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SEARCHFounder of Bobit Business Media (originally called Bobit Publishing) and Automotive Fleet Magazine, Ed Bobit has been a leader in fleet for 50 years, since the company's humble beginnings in Illinois in 1961.
Through the years, Ed has always maintained a personal presence in the fleet industry and in the pages of Automotive Fleet. Here are some photos and quips from the master himself.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
In 1963, Ed (center) accepts a plaque from Howard Pyle, president of the National Safety Council. The award is given to a publication for outstanding coverage in the field of safety. Looking on is Roy Wiley, AF's executive editor.
Photo: Bobit
Ed presents AF's Industry Contribution Award to the great Sam J. Lee at the 1963 NAFA banquet.
Photo: Bobit
In the 1970s, seat belts are still a novelty, but Ed is forward-thinking: In his monthly editorial he says, "The most recent DOT study we have been able to locate shows that only 18.5% of the nation's drivers use safety belts. If it were 88.5%, we might not need air bags. What if...the nation's corporate fleet managers developed a company policy demanding that drivers use the belts? What if...corporate management provided a real incentive for drivers to use their belts - maybe by honoring them? What if...the insurance companies gave premium cre
Photo: Bobit
[1974] Ed Bobit presents the Annual Bobit Award to Heydon Hubler of Hubler Rentals for outstanding achievement in the industry.
Photo: Bobit
Ed gets a send-off from a group of friends as he prepares to take the company from the frigid winters of Chicago to sunny southern California. Pictured at the surprise luncheon, left to right, Jim Berkley, "Mog" Mogensen, Pierce Walsh, Ed, Candace Hornkohl, and Jerry McCarthy.
Photo: Bobit
At a 1977 AALA convention, Ed (center) embraces Chevrolet's Chuck McCrary (left) and AFLA president Duke Tookman (right).
Photo: Bobit
Just back the NAFA's Silver Anniversary meeting in Denver in June 1982, Ed only wonders why more fleet managers don't show up: "The 500 fleet managers in attendance were treated quite well at an incalculable cost. What if all the nation's fleet buyers showed up? The manufacturers, lessors, and affiliates would have decidedly different budgets."
Photo: Bobit
It's the end of 1988, and Ed's in a good mood, for good reason. In his publisher's note he says: "Purchases were once again at the 1.8-million level for cars and nearly a half-million for light trucks and vans. Three back-to-back oustanding years!"
Photo: Bobit
Celebrating the magazine's 35th anniversary in the November 1996 issue, Ed talks about how it all began: "My big break came in 1961 when McGraw-Hill didn't think much of the "fleet and leasing" magazine idea I offered them, so I then became a poor, struggling entrepreneur with this publication. Armund Schoen and Zollie Frank at Wheels were encouraging; so was Hubert Ryan at Hertz. Howard Cook at Ford believed in me and the idea and was my initial mentor cracking the Detroit ad budgets (hallelujah and salvation)."
Photo: Bobit
Ed receives the National Vehicle Leasing Association's Sam Lee Memorial Award during NVLA's annual meeting, which took place in California, April 1999. The award is given periodically to a non-lessor who has made significant contributions to the leasing industry. Presenting the award is NVLA president Jerry Duffy.
Photo: Bobit
The year is 1999, and Ed's theme is familiar: "My most satisfying moment of March was a volunteered statement from a fleet manager in purchasing who's been assigned to manage a very large fleet for the past 18 months. She related that she has noted my never-ending communication effort to awaken all fleet managers to the #1 cost they should tackle; namely, depreciation and resale value. She cannot figure out why everyone doesn't recognize and follow this obvious course, relating that many develop lifecycle costing reports but few follow the results.
Photo: Bobit
It's 2006 and besides being without a tie in his photo for the first time ever, Ed Bobit is "reporting with a fervent passion" that Detroit's profits are declining against the imports, due in large part to repair costs being just $348 per vehicle for Toyota (compared wtih $512 for GM, $585 for Ford, and $595 for Chrysler), but he says that if anyone says fleet sales aren't profitable, "set 'em straight. It ain't the truth."
Photo: Bobit
Ed presents Automotive Fleet's outstanding achievement award to Lee Westberg (left) at the 1965 NAFA conference.
Photo: Bobit
In his September 1980 editorial, Ed laments that "more new car dealers folded in the first six months of 1980 than any similar period in 20 years. ... while the car imports are enjoying more than a quarter of all sales (record highs), and over 300,000 auto workers are unemployed in the U.S."
Photo: Bobit
In 1989, after a trip to Japan as the guest of Mazda to view their new fall models (like the new 929 and the 323 Protégé LX at the company's Miyoshi Proving Ground High Speed Test Track), Ed is warning of serious concerns: "Domestic vehicle marketers also are demonstrating unique qualitative competitiveness to maintain or secure their market share of retail sales; but they are encountering the first serious threats from a weakening allegiance among fleet buyers in the arena where "U.S. Made" has always held an incredible dominance."
Photo: Bobit
1994. Ed Bobit as most of us think of him: smiling and with a cigar in his mouth. In his April 1994 editorial, Ed wondered "Can We Save the Species?" The “species” in question, of course, was the fleet dealer. "Without a doubt, the most significant innovation occurred in 1972, when LPI worked out a sub-code system with factory approval and direct purchasing. This move presaged the eventual mergers among fleet management companies with economies of volume followed with sharp supplier negotiations. By the late 80s, fleet dealers were grossing $50 over invoice (compared to $200-$300 in 1952)."
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Photo: Bobit
In 2010, Chrysler Fleet honors Ed and his team for their many years of a great partnership.
Photo: Bobit
