If your company or organization utilizes vehicles at different sites around the country or around the globe, you know that managing fleet logistics can be a real headache. The work of maintaining and distributing vehicles are costly and can be even more costly if you fail to anticipate the unexpected challenges you will face on a day to day basis. These challenges become even more pressing when relocating vehicles within your fleet.
Let’s take a look at the steps necessary to maintain the level of fleet logistics so that you can streamline your fleet relocation needs.
Create a Comprehensive Fleet Relocation Plan
A thorough fleet logistics plan will include the following elements.
- Identifying your fleet needs
- Setting up an acquisition vehicle process
- Ascertaining liability and determining insurance requirements
- Setting up a vehicle leasing program
- Prioritizing vehicle maintenance
- Setting clear guidelines for vehicle use
- Complying with all safety requirements
What Kinds of Vehicles Do You Need?
A fundamental part of maintaining an efficient and functioning fleet is to make sure you have the right vehicles for your needs but not more than you need. For example, are your people going to be driving offroad? Do you want to improve your carbon footprint by using electric vehicles? If so, are there charging stations available in the areas where your vehicles will be operating?
If you are planning vehicle relocation or you regularly relocate vehicles in your fleet to maintain balance, then you will want to make sure your vehicle requirements take into account all environments in which the vehicles will be driven.
Where Will You Get Your Vehicles From?
In establishing a relationship with a car manufacturer or fleet dealership, begin by providing a list of desired vehicle types and features, including makes, models, and body type. Consistency in vehicle types and the number of vehicles ordered can often result in more advantageous pricing on a per-unit basis.
What Are Your Insurance Needs?
If you are purchasing fleet insurance for vehicles your organization owns, be sure that they are insured at least to the minimum legal requirements in the jurisdiction in which they are being operated. And employees should be aware of necessary procedures in case of an accident.
If your fleet vehicles are leased, your fleet managers may use the insurance provided by the lessor or amend according to your organization’s specific needs. In either case, if vehicles in your fleet are being relocated, you will want to make sure that the vehicle’s insurance is consistent with local law.
Does Leasing Make More Sense?
Some of the advantages of leasing your fleet from a fleet logistics standpoint are that maintenance costs are built into the leasing agreement and you don’t have to maintain a repair operation in-house. There are no major vehicle purchases against your bottom line, and there is reduced risk due to theft or accident. In short, your business or organization is not tied up with extensive unwanted physical plant issues.
Leasing can also be an effective option if your company is regularly relocating your vehicle and not all of your locations are equipped for vehicle maintenance.
What about Maintenance?
Whether your company owns its vehicles outright or is leasing its vehicles, a comprehensive maintenance plan is an essential part of fleet logistics. Routine and preventative maintenance schedules should be created for every vehicle and records maintained for each. While the fleet manager will often delegate repair and maintenance tasks, they should be on top of any additional repairs and test-drive every vehicle on a regular basis.
Who’s Driving?
Any organization in which its employees are driving company vehicles will want to have a written policy on vehicle use. This will cover rules regarding driving, including banning drug or alcohol use while driving and requiring that speed limits must be followed.
Additionally, who is and is not able to drive the vehicle should be specified, including rules barring unauthorized passengers and specifying if or when a spouse or other family member may drive the vehicle, and in some cases, a mileage limit for personal use of the vehicle.
How Do We Put Safety First?
The first goal of fleet logistics should be to maintain a strict routine, including written policies on safe vehicle operation, accident reports, orderly maintenance of repair stations, secure storage of fuel or other flammables, and theft prevention.
Where Can I Find Experts in Fleet Logistics to Handle My Fleet Relocation?
While there are many companies that can relocate a vehicle, there are only a few that can handle the complexities of fleet location, whether it is for balancing out the fleet or expansion into new territories, you will want to work with a company like Trans Global Auto Logistics that has over 30 years of experience in fleet logistics and have the know-how to handle your fleet relocation needs. If you’re looking for a company that can set all your fleet relocation worries aside, reach out to us today.
