If you’re like most business owners, fleet owners, or automotive industry professionals who are in charge of logistics for their company, you know it’s your job to make sure that valuable assets are always in the right place at the right time. This can be a difficult task if you don’t have enough vehicles on hand to get the job done when needed.
We #39;ve put together some tips and tricks for managing your logistics fleet without breaking the bank.
Establish a budget
The first step is to figure out what kind of budget you’re working with. This will help you determine how many vehicles you need to get the job done and which types of fleets (small, medium, or large) you should be considering. Once you’ve figured out your budget, it’s time to start shopping around for some vehicles.
Using seasonal considerations when choosing a vehicle can save you money and headaches down the road. Make sure that you consider what kind of weather is prevalent in your area and which cars will do best in those conditions.
Consider your fleet size and type.
For example, if you have a more extensive fleet with multiple vehicles, you’ll want to look at smaller cars with lower fuel economy ratings. On the other hand, small companies might do better with bigger trucks that get more miles per gallon.
If you’re buying smaller vehicles, think about using them for more than just one purpose. A small truck may not be good for hauling large items, but it can likely serve as a second or third shuttle on busy days when employees are running back and forth between the office and customer sites all day long.
Figure out what you need to do with your fleet during the winter months
We know that winter can be a tumultuous time of year for logistics fleets. The best thing you can do is take the winter into account when buying vehicles and choose models that are well-maintained and able to handle inclement weather conditions.
If your business requires you to have a fleet of vehicles during the winter months, you might consider looking for vehicles that have been converted to 4-wheel drive so they can handle snowy, icy roads better.
Adopt new technology
Using apps and software for automotive inventory management and fleet tracking can help you track your vehicles so you can plan out when they need to be where. This allows you to reduce fuel consumption and improves the efficiency of your fleet without costing too much money.
Whether you have one truck or a whole fleet, it’s important to know how many assets are under your control at any given time. Automotive software makes this process simple and hassle-free.
With smartphone apps, car purchasing software, fleet tracking apps, and other programs on the market today, it’s easier than ever to keep track of your vehicles without breaking the bank.
Determine how often you’ll be using your vehicles for deliveries, pickups, or transporting goods before going out to buy a fleet.
If you’re going to be using your vehicles on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, you’ll want to choose models that will reduce fuel consumption as much as possible so you can stay within budget.
Make sure the vehicle has room for employees and their equipment if they need it. In some cases, you might need to increase the size of your fleet if this is a significant concern.
If vehicle space is at a premium, however, you’ll probably want to get something that’s smaller and more efficient. This generally means purchasing hybrids or other vehicles with low fuel ratings.
How will you store all of these items when they’re not in use?
When looking at fleet types, think about the storage needs of your company. If you have a large warehouse or garage where things can be stored overnight, for example, smaller vehicles might be the way to go.
If not, larger trucks or even semi-trucks might work better.
You might also consider looking at double-duty vehicles, like compact trucks or SUVs that can be used for shuttling employees around during the day and for deliveries in the evening.
Using these considerations when buying a fleet will ensure that you get the best value while having the right kind of transportation for your company’s needs.
Manage maintenance costs
One great way of keeping maintenance costs down is by choosing vehicles that are easier to fix when something goes wrong. Vehicles like Fords and Toyotas, for example, require less downtime than other models because there’s no special training needed to maintain them properly. This means you’ll be able to get replacements or repairs more quickly and make the most of your fleet.
Always consider fuel economy ratings when deciding on what to buy. If you have a business that requires frequent deliveries, smaller vehicles that get high mileage will be best for you because they won’t cost as much fuel to operate every day.
Fleet management can be complex, but using these considerations when deciding what type of vehicles to purchase will help you get the best value for your money.
Choosing well-maintained vehicles that are the right size and easy to fix makes it easier to keep things running smoothly with fewer delays.
