NEW ORLEANS—Fleet Advantage is teaming with FleetNet America to facilitate reliable fleet maintenance service offerings. Complementing Fleet Advantage’s already robust asset lifecycle management solutions, the new relationship is designed for fleets that seek the benefits of a flexible lease structure with access to a world-class maintenance provider with a proven nationwide network. The announcement was made at the American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition here.
Many of today’s fleets want the flexibility of an unbundled lease structure but also need the option of a reliable maintenance provider with access to a nationwide network of repair technicians and locations. This is important because truck operating costs are rising, and maintenance and repair represent a large portion of the increase, Brian Antonellis, Fleet Advantage SVP of fleet operations, explained in the company’s TMC exhibit area. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, the cost of operating a truck in 2022 was $2.251 per mile, surpassing $2 per mile for the first time in the history of ATRI’s Operational Costs report. M&R costs rose in 2022 by 12% to an industry average of $0.196.
FleetNet America by Cox Automotive and its network of 65,000 vetted service providers are leading the managed maintenance industry with 24/7/365 customer service. Additionally, Fleet Services by Cox Automotive, a nationwide leader in on-site maintenance and repair, will support the new program as one of the key service providers.
“For the last 20 years, everybody recognizes FleetNet America is who you call when your truck gets stuck on the road,” Antonellis said. “They bring the technicians and they have the expertise—and they can set up a program with a customer who will know they're going to be there tomorrow.”
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This new program means fleets have reliable access when and if they need it and only pay for what they use instead of being locked into and paying for full-service maintenance packages even if they do not use it. With $3 billion in assets under management, Fleet Advantage’s working relationships, national account support from several OEMs, and reputation in the marketplace enable the company to continue to serve America’s corporate fleets.
“FleetNet America is grateful to work with Fleet Advantage to serve their fleet clients with our full offering,” said Alex Fraser, AVP of FleetNet America. “This relationship advances FleetNet America’s mission of every vehicle, every service, connected.”
FSL vs. unbundled
This announcement is a significant expansion of overall services for Fleet Advantage, according to Brian Holland, president and CEO.
“This partnership allows Fleet Advantage to offer maintenance solutions and alternatives and incorporate the expertise and national network that Cox has assembled,” Holland said. “Having an established and proven maintenance and service program option enhances our existing suite of award-winning offerings, providing fleets with a truly holistic best-in-class asset management solution that helps position them as industry leaders.”
Many fleets today remain stuck in a full-service lease agreement because they need a maintenance program for their trucks, Antonellis explained. The principal difference between an FSL and an unbundled lease is that FSL is not transparent to the customer. In an FSL agreement, fleets essentially hand over all decision-making on fuel and M&R costs to their lease provider, instead only focusing on a “bundled” monthly payment. This type of contract can be detrimental to a fleet’s bottom line.
In an unbundled lease agreement, fleets have greater flexibility on these individual costs but also the freedom to upgrade and scale through flexible leasing, guaranteeing the lowest-possible financial costs involved with truck fleet asset management and truck acquisition, according to Fleet Advantage.
