GPS vehicle tracking specialist Trimble Mobile Resource Management, has launched its first vehicle diagnostics solution into Europe.

By utilising Trimble Vehicle Diagnostics 2.0, fleet managers will be able to improve vehicle uptime, reduce fuel usage and deliver better maintenance activities, the firm says. 

While vehicle tracking allows operators to see what their vehicles and drivers are doing, Trimble Vehicle Diagnostics 2.0 also enables customers to drill down and see exactly how well their vehicles are working, with reports of potential problems transmitted in real-time directly from the vehicle.

Trimble Vehicle Diagnostics 2.0 is a small piece of hardware which is installed directly into a vehicle, plugging into the on-board EOBD engine port and connecting with the Trimble vehicle tracking device already installed in the vehicle. 

This then transmits diagnostic information over the internet to provide fleet managers with instant access to their vehicle data. 

Advantages of Trimble Vehicle Diagnostics 2.0 include:

  • The provision of information on potential vehicle maintenance issues before they cause a breakdown, enabling reduced fleet and business downtime. Better fuel consumption also results from improved vehicle condition
  • The ability to manage repairs more cost-effectively through accurate identification of the problem, eliminating unnecessary investigative time;
  • The reporting of excessive and unexpected fuel consumption via tracking of speeding and idling;
  • The monitoring of driver competence to help fleets comply with regulatory demands such as corporate manslaughter and health and safety requirements;
  • Demonstration of a vehicle’s condition to assist businesses in delivering duty of care commitments to a mobile workforce.

Andrew Yeoman, managing director of Trimble, said: “Reducing customer costs is our core aim at Trimble MRM and with the launch of Trimble Vehicle Diagnostics 2.0, we are delighted to be able to offer managers the latest tool in maximising fleet efficiency. 

“They can now gather valuable intelligence about the engines and performance of their vehicles and mitigate against potential problems before they occur. It gives a level of knowledge into fleet operation which simply wasn’t available before – or technically possible.”