FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – In an annual survey conducted by PHH FirstFleet, fleet managers identified new issues and industry trends. Most notably, while fuel costs and safety risks are still top concerns for America’s private truck fleets, the majority of owners and managers are putting off new 2007 engines purchases and looking to outside industry consultants to help drive down operational costs.

PHH FirstFleet’s survey canvassed an array of topics relevant to the industry, including fuel economy and fleet management. Findings include:

1. Sixty-three percent of fleet managers said they are putting off 2007 engine purchases.
   

2. Seventy-nine percent said they were contending with the 2007 change by stocking up on 2006 engines.
   

3. Thirty-four percent of respondents thought that ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) had little to no impact on fuel costs, while 30 percent felt the ULSD had at least somewhat of an impact. And in terms of what issues fleets are experiencing as a result of using ULSD fuel, 75 percent felt that it was too early to tell. Nearly 13 percent indicated lower fuel economy. Just over seven percent cited fuel availability, while almost four percent felt their fleets experienced a loss in engine power.
   

4. When asked about what initiatives fleet managers are planning in order to gain back the fuel economy lost to ULSD regulations, nearly 24 percent confirmed the use of technology tools, such as telematics.

One of the survey’s most significant findings hinged on the introduction of both ULSD and 2007-model-year engines, which led to a new requirement for API CJ-4 oil. While two-thirds (67 percent) will use the new oil on fleets with 2007 engines, the remaining third (33 percent) have no current plans to do so because they are not aware new regulations require it. When asked whether they will use the new oil on non-2007 engines, 38 percent said they would not, while almost 30 percent said they would. The remaining 32 percent of respondents said they were not sure if they would use the new oil to protect the non-2007 engines.

The survey also asked about any other critical areas of concern to companies. While driver availability and retention are still issues, driver incentive strategies such as increased pay, benefits, and bonuses are apparently working to reduce this concern.

Beyond employing telematics, respondents indicated interest in driver incentive programs (21 percent), stretching out the lifecycle to maintain 2006 engines (19 percent), lighter specs (17 percent), and other fuel saving tactics, including aerodynamics, Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) as well as speed, RPM and idle reductions, 17 percent.

Eighty-five percent of fleet managers endorsed measuring driver habits and past performance. Survey respondents were overwhelmingly interested in employing an outside service to conduct an operation audit, with nearly 52 percent indicating they have considered outsourcing maintenance and safety compliance to an industry consultant.

For a full summary of the PHH FirstFleet National Survey of Fleet Managers, visit www.phhfirstfleet.com.