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•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?

News•by Chris Brown•December 30, 2020

Analysts Are Bullish on Avis

Market watchers are pegging Avis Budget Group’s recent stock spike to the vaccine rollout. They cite the company’s ability to adjust fleet to demand, its solid financial position regarding fleet debt, and its success in removing $2.5 billion in costs for 2020.