Paul Clinton is the senior web editor for Automotive Fleet, Fleet Financials, Government Fleet, Green Fleet, Vehicle Remarketing, and Work Truck. He managed PoliceMag.com and led coverage of police vehicles for Police magazine. He previously covered automotive electronics as managing editor for Mobile Electronics.
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets from eight manufactures increased 8.8% to 743,210 in 2018, even with a weaker December, on the strength of sales of trucks, SUVs, and vans that accounted for nearly nine units out of every 10 sold.
In November, sales of vehicles to commercial fleets increased 18.2% to 60,967, while sales into daily rental increased 6.4% to 122,433. Sales to government agencies increased 4.6% to 20,386.
Commercial sales increased 10.3% in October, while sales to government agencies increased 1%. Sales into daily rental increased 0.2%.
Several North Carolina used vehicle auctions closed as a result of Hurricane Florence sweeping into the state, while others shifted to online sales or delayed on-site sales.
Sales of vehicles to commercial fleets increased 6.3%, while sales into daily rental increased 44.9%. Sales to government fleets increased 13%.
Geotab's leaders have positioned the company to welcome technology mega-trends that will reshape the landscape for commercial telematics in the coming years such as connected vehicles, electrification, smart cities, and data-driven analysis, co-founder Colin Sutherland told attendees of Geotab Connect earlier this month.
Buick and Lexus ranked highest in overall vehicle dependability, which improved 9% overall in the past year, according to J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study. Fleets using a three-year replacement model may benefit from higher resale prices.
As many as 400,000 vehicles in Florida will need to be replaced as a result of Hurricane Irma, including as many as 11,000 fleet vehicles, according to Cox Automotive.