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.

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. Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and National Public Radio.

News•by Chris Brown•May 11, 2021

Manheim: Mileage on Rental Risk Units Reach Record Highs

For April, Manheim’s rental risk unit share fell to the lowest level since 2002. Rental car companies are net buyers, not sellers, of wholesale used vehicles right now, says Cox Automotive’s Jonathan Smoke.

News•by Chris Brown•May 5, 2021

Automaker Sales to Rental Fleets Crater

Monthly and year-to-date comparisons of rental fleet sales to pre-pandemic periods in 2019 show unprecedented declines.

News•by Chris Brown•May 3, 2021

U.S. Travelers Can Now Rent from Major Car Rental Companies on Uber App

Partnership with CarTrawler allows major car rental companies to rent their cars through the Uber mobile app, with a valet delivery and pickup option managed by Uber.

Articles•by Chris Brown•April 28, 2021

24 Takeaways from the Inaugural Data-Driven Fleet Experience

The virtual conference presented deep dives on how data is fostering intelligent fleets. The seminars, panel discussions, and networking sessions covered connected cars, electrification suitability, OEM-embedded modems, telematics market trends, the rise of third-party data integrators, the migration to 5G, and video telematics.

Articles•by Chris Brown•March 29, 2021

How a Digital Key is Transforming Corporate Carsharing

Keyless technology combined with telematics is moving beyond traditional carsharing to facilitate in-vehicle deliveries, more automated pickup and return processes, and private carsharing trips with business cars.

Articles•by Chris Brown•March 10, 2021

Rental Car Companies Hit with Gift Card Scam

Unsuspecting car rental customers are engaging with fraudulent third-party sites for supposed car rentals. Live operators encourage users buy prepaid gift cards and read the PIN over the phone to secure their “rental.”

Articles•by Chris Brown•February 23, 2021

Avis Answers ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’

During its quarterly investor’s call, Avis Budget Group showed how it’s meeting demand in a dramatically disrupted environment, with insights into sourcing new local market business, the semiconductor chip shortage, and the return of corporate travel.

News•by Chris Brown•February 22, 2021

Car Rental Companies Persevere in Texas

From sleeping at a branch to using a car as an office — despite having no power at home — car rental company employees in Texas weathered the storm to serve customers with resilience and determination.

Articles•by Chris Brown•January 27, 2021

Chip Shortage Is Affecting Rental Car Orders

Due to the global shortage of semiconductors used in automobiles, OEMs are telling car rental companies to expect “significant delays” with fleet orders. One operator has had a large order canceled outright.

Articles•by Chris Brown•January 4, 2021

Assessing the Ford F-150 Hybrid for Fleets

Our test of the new F-150 PowerBoost netted an extraordinary 19.2 average mpg with a 1,732-lb. payload and 25.1 mpg without. Adding PowerBoost’s 12,700 lbs. of max towing, is it blasphemy to finally turn our backs on diesel for true work applications?

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