Business Fleet, January/February 2018

WWW BUSINESSFLEET COM 6 BUSINESS FLEET January February 2018 ROAD SIGNS V ehicle manufacturers are adding a slew of new utility vehicles for the 2018 model year and ceasing production of some cars as fleet and retail buyers shift their tastes toward SUVs Among the domestics Ford General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will trim out a few models Ford will no longer make its hybrid and plug in hybrid C Max models General Motors is discontinuing the Buick Verano and Chevrolet SS FCA will no longer produce the Chrysler 200 Dodge Viper and Jeep Patriot Several luxury vehicles will cease production including the Infiniti QX70 Lexus CT200h and Mercedes Benz B Class Electric Other discontinued vehicles include the Hyundai Azera Mitsubishi i Miev Mitsubishi Lancer Nissan Quest Smart ForTwo Volkswagen CC and Volkswagen Touareg THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR 2018 BY PAUL CLINTON PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRYSLER PHOTO COURTESY OF AIR FORCE KELLY WHITE BY PAUL CLINTON The interior of the 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter is customizable Third Gen Sprinter to Offer Gas Engine Factory Telematics The 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter will add a gasoline engine optional factory telematics offering and more than 1000 configurations to provide a holistic mobility solution when it debuts in February the head of the companys van division told journalists in Stuttgart Germany Mercedes Benz is launching the third generation of its Sprinter that was first introduced in the U S in 1995 and updated in 2010 The companys van unit provided general information about the new full size van at Sprinter Innovation Campus an event that focused on the vehicles versatility possible electrification telematics capabilities and features suited for grocery delivery passenger hauling and service fleets The 2018 Sprinter will provide versatility with three wheelbases four body lengths three roof heights four engine powers and four dashboards Commercial buyers can also configure interior features such as the vans storage compartments cupholders head unit and climate controls All models will offer push button start Mercedes Benz is also shifting the vans drivetrain to a front wheel orientation the van now offers standard rearwheel drive or a 4x4 option to lower the load floor to help drivers load cargo The move will eliminate the prop shaft Mercedes Benz hopes to offer a battery electric model now known as eSprinter in the U S as well as an all electric eVito the mid size van known as the Metris in the U S When the 2018 Sprinter arrives in late 2018 or early 2019 Mercedes will offer a manufacturer telematics system known as Mercedes Pro that will provide fleet managers a cloud based vehicle management tool telematics data served to a mobile app cargo monitoring a digital key and a Linux based vehicle platform thats designed to encourage third party vehicle apps PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCEDES BENZ 2017 Chrysler 200 The U S Department of Transportations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA says that safety belt usage by commercial truck and bus drivers reached a new record of 86 in 2016 compared to 65 in 2007 according to a national survey Since 2007 FMCSA has collaborated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA to conduct the Safety Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Survey six times In each survey safety belt usage by commercial drivers has been shown to be steadily increasing The 2016 survey observed nearly 40000 commercial drivers operating medium to heavy duty trucks and buses at more than 1000 roadside sites nationwide The survey found that safety belt usage for commercial drivers and their occupants was highest by trucks and buses traveling on expressways at 89 compared to 83 on surface streets Male truck and bus drivers outpaced their female counterparts by buckling up at a rate of 86 to 84 respectively SEAT BELT USE BY COMMERCIAL DRIVERS HITS ALL TIME HIGH