Fleet News 2019: Your magazine evolves to help you meet unprecedented challenges

Next year, Fleet News will undergo arguably the biggest change in its 40-year history

In line with the transformation taking place across the fleet sector, with new regulations, new technology and a host of new pressures on the way businesses move their people, goods and services around, next year Fleet News will be undertaking its own transformation with a complete overhaul of content in print, on the website and in its newsletters.

Fleet News has to evolve and adapt to the changing fleet landscape to be at the forefront of new developments and to remain the most influential and trusted media brand in the sector.

This will start in January as Fleet News moves to a new frequency of 15 issues a year (as a monthly magazine with three themed editions at the busiest times of the year – March, September and November).

This will enable the market-leading fleet publication to delve much more deeply into the major issues of the day, providing greater clarity, insight and analysis for the organisations responsible for keeping British business moving.

In addition to news analysis, thought-provoking opinion pieces and detailed interviews with fleet decision-makers, manufacturers and key suppliers, Fleet News will divide its content into two key areas.

"It is the central pillar of Fleet News to not only continually adapt to the times, but to take a market leadership position and be the instigator of change, sharing our knowledge and insight across the sector." Stephen Briers

Strategy insight

This section will focus on tomorrow – the technology, policies, regulations and trends that will influence the way companies move people, goods and services around.

Strategy Insight will also enable us to engage with a wider decision-making unit, such as finance directors, procurement directors, HR directors, operations directors and mobility managers who are increasingly involved in deciding policy about company cars, vans and trucks.

Topics will range from last mile distribution solutions to clean air zone regulations, and from mobility as a service and vehicle usership apps to autonomous, connected and electric vehicles.

Operations insight

This section will focus on today’s fleet, offering best practice guidance, features, benchmarking and skills insight to enable the fleet decision-maker to run an efficient and effective fleet of vehicles.

Drawing on its vast pool of knowledgeable fleet and industry experts, Fleet News will uncover solutions to operational issues, share information on cost-saving initiatives and draw attention to the best ways to improve safety and address environmental concerns.

The other significant change to the brand portfolio from January will be the integration of Commercial Fleet into Fleet News. This decision has been taken because, increasingly, the topics relevant to fleet are relevant no matter whether the business operates cars, vans or trucks – and many are running all three.

Fleet News will introduce a dedicated commercial fleet section in the magazine and retain the Commercial Fleet website to give a home to the issues of greatest importance to van and truck operators, such as compliance and legislation.

However, content throughout the new Fleet News magazine, including fleet profiles, technology and new mobility services, will be relevant to all fleets, including those running trucks.

The Commercial Fleet Awards, which recognises and honours fleets, manufacturers and suppliers in the van and truck sector, will also continue in the current format.

Website enhancements

In addition to the changes to the print magazine, Fleet News will be looking to increase engagement in its digital products and services with greater insight into our news articles, improved newsletters and new fleet management tools.

Digital channels enable Fleet News to keep users up to speed with the latest developments, whereas print enables it to add analysis, context and insight into the key stories. This will continue to be a priority for the new publication.

The new Fleet News will focus on providing the broader best practice and strategic guidance to enable decision-makers to prepare for the complexities of modern day fleet management.

Commercial Fleet news, insight and roadtests

Commercial Fleet email newsletters will continue to be published weekly. Register to continue receiving this content: https://www.commercialfleet.org/register

You can unsubscribe at any time. 

Fleets support the Fleet News transformation

Fleet News has discussed its plans with a number of fleets before introducing these changes.

This is what some of them said.

“I support this move (merging Fleet News and Commercial Fleet) wholeheartedly. While it’s been nice to have two publications with their respective areas of expertise, the luxury of time to read them is rapidly reducing so I see this as a natural evolution as well as an efficiency. As an operator of a mixed fleet, it suits me perfectly.”

Stewart Lightbody, head of fleet, Anglian Water

“This is a good move; 15 editions a year supported by the usual ‘push’ notifications on breaking news is a perfect format. Fleet today is becoming more complex year after year. Everything either seems to be changing or is being questioned about its relevance in today’s world. It’s gone way beyond the remit of yesteryear and now anyone in any role looking after their company fleet – big or small – will be exposed to far higher levels of change from manufacturers, to governments to employees and their mobility options.

“It’s all changing more quickly. That’s why Fleet News in all its formats is vital for me to keep up-to-date with this change, through the email daily news links to the more in-depth printed magazine to read away from my screen. The website and print mix allows me to digest the most relevant and up-to-date content when I need it.”

David Oliver, procurement manager, Red Bull

“This is a great idea – less frequent and merging the two – giving greater ability to cover the wider angle of issues encountered by mixed fleets complimented by focused articles for each vehicle type. It makes a lot of sense. There are so many topics that impact both – either in equal measure and/or in similar ways – and it’s entirely appropriate to address all the issues in a single article which adds to the value as we should all be looking at ‘fleet’ in wider context now. There are plenty of overlapping issues which have consequences for all areas of fleet.”

Caroline Sandall, Association of Car Fleet Operators' vice-chairman

“The newsletter and website articles are great for frequent updates about the latest fleet information, but we still need a magazine because it provides in-depth and informative articles that we can share with other stakeholders within the business.

"It was sometimes hard to keep up with the publication when it was fortnightly, so changing to monthly will give us the high quality features and articles we need with more time to read them.

"Moving Commercial Fleet into Fleet News makes sense because fleet management is so much more cross-functional regarding the big issues, so the solutions are more cross-functional – for cars, vans and trucks, but also within the business, with HR, finance and procurement.”

Lorna McAtear, head of supply and internal accounts, Royal Mail

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief

Throughout our 40-year history, we have never rested on our laurels. It is the central pillar of Fleet News to not only continually adapt to the times, but to take a market leadership position and be the instigator of change, sharing our knowledge and insight across the sector.

This sector is changing with increasing pressures from urban transport regulators looking to reduce congestion and improve safety by removing vehicles from the roads. We also see more people taking cash but still requiring access to transport, whether that is through usership of a car or other options. And we see myriad companies introducing what they claim are solutions for first and last mile distribution.

Part of our approach will be to challenge and debunk some of these claims, something that is only possible due to our relationships with policy-setters in Government and within local authorities. They set the direction and we will clarify how this affects businesses who need to move people, goods and service around.

However, a lot of this is strategic thinking for the future. We also recognise that most companies are mainly concerned with what is happening today – how can they reduce cost, improve safety, address environmental concerns and improve the well-being of drivers, for example. So, a large part of Fleet News will remain dedicated to these topics.

The Fleet News pledge to you is to ensure we continue to be your trusted source of impartial, insightful and essential fleet knowledge – for today and for tomorrow.