In this month's The First Word, NAFA Executive Director Phil Russo, CAE, discusses the association's strategic plan, its goals, and what it means for the membership.
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Take some time now to complete NAFA’s "Education Needs" survey. Enter your contact information at the end, and you may be the winner of a free registration to your choice of any of NAFA’s upcoming educational events, valued at up to $700, but don't delay -- this survey closes on June 11.
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NAFA is conducting a comprehensive survey on new vehicle acquisition. This in-depth survey takes a look at several aspects of new vehicle acquisition including procurement, selector lists, order and delivery, OEM preferences, and executive fleets. Participate today -- this survey closes on Wednesday (June 6).
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06/08 - Western Canada; 06/11 - North Central; 06/12 - New Jersey; 06/13 - New England; 06/14 - New York-InterCounty; 06/15 - Ontario; 06/21 - Great Lakes, Atlanta, and Carolinas; and 06/28 - NorCal-Northern Nevada.
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Inrix recently released its fifth annual National Traffic Scorecard report revealing traffic congestion decreased thirty percent from 2010 to 2011. The last time America experienced such a significant drop in traffic congestion was 2008 when traffic congestion plummeted thirty percent as the country fell into the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.
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Despite a recovering auto industry, accessory sales to new vehicle buyers declined this past year. Contributing factors include the economy's impact on shifting demographics, consumer restraint on spending, and dealers dialing back accessory sales efforts.
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The American Trucking Associations' advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 1.1 percent in April after increasing 0.6 percent in March. Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 67.2 percent of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods.
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Anne Steckel, Vice President of Federal Affairs for the National Biodiesel Board, released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech on May 25 in Newton, IA: "We were happy to hear President Obama reaffirm his support for renewable energy and biofuels to assist in achieving an all-of-the-above energy strategy."
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New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Executive Analysis of the European and North American LPG and CNG Original Equipment Market, finds that the alternate fuel vehicle market is set for close to 900,000 in unit sales in the European market and nearly 250,000 in unit sales in the North American market by 2018.
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Telematics company Telogis, Inc. and fuel card management company FleetCor Technologies, Inc. announced on May 23 a global partnership for the integration of telematics and fuel card reporting.
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NAFA has submitted comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the proposed Visual-Manual Driver Distraction Guidelines for In-Vehicle Electronic Devices. Also, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hosted a technical workshop on May 18 to discuss regulatory and safety considerations for electric vehicles.
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Remote Diagnostics aftermarket service for North America will now be standard on all Volvo-powered VN model highway trucks. Also, new drinking and driving restrictions are now in place for young drivers in Quebec.
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Just over a month after consumers and neighborhood repairers packed a Massachusetts State House hearing room to urge passage of Right to Repair legislation, the state's Senate approved the measure with added safeguards to protect both new car dealerships and independent repair professionals.
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With both Democrats and Republicans in rare agreement, autonomous driving is coming a lot closer to reality in California. By a vote of 37-0, the California State Senate approved a bill that would next establish guidelines on and oversight of self-driving vehicles.
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After double-digit percentage gains from January through May 2012, prices on many popular used compact and midsize cars are expected to drop up to five percent in June compared to May, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide.
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Moody’s Investors Service raised Ford’s debt ratings to investment-grade on May 22 for the first time in seven years. The upgrade means that all of Ford’s U.S. assets, including factories, the blue oval, and the trademarks for the F-150 pickup and Mustang sports car, are back in the company’s hands and will no longer be used to secure the company’s debt.
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According to a new survey by Interbrand, which annually tracks the value of major corporate brands, a number of major automakers have landed on their list, starting with BMW, with an estimated brand value of $24.6 billion. BMW was twenty-third overall on their "BrandZ" list.
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General Motors has reversed course and will bring an all-new version of the Cadillac Escalade to market in early 2014. GM decided the Escalade was simply too profitable to let die, and will now turn out a new model sharing platforms with its next-generation Chevrolet and GMC full-size trucks.
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Automakers are using car-share companies to build buzz for some vehicles that have gotten a lot of attention, and even accolades, yet which many consumers have never even seen.
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NAFA welcomes new Members and Affiliates into the Association.
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John Peterson and Johnnie Schmauder, CFM/CAFM mark big anniversaries with NAFA this month.
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NAFA’s new Market Research and Survey Email Service can help NAFA Affiliates reach Members and more!
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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood recorded a personal thank you message to NAFA to accept the first-ever NAFA Safety Leadership Award. This type of recognition is unprecedented in NAFA’s history.
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Global fleet services provider Automotive Resources International (ARI) announced on May 23 that Gregory Raven has been named Manager of Global Sales and Consultation. In his new position, Raven will be responsible for global sales within North America, as well as managing support for ARI's geographically-dispersed Global Consulting team.
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From June 1 to July 31 you can take advantage of some of the NAFA Store's best values -- all education products are on sale for Members and Affiliates during the sale's two-month period. Don't miss out!
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Director, Fleet Asset Management - Memphis, TN; Fleet Operations Manager - Bartow, FL; Fleet Manager - Dayton, OH; Manager, Fleet Services - Surrey, BC; Garage Supervisor - Mobile, AL; Marketing Director - Midwest - Chicago-Northern, IN; Fleet Management Division Chief - Manassas, VA; Lead Fleet Administrator - Edmonton, AB; & Senior Account Manager - Toronto, ON.
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New Jersey has seen a rise of 87.5 percent in fatal traffic accidents involving a red-light runner from 2008 to 2010. In April alone, three fatalities resulted from a reckless driver running a red light in Freehold Township, East Brunswick, and Pohatcong.
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Take NAFA's survey on new vehicle acquisition and you could win an Amazon gift card, but don't delay. This Wednesday, June 6 is the last day! Click here for a chance to participate and win!

FleetFOCUS Newsletter © 2012 NAFA Fleet Management Association

 

NAFA's Chapters are an important element to the Association, so now you can find your meeting listings in the Chapters department of FleetFOCUS!
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Congratulations, you just got a promotion! Best wishes on your retirement! Now what do you do?
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Three online, searchable networking databases will put you in easy touch with all your NAFA colleagues.
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These virtual neighborhoods allow members to easily email others within that community with specific fleet questions.
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Designed to help you quickly find references and educational resources.
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NAFA cares about your privacy. If you prefer not to receive email marketing information from NAFA Fleet Management Association, you have the option to request to be removed from our records by emailing info@nafa.org with such a request. NAFA may use the information you provide for additional NAFA programs, services, and products that we see as being beneficial for you. You will have the option of responding to such an email message with a "click here" directed to info@nafa.org, if you so choose to opt out of future email messages. NAFA does not sell or rent email addresses of prospects, nor does NAFA sell or rent email addresses of our Members and Affiliates.
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NAFA's Law Guide For Fleet Professionals provides the tools to enable a fleet manager to recognize legal challenges and discuss them with legal experts.
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