Chris Brown

Associate Publisher

As associate publisher of Automotive Fleet, Auto Rental News, and Fleet Forward, Chris Brown covers all aspects of fleets, transportation, and mobility. Chris produces and emcees the annual International Car Rental Show, the largest event serving the auto rental industry worldwide. Chris also created and produces the Fleet Forward Conference along with regional Tour stops, the Fleet Safety Conference, and DeliveryCon, for the last-mile delivery fleet market.

Chris has won publishing awards for editorial excellence including a Jesse H. Neal Award, three Folio: Eddie Awards, and three Maggie Awards. As an internationally recognized expert on fleets, auto rental and mobility, Chris has spoken at industry events in the U.S., Brazil, Ireland, and China. He has appeared on Good Morning America and has been sourced and quoted in national media such as Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and National Public Radio.

Articles•by Chris Brown•November 18, 2019

Are We Reaching a Used Car Segment Tipping Point?

The used car market has adopted a Swiss Army-knife approach to managing the “off-lease tsunami,” which turned into a manageable rising tide. Are new market dynamics breathing life into a segment left for a dead, the midsize sedan?

Articles•by Chris Brown•November 6, 2019

Is B2B a New Growth Area for Car Rental?

Regarding the company’s TNC and last-mile delivery rentals, “I think that business could double its current size,” said Hertz CEO Kathy Marinello on the company’s third quarter conference call.

Auto Rental Focus•by Chris Brown•October 8, 2019

The Brazilian Car Rental Market is Booming — In Some Sectors

The major Brazilian car rental companies are on a buying spree, while long-term rentals to commercial customers are keeping the independents afloat. The biggest story, however, is that rental companies are now the biggest suppliers of cars to ride-hailing drivers in the country.

Auto Rental Focus•by Chris Brown•September 30, 2019

When Industry Groups Go to Capitol Hill

Walking into a representative’s or senator’s office to cogently deliver a message that will inspire change is an exhilarating, exhausting, and daunting task. Here’s an inside look on how these meetings go down.

Auto Rental Focus•by Chris Brown•September 11, 2019

My Experience Renting a Car from Lyft at LAX

Lyft’s car rental service offers renters some great perks, though it doesn’t yet have the big-volume problems that airport car rental companies experience.

News•by Chris Brown•August 21, 2019

Hertz Weighs in on Fox Sale to Europcar

Hertz CEO Kathy Marinello said investing in Dollar and Thrifty, its own value-oriented brands, allow Hertz to better compete in the premium segment.

Auto Rental Focus•by Chris Brown•August 21, 2019

Avis’s Connected Car Initiatives Bearing Fruit Sooner than Expected

Avis’s expansion of its TNC rentals program depends on its ability to manage vehicle mileage and telemetry, made possible by a connected car.

Auto Rental Focus•by Chris Brown•August 14, 2019

Fox Sells to Europcar: What Now?

One of the final consolidations in U.S. car rental, the acquisition has ramifications in both the leisure and corporate markets, as well as for other brands.

Articles•by Chris Brown•August 6, 2019

Hot Takes: Mobility Initiatives We Could See Sooner, and Why

In this analysis of recent mobility news, we apply the “efficiencies, cost, savings, fewer tech hurdles” rule to see which new mobility models might be deployed sooner than we think.

Articles•by Chris Brown•August 5, 2019

How Fleets Access — and Supply — the Turo for Work Trucks

Fetch is an on-demand peer-to-peer rental service for pickups, box trucks, and cargo vans. Cofounder Adam Steinberg says the commercial side is its fastest growing segment.

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