Chrysler Plans Further Cuts in Fleet Sales
The automaker plans to trim sales to business customers such as rental car companies to about 20 percent of total sales, from about 30 percent in 2007.
Chrysler LLC expects its domestic market share to fall in 2008 as it pares sales to rental-car companies to focus on selling vehicles to consumers Bloomberg News reports. Chrysler had 12.9 percent of U.S. auto sales in 2007, according to Autodata Corp. That ranked it No. 4 in the United States, trailing General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Cutting discounted sales to business customers such as rental car companies would help Chrysler boost profit margins and raise the resale value of vehicles bought by consumers. Chrysler plans to trim so-called fleet purchases to about 20 percent of total sales, from about 30 percent in 2007. While Chrysler trimmed some fleet sales in 2007, this year's decline will be larger, Chief Executive Officer Robert Nardelli has said. That strategy echoes the steps taken by Ford and GM to reduce their dependence on corporate buyers last year, when the automakers blamed most of their U.S. market-share declines to Japanese rivals on fewer fleet sales. Toyota and Honda Motor Co. typically don't rely as heavily on fleet sales. Ford's share of domestic sales of its U.S. brands slid 1.6 percentage points to 14.8 percent as Toyota rose to second in the U.S., and GM dropped 0.8 point to 23.5 percent, according to Autodata.
More Small Fleet

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections
AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.
Read More →
Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries
There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Read More →
It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report
What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.
Read More →
Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America
Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.
Read More →
VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone
A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski
VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!
Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.
Read More →
Hot Weather Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers
As we head into another potentially extreme summer season, the risks for fleet drivers remain high, from engine strain and tire blowouts to unpredictable traffic patterns. An expert shares advice on how fleet drivers can boost their safety during the steamy summer months.
Read More →
