FLEETDRIVE production capacity and so-on starts the global balance in supply / demand forces .
Redbook ’ s view is that many of the traditional OEM tools of delivering volume throughput will return as stock levels improve , something that is already evident in recent dialogue with FMO / Rental channels as mainstream OEMs reengage . This in turn may see a shift in brand / model desirability for certain fleets as available vehicle choice improves greatly , thus returning fleet brand / model profiles back to pre-pandemic mixes .
Beyond the volatility in new / used vehicle pricing and supply , whilst Electric Vehicle ( EV ) options remain limited in Australia , their adoption and enquiry in the past 12 months has been the most pronounced to date .
Right now , it has become the top agenda item for many fleets as they race to fine tune strategies and navigate incentive and legislative schemes , in particular the introduction of recent FBT concessions . Additionally , we have elevated levels of competition between private , fleet
and Government in this space , all jostling for affordable choices in a highly limited marketplace , especially so in the Light Commercial Vehicle ( LCV ) category .
Redbook remains poised to support the need for data and insights in this area as it remains challenging to forecast on EV with acceptance still growing in line with charging infrastructure , government policy on the fly and expanding choices in both passenger / LCV .
Even in response to present inflationary pressures diminishing purchasing power , sustained market interruption and all , Redbook remains intensely watchful with big economies like the UK and US showing concerning signs . It is during these times that we must use as much data and insights to balance decision making locally .
What will come to the fore , is the need for fleet managers to give deeper consideration to costto-run vs cost-to-own when planning fleets in the future be it with or without EV / Hybrid drivetrains and that is why Redbook is investing significantly in this space .
ISSUE 38 DECEMBER 2022 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU 11