Leasing companies invest in vehicle health alerts

Trakm8 reports increasing demand from leasing companies for its Connectedcare vehicle health platform, which can help prevent breakdowns.

The telematics company says that for fleet management, leasing and hire companies, this new level of connectivity provides value-added solutions for both their own operations and for their end customers.

Chris Horbowyj, channel sales director at Trakm8, explained: “Connectedcare can help strengthen customer loyalty and boost revenue streams in the highly competitive leasing and fleet management sectors.”

Through connectivity with a vehicle’s CAN bus system, Trakm8’s telematics device can read and communicate diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

Extensive field trials have shown that telematics systems with DTC capabilities have the potential to substantially reduce vehicle breakdowns, it said.

Horbowyj said: “The AA conducted a 12-month trial with more than 10,000 vehicles which showed that 38% of breakdowns were directly related to a DTC.

“If that information had been communicated quickly, the vehicle owner could have booked it in for a service or minor repair, saving time and money.”

Along with DTC alerts, Trakm8 Connectedcare can also send notifications of dashboard warning lights.

In addition to reading DTCs and dashboard warning lights, Connectedcare also provides real-time data on the status of a car or van battery.

Non-starts due to battery failure are one of the most common causes of callouts for breakdown and recovery companies.

Connectedcare also provides true odometer readings to help better plan service and proactively manage vehicle users who are going to exceed their agreed mileage limits, it said. 

Other features include fuel theft alerts if the tank is rapidly drained; as well as notifications on AdBlue levels and tyre pressure warnings.

Trakm8 Connectedcare is available as part of an integrated telematics platform or as a stand-alone solution.