Mace Hartley Executive Director
Executive Director’ s Report
Mace Hartley Executive Director
Welcome to the October edition of FleetDrive.
Technology has become part of almost every aspect of fleet management, from tracking vehicles and managing maintenance to monitoring driver behaviour and making purchasing decisions. But as the tools available to fleets become more sophisticated, so do the questions around how we use them, how much we can rely on them, and what happens when things go wrong.
In this edition, we look at the changing face of fleet technology and what it means for the people managing fleets every day.
Data and artificial intelligence feature prominently in this conversation. Our contributors explore how fleets can turn data into useful insights, why accurate vehicle information matters when adopting AI, and how roadside assistance records can reveal opportunities to reduce downtime and improve performance. We also look at how technology is changing fleet remarketing and simplifying the practical challenges of managing home charging for electric vehicles.
Of course, technology doesn ' t operate in isolation. The people interpreting the data, making decisions and managing change remain
just as important. Finding the right balance between automation and human expertise is a challenge many organisations are working through, particularly as fleet systems become more connected.
That connectivity brings its own considerations. In this issue, we examine the benefits and risks of connected vehicles, look at common misconceptions about advanced driver assistance systems, and explore how in-vehicle technology can contribute to driver distraction. These are important conversations as vehicles become more sophisticated and fleet managers work to keep safety at the centre of their decisions.
We also consider the wider automotive market, including changing attitudes towards electric vehicles and the partnerships between established automotive brands and Chinese manufacturers that are bringing new technologies to market. For fleet buyers, understanding these changes means looking beyond the technology itself to consider vehicle suitability, whole-of-life costs and long-term value.
As an organisation, AfMA continues to provide opportunities for both personal and professional
2 ISSUE 61 OCTOBER 2026 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU