds and in close-following conditions.

To combat driver-related safety risks, ATA expressed support of more consistent and uniform requirements from state to state on driver licensing and graduated driver licensing for non-commercial teen drivers, as recommended in ATA's 18-point safety agenda. ATA supports education and enforcement programs, such as Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT), which targets the problem behaviors of both passenger and commercial motor vehicle drivers.

ATA also voiced support for legislation to improve traffic safety through safer driving speeds. The ATA recommended reinstating a national maximum speed limit of 65 mph for all vehicles and electronically governing the speed of all Class 7 and 8 trucks manufactured after 1992 to 65 mph or less. The ATA recommended that states should also consider the use of speed limiters on the passenger vehicles of drivers with certain driving convictions.

For more than 20 years, Ohio residents had the entire month of their birthdays to register their vehicles, but many are finding that grace period is over.

Due to the passing of House Bill 2 (the Transportation Budget), on March 30, 2009, a number of fee increases have impacted the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) as well as the wallets of many motorists.  The most monetarily felt was a $20 fee for all late license and vehicle registration renewals, which began last October.

Other fees that began on Oct. 1 included Vision Screening Fee (increase of $1.75, impacts all operator license renewal transactions including standard driver license, commercial driver license, and motorcycle endorsement); Temporary Tag Fee (increase of $8); Registration for Personalized Plates (increase of $15); and Registration for Initial Reserve Plates (increase of $15).

The BMV began notifying customers of these changes on July 1, 90 days in advance, through notifications on the standard mail-in renewal notices sent to each customer with a vehicle registered in his or her name. 

While the BMV collects and administers these fees, the funds support the operations of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The BMV claims that fees for driver licensing and vehicle registration support the Patrol because those driving on Ohio's highways are most likely to directly benefit from the services of the Patrol, but some feel that the increased fees are due to the phasing out of gas tax funding that supported the Highway Patrol. 

For more information on the total cost for each transaction impacted by these changes, visit www.bmv.ohio.gov.  The information is located in several different places, including "Fees for Services," "Vehicle Registration and License Plate, click on Vehicle Registration Fees," and is updated on OPLATES for those customers renewing their registrations online.

The Air Resources Board is proposing to amend its tire inflation regulation, which will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining consumer options for auto owners to ensure they are not required to make purchases when automotive repair shops check tire inflation levels.

The regulation, which provides better fuel economy, reduced carbon emissions, and increased safety, provides state vehicle owners having their vehicles serviced the option to either agree to have their tires inflated at the facility or to do it later on their own

Proper tire inflation is estimated to annually:

• Eliminate 700,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduce the state's fuel consumption by 75 million gallons.
• Extend the average tire's useful life by 4,700 miles.

ARB will work with the Bureau of Automotive Repair to provide outreach on the implementation of this program, which ARB adopted in March. The 40,000 service providers subject to the regulation include smog check stations, engine repair facilities, and oil service providers. Those not included are car wash, body and paint, and glass repair businesses.

The cost of implementing the regulation balanced with the benefits from the measures will save the average Californian $12 per year in wasted gas mileage.  The regulation is one in a series that ARB has adopted over the past several years to meet the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act or AB 32, signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006, that seeks to reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by the year 2020.

Long-haul truckers in California are already on the road to saving money and reducing air pollution, due to a new regulation designed to improve fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Adopted by the Air Resources Board in December 2008, and effective at beginning of January 2010, the aim of the regulation is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from tractor-trailer rigs operating within the state. It requires rig owners to use low-rolling resistance tires and approved aerodynamic devices on their affected vehicles, either by replacing or retrofitting the vehicles according to a staggered schedule.

Between 2010 and 2020, ARB estimates that this regulation will save about $8.6 billion, as well as 750 million gallons of diesel fuel in California and 5 billion gallons of diesel fuel across the nation. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalents by 2020, statewide.

Detailed information about the regulation is available at www.arb.ca.gov/cc/hdghg/hdghg.htm. Business owners can also call the ARB diesel hotline at 1 866 6DIESEL (634-3735) or send an e-mail to 8666diesel@arb.ca.gov.

House of Commons Prorogation

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has prorogued the House of Commons, ending the second session of the 40th Parliament. It will resume sitting following the Vancouver Olympics, beginning with a Throne Speech on March 3 followed by a budget on March 4.

Prorogation has the effect of terminating all legislation, with the exception of private member's business, that has yet to receive royal assent. This means returning bills will need to redo all stages of the legislative process, including committee hearings. Private members' bills will continue at whichever stage they were at prior to prorogation.

While the House is prorogued, House of Commons and Senate Committees are dissolved and, resultantly, unable to meet. Normally, party composition of committees does not change between sessions. However, the Prime Minister is expected to appoint a number of Senators during the break, giving the Conservatives a plurality in the upper chamber and entitling the party to greater, if not majority, representation on Senate committees. This will allow the government to have greater control in maneuvering legislation through the Senate. Previously, Senate Committees have been controlled by the Liberals, who have occasionally delayed or altered legislation.

During this prorogation, we will continue moving forward with the activities/projects as part of your outlined advocacy initiatives.  As new information continues to develop, you will be provided with updates.

Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Alana Fontaine at:

Office: 1-866-935-9969
E-mail: nafa@impactcanada.com

Government of Canada Releases 2010 Automobile Deduction Limits and Expense Benefit Rates

Federal Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty announced the automobile expense deduction limits and the prescribed rates for the automobile operating expense benefit that will apply in 2010.

Announced in December 2009, all of the limits and rates in effect in 2009 will continue to apply in 2010.  Five specific measures were announced:

1. The ceiling on the capital cost of passenger vehicles for capital cost allowance (CCA) purposes will remain at $30,000 (plus applicable federal and provincial sales taxes) for purchases after 2009. This ceiling restricts the cost of a vehicle on which CCA may be claimed for business purposes.
2. The maximum allowable interest deduction for amounts borrowed to purchase an automobile will remain at $300 per month for loans related to vehicles acquired after 2009.
3. The limit on deductible leasing costs will remain at $800 per month (plus applicable federal and provincial sales taxes) for leases entered into after 2009. This limit is one of two restrictions on the deduction of automobile lease payments. A separate restriction prorates deductible lease costs where the value of the vehicle exceeds the capital cost ceiling.
4. The limit on the deduction of tax-exempt allowances paid by employers to employees using their personal vehicle for business purposes for 2010 will remain at 52 cents per kilometre for the first 5,000 kilometres driven and 46 cents for each additional kilometre. For Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the tax-exempt allowance will remain at 56 cents for the first 5,000 kilometres driven and 50 cents for each additional kilometre.
5. The general prescribed rate used to determine the taxable benefit relating to the personal portion of automobile operating expenses paid by employers for 2010 will remain at 24 cents per kilometre. For taxpayers employed principally in selling or leasing automobiles, the prescribed rate will remain at 21 cents per kilometre. The additional benefit of having an employer-provided vehicle available for personal use (i.e., the automobile standby charge) is calculated separately and is also included in the employee's income.

Ontario Government Announces Improved Protection for Automobile Purchasers

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Government have announced that they are providing consumers with improved protections when they buy or lease new and used cars.

New requirements have been outlined under the province's new Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2002 (MVDA), which came into force on Jan. 1, 2010.  Specifically, dealers are required to:

• Disclose a vehicle's true condition and history before consumers sign contracts; and
• Adopt "all-inclusive pricing" when advertising new and used vehicles, including freight, dealer preparation, and other miscellaneous charges.

Additionally, consumers will have the option to cancel a contract within 90 days if a dealer fails to disclose certain important factors such as accurate odometer-readings, the correct year or model, and the previous use of the vehicle.

Finally, the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund will provide further protection for consumers.  With an increase from $15,000 to $45,000 in coverage, consumers will be able to recover deposits in the case of a dealership going out of business.

Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles of 2010 Unveiled

The Government of Canada has released the fuel consumption ratings for 2010 model year vehicles and has announced the winners of the most fuel-efficient vehicles sold in Canada.

A guide outlining the most fuel-efficient vehicles of 2010 is available online at www.vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca. Consumers are able to use the ratings tool to compare the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of new cars and light-duty trucks sold in Canada.  The website also allows users to conveniently search for vehicles by class, make, transmission, or fuel type and display the results sorted by model, fuel efficiency, or carbon dioxide emissions.

Nova Scotia Announces New Investments in Green Transportation and Technology Projects

Nova Scotia Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau and Bill Estabrooks, Minister responsible for Conserve Nova Scotia, have announced a $4.25 million investment from the province to support fuel-efficient transportation and technology programs.  The investment will help Nova Scotians save money on fuel and protect the environment.

The investment will help support the following transportation programs:

• $1.35 million to equip school buses with fuel-efficient technology such as heaters and timers, route optimization software, and emission control technology.
• $1 million for anti-idling devices, aerodynamic improvements, fuel-efficient tires, and other fuel-reducing technologies for heavy duty class 8 trucks.
• $1 million towards the purchase of heavy duty hybrid vehicles, including bucket trucks and other fleet vehicles.
• $150,000 for a public education and awareness campaign promoting fuel-efficient personal vehicles.

The remaining $750,000 will go towards the expansion of an existing program that helps ice rink facilities install energy and cost-saving lighting and other energy efficiency improvements.

The investment will come from the ecoNova Scotia Clean Air and Climate Change fund.  The projects will be governed and delivered by Conserve Nova Scotia.

I hate to admit it, but I've been repeating a phrase in my first-quarter presentations for a few years now: "Aren't we glad last year is over."

Unfortunately, I know that FleetFOCUS readers know where I'm coming from.

Regardless of the number of vehicles in their fleets, the pressures on businesses and fleet managers in 2009 were unprecedented.

During the first half of 2009, fleet downsizing meant that commercial and government fleets remarketed more vehicles than they purchased. In the second half of the year, fleet purchases and remarketing volumes were approximately equal as fleets took advantage of high used vehicle values to remarket high-mileage units.

Major commercial and government fleets purchased 570,000 new vehicles in 2009, down from 872,000 in 2008. Purchases of 2009 model-year vehicles declined even more dramatically as many fleets deferred purchases during the spring buying cycle. Purchases picked up in the fourth quarter but still remained below 2008 levels.

Fleet Purchases Should Recover in 2010 But Remain Well Below Historic Peaks

The drop in purchases was greatest for commercial fleets, especially those with large sales forces on the road. Corporate downsizing and consolidation reduced sales staffs in pharmaceutical, high-tech, and industrial companies. Falling tax revenues and job cuts forced reductions in local and state government fleets, but the federal government purchased an additional 25,000 vehicles in the second half of 2009 as part of the stimulus pro-gram.

What's ahead for 2010? Even as the economy slowly recovers and lenders ease credit terms for fleet financing, it is unlikely that total fleet purchases will get to a million vehicles a year. Fleet budgets have been squeezed for several years. The recession has forced fleet managers to eliminate excess units, extend service lives, and select vehicles with the lowest operating costs. Nevertheless, fleets are expected to increase vehicle purchases in 2010 as more units reach their maximum service life.

Fleet Selector Lists Added More Brand Choices for 2010 Model Year

Despite the bankruptcies of GM and Chrysler, the three domestic automakers maintained a dominant share of the fleet market in 2009. Although fleet customers are known for their loyalty to a manufacturer, Ford picked up sales while Chrysler lost. Recent additions to Ford's lineup, such as the well received Fusion and new Taurus, contributed to Ford's gain. Chrysler's choppy restart of production after emerging from bankruptcy, along with its greater dependence on SUV and trucks, contributed to its lower share in the fleet market. In the past, commercial fleets often concentrated their purchases within a single automaker, but now most companies include models from at least two assemblers in their selector lists.

The restructurings of General Motors and Chrysler created unique challenges for fleet managers; even though both manufacturers experienced prolonged plant closings prior to and during their bankruptcies, they were able to work with fleet customers to ensure that their orders were filled in a timely manner. Weak retail demand and excess dealer inventory gave assemblers some flexibility in responding to fleet orders. Nevertheless, fleets did encounter delivery delays as railcars and truckers waited for full loads. Dealership closures added to the confusion.

Franchised Dealer Terminations Present Some Logistical Challenges for Fleet Managers

For example, Chrysler terminated 789 dealers by the end of the third quarter. Fleet vehicles scheduled for delivery to those dealerships had to be rerouted to other stores, adding time to the order-to-delivery schedule.

In all, General Motors and Chrysler might terminate more than 2,000 dealers by the second half of 2010. By streamlining their distribution networks, both companies expect to save money and raise the profitability of surviving dealers. Fleet managers, however, value these large dealer networks, which allow drivers to take delivery and get warranty service anywhere in the country. With fewer dealers, especially outside of metro areas, access to courtesy deliveries and warranty service might be less convenient.

Fleet managers are also concerned that the incentive payments that were once common practice for exceeding volume targets with a given manufacturer will shrink, resulting in much higher effective pricing for fleet vehicles. Given the elimination of excess capacity and price hikes on imports due to the weak dollar, this is something all fleet managers should keep a close eye on in 2010.

All told, it's going to be another challenging year. At Manheim, we remain as committed as ever to working hand in hand with our fleet customers to develop solutions that optimize remarketing results even during these tough times. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to discuss a strategy customized to your needs.

By James M.Spellissy, Vice President, Business Development for PHH Arval

This year's Institute and Expo will be held in Detroit, Mich., the home of Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. NAFA's I&E is the only industry conference to provide you with fuel options, industry segments, new vehicles, networking opportunities, and an endless amount of information. There's no better place to hold the fleet management event of the year than Detroit, which put life and soul into the automotive industry.

In addition to being the hub of the automotive industry, Detroit also:

• Shares the oldest first auto traffic tunnel between the United States and Canada.
• Has the second tallest hotel in the United States.
• Is home of Motown, founded by Berry Gordy in 1957.
• Is the potato chip capital of the world.
• Is home to the oldest state fair in the nation.
• Has the most registered bowlers in the United States. 
• Is home to the world's only floating post office.

Detroit is also known as Motown, The Motor City, Paris of the Midwest, The "D" Hockeytown, and (my favorite) the original French pronunciation of "day-twah." The city of Detroit was founded in 1701, is home to 850,000 people, and is nestled on 143 square miles.

As one of the oldest cities in the Midwest, Detroit not only has the ambiance and industry directive to be the perfect location for the I&E, but it also offers historic manufacturing facilities as well as exquisite structures built by the city's early nouveau riche.

The Cobo Center, the location of NAFA's 2010 I&E, is just another example of the city's vitality and continuing structural growth. The Cobo Center is the centerpiece of Detroit's Civic Center and the heart of the Motor City's booming downtown development. Cobo's 700,000 square feet of prime exhibit space in five exhibit halls rank the facility as the 19th largest convention center in the country.

NAFA's I&E, held April 24 through April 27, will prove to be "not your same old I&E event." Flexible scheduling (to allow attendees to make the most of their time), diversified sponsorship opportunities, and the newly created Networking Welcome Reception will pave the way for I&E events in the future.

Register now and make the most of this valuable opportunity to begin a new NAFA tradition!

For registration questions, please contact:
Registration Management, Inc.
P: 952.858.8406
registration@nafa.org 

For exhibitor or sponsorship questions, please contact:
Scott Groves
P: 770.576.4971
nafa@cmgexpo.com

See you in the "D"!

More than 100 Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced vehicles will be placed with universities, private companies, and government agencies in both California and New York as part of a nationwide demonstration program over the next three years.

Toyota's demonstration program expansion will provide one of the largest fleets of active fuel cell vehicles in the country with the primary goal of spurring essential hydrogen infrastructure development.  The demonstration program also will serve to demonstrate fuel cell technologies reliability and performance prior to its 2015 market introduction.   

"We plan to come to market in 2015 or earlier with a vehicle that will be reliable and durable, with exceptional fuel economy and zero emissions, at an affordable price," said Irv Miller, TMS Group Vice President of Environmental and Public Affairs.  "Toyota will not be alone in the fuel cell marketplace, and building an extensive hydrogen re-fueling infrastructure is the critical next step.  Hopefully, expansion of demonstration programs like this one will serve as a catalyst."

Ricardo, Inc., in collaboration with PEP Stations LLC, unveiled a new electric vehicle charging station at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Detroit's Cobo Center.

The new PEP Station is aimed at building a solid charging infrastructure as the electric vehicle market begins to grow. Similar to a standard fuel pump, the PEP Station allows drivers of electric vehicles to access electricity via an access card or credit card. The entire process is as easy as traditional methods of fueling vehicles but is done in a clean, eco-conscious manner.

The PEP Station has been developed to complement the release of electric vehicles in the second half of 2010. Although electric vehicle owners can charge at home, in order for the owner to roam with total confidence, an infrastructure for out-of-home charging must be developed to make charging easy. The PEP Station was designed to be a smart, stylish, and simple charging station for the electric vehicle driver of today and tomorrow.

"The first question most people ask when they begin to toy with the idea of owning an electric vehicle is, 'How much will I save in gas?'" says PEP Stations President James Blain. "Equally as important as the first question, the second question is, 'Where will I charge my vehicle?' That's where we come in. As the electric vehicle market begins to flourish, consumers will need a convenient, reliable, and easily accessible way to charge their vehicle outside of the home. It's that simple. The PEP Station does just that in a safe, reliable, user-friendly, 220V charging station that can easily be installed at commercial destinations.

Early Bird Registration Fee: There is still time to take advantage of the limited-time, valuable savings NAFA is offering for the 2010 I&E. Register by Feb. 20, 2010 and save $50 off the on-site registration fee.

Join NAFA and Save More Than $500 on Full I&E Registration: Join today and recieve all the benefits of NAFA membership while saving more than $500 on your I&E registration fees.

Government Room Rates Available: This year at I&E, government room rates will be available to attendees. Click here for hotel reservations.

NAFA is pulling out all the stops to make the 2010 I&E even better! I&E is not the "same old, same old" -- we're building on its strengths and incorporating feedback. NAFA's goal is simply to make I&E the most valuable networking, business, and educational event in the fleet industry.

Don't Get Left Behind! Join Your Fleet Colleagues at the Fleet Event of the Year! 

What's New and Exciting This Year?

• All education sessions, workshops, the Public Safety Group Roadeo, and the Ride-and-Drive will occur either before or after the Expo Floor hours so you won't miss valuable time on the floor!
• The Networking Welcome Reception, our annual opening night party, will now take place on the Expo Floor, so you can network in a relaxing atmosphere with some great food and drink.

Register NOW and save $50 off the on-site registration fee! Don't miss your chance to attend the only conference this year that will give you everything pertinent to today's fleet professional.

Public Safety Group (PSG) Roadeo

Join your fellow Public Safety Fleet Managers at the PSG Roadeo on Saturday, April 24 from 10:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Test your prowess behind the wheel and try to beat your peers at timed events. Public safety demonstrations and other emergency service vehicles will be on display. This year, the New Product Information: Light Duty Public Safety Vehicles educational session will be held at the Roadeo site.

Vehicles at the Roadeo will be provided by various manufacturers including Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. 

This special event is restricted to registrants with a Public Safety badge and OEM manufacturers who bring vehicles, equipment, and apparatuses to the Roadeo for driving or static display. A valid driver's license required if you plan on participating in this event.

PSG Sessions at the I&E
Click here for more information

New Product Information: Light Duty Public Safety Vehicles, offered Saturday, April 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Are you interested in knowing what tomorrow will bring for the public safety sector vehicles? Attend this session to get a look at the future through insight from major manufacturers. This year, this informative session will be held at the Public Safety Group (PSG) Roadeo site, and transportation to and from the site will be provided. Come learn from the manufacturers about exciting new products and join in the fun of the Roadeo.

Public Safety Group (PSG) Workshop: Offered Sunday, April 25 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.  Join your Public Safety peers in this open forum to actively discuss the unique issues, trends, and challenges faced by fleet managers who manage public safety fleets.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Problem Report Dialogue: Offered Monday, April 26, from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Listen to and discuss the problems that your Public Safety Group colleagues have with the vehicles specifically designed for public safety operations. The manufacturers will review identified problems in advance, address each problem during the session, and provide a recommended action when you experience a like condition.

New Product Information: Fire & EMS/Rescue Vehicles. Offered Tuesday, April 27, from 9:45 a.m. to 10 :45 a.m. Are you interested in knowing what tomorrow will bring for Fire & EMS/Rescue sector vehicles? Attend this session to get a look at the future through insight from major manufacturers. Come learn from the manufacturers about exciting new products.

Fleet Manager's Public Safety Fleet Personal and Organizational Liability. Offered Tuesday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to noon. Are you interested in knowing what your liability is when it comes to equipment -- not just to Fire Apparatus, but to all the vehicles that are under your control? Do you realize you can be held personally liable both criminal and civil for your actions or lack of? We will also take a look at the broader concepts of vehicular crashworthiness, occupant ejections, structural integrity, dynamic stability, and occupant protection. We will extensively discuss potential criminal and civil liability issues associated with these and other similar incidents, and we will review some of the newer safety technologies that are now becoming available for incorporation into well-designed fire apparatus to enhance occupant protection.

Driver Transportation Options Print & e-Download

This 154-page compilation of information was developed for a manager's review and evaluation of providing business transportation to employees (an updated version of the former Driver Reimbursement Option). Order Today!

NAFA provides space in each issue of the FleetFOCUS for companies and organizations to advertise career opportunities in the fleet industry. Members also can 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 website are suggested. Please note all of the materials a candidate must supply 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 Maureen Smith at msmith@nafa.org.

Fleet Management Analyst - Durham, NE

Section Manager – Streets & Fleet - North Vancouver, BC

Automotive Working Supervisor - New Rochelle, NY

Resume Bank

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. For a small cost, employers will be provided with new, up-to-date resumes that fit the job.

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 also can 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).

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

January and February are busy with meetings!

January 28, 2010
Pacific Northwest Chapter - Portland Int'l Auto Show
Location: Portland Int'l Auto Show, Oregon Convention Center
Contact: Lance Keith, 541.681.5304 or log on to www.cwcleancities.org
 
January 28, 2010
St. Louis Gateway Chapter Auto Show
Location: Holiday Inn Exress, St. Louis, Mo.
Contact: Bob Hornsey, 314.615.5333, RHornsey@stlouisco.com

February 2, 2010
North Central Chapter - Changing Driver Behavior
Location: Ecolab Schuman Campus, Eagan, MN
Contact: Leroy Pavek, 952.997.1276, Leroy.pavek@agstar.com 
 
February 4, 2010
Philadelphia Chapter - Philadelphia Auto Show
Location: ARAMARK
Contact: Jonathan D. Kamanns, 484.563-5402, kamannsj@wyeth.com
 
February 9, 2010
Michigan Chapter - Board Meeting
Location: Metropolitan Hotel, Romulus, Mich.
Contact: Steven Pederson, 248.597.3522, steven.pederson@vpsiinc.com

• Preventive maintenance and warranty operations. 
• Shop operations. 
• Environmental issues. 
• Inventory management. 
• Benchmarking staff performance. 
• Outsourcing. 
• Maintenance staffing.

The guide is available in three 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 that's ready to be shared with other members of your fleet management team or added to the department's reference shelves.

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 websites provide direct access to current information on fuels and pricing, as well as from government authorities, non-profit and Association websites, 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 easy use, especially when you're sharing references with colleagues. Order today!

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 legislative issues impacting the fleet industry. These updates, e-mailed to NAFA Members the first week of each month, are posted in PDF format in the MEMBERS ONLY SECTION on www.nafa.org.

Legislative updates are issued monthly to NAFA Members and are 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 or place of work, or retire.

Just two easy steps can help 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 on specific topics that are important to you.
• An Affiliate product or service; you can choose from more than 50 categories.

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 educational 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 educational content and reference materials. Visit FleetED at www.nafa.org/fleeted.

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.