You'll Be Seeing More of Us in 2001

With the Fourth Quarter 2000 issue, Business Fleet completed its first year of publication, and what a year it’s been. It’s been a real pleasure meeting, talking on the phone, and corresponding through e-mail with many of you.

The small commercial fleet business is a dynamic and exciting area, filled with the kind of people who are interesting to talk to and inspiring to know. From a magazine which existed only as an idea in the mind of Ed Bobit and a few others a year ago, to one which has published four issues and now has a Website of its own, has been quite a journey.

The warm response from readers and from advertisers has been very gratifying for us, and it allows us to bring you more of the important, money-saving information that you find in these pages every issue. Which is my way of telling you... 

We’re Going Bi-monthly!

The great interest shown in Business Fleet by you, the readers and the continued support of our advertisers is making it possible for us to publish as a bi-monthly (six times per year) in 2001 instead of as a quarterly (four times per year) as we did in 2000. That’ll give us more opportunities to present the information that’s important to you, and to bring it to you on a more timely basis. If you want to thank someone, just look at the advertisements in the magazine and give those companies your business.

They represent the best of products and services available to the small fleet customer. Tell ’em Business Fleet sent you. 

2001: A Fleet Odyssey 

We have a great year of stories planned for you in 2001. In the January/February issue, for example, we’re going to tell you ways find out if your dealer is giving you the attention and service you deserve as a fleet customer. We’ll tell you how to benefit by getting a fleet account number or fleet identification number and how to select a vehicle tracking system. We’ll also bring you a great selection of luxury and near-luxury vehicles in Executive Showroom.

Then, in the March/April 2001 issue, we’ll reveal ways to cut your fuel costs, how auctions can gain you higher residuals,secrets of effective and timely vehicle replacement, and show you high-end pickups and light trucks. I could go on, but you get the idea. We’re committed to bringing you the best in small fleet information, and we’ll continue our efforts to be your fleet management partner. Most importantly, our editorial plans are flexible enough to allow for your input and ideas. When we hear from you what you’d like to see, it’ll go in the magazine.

Now’s the Time for Remarketing 

On an unrelated but very important and timely note, knowing when to sell your used vehicles can mean more cash in your pocket. How much more cash, you ask? A two-year-old car sold in October or early November can bring in as much as $900 more than the same car sold the following January, because there is very little demand for used vehicles at that time.

Timing your vehicle replacements to cash in on seasonal market highs and avoid seasonal lows will help you control vehicle depreciation costs – the single biggest expense you face with your company fleet.

Editor's note: Business Fleet united with Work Truck in 2024. 

About the Author: Steve Elliot is a former executive editor for Business Fleet.