Editorial :
OEMs take the lead in technogical innovation
Times are still tough, and all industries are facing major challenges. Car manufacturing is suffering its share of economic hardship – but it also faces a few unique challenges of its own. In particular the race to integrate environmental requirements into its processes and products.
While 2010 will still be a difficult year for the industry, signs of renewed vigour and initiative are stirring. At the recent Geneva Auto Show, the continuous fight for improvement and add-on services was in full evidence. Especially in the way OEMs took up the challenge to reduce the carbon footprint by accelerating their adoption of new technologies.
In Fleet Europe's annual report on manufacturers' strategies towards international fleet clients, we compiled a 'road map' of their different approaches regarding fleets, products and services. In recent years, the automotive industry has been through quite a few changes, most notably the ongoing quest for fuel-efficient vehicles in general, and low-emission engines in particular. The next big change will be the introduction of electric vehicles.
However, the introduction of electric (and hybrid) vehicles tells only half the story. Manufacturers are gaining expertise in vehicle management electronics. Integrating telematics in vehicles might lead to a whole new range of integrated management efficiency and effectiveness tools. Telematics will certainly open up new possibilities in managing - and reporting - both fleets and drivers. If fleet owners and OEMs might have grown somewhat apart over the last decade, the future of fleet management points to a renewed intensification of their collaboration – because OEMs now truly focus on the needs of their fleet customers. OEMs are now actively working with their professional clients, to facilitate the switch from the 'common' business car to the concept of business mobility, integrating different types of vehicles and mobility solutions...
Caroline Thonnon
Chief Editor Fleet Europe
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