ONE MORE, JUST LIKE BEFORE. Perhaps owing to the fact that many fleet managers report being in a "holding pattern" the past year, FLD's Q1 Fleet Manager Sentiment Index saw little change from what our collection of top fleet managers thought in our Q4 Index. With 4 of our 7 Q1 topics scoring less than 20% different from their Q4 tallies, it's safe to say that top fleet managers aren't sure what to think these days. And with the tariffs, out of control costs - and now a war in the Mideast - it's likely the only thing fleet pros know is that they don't know anything - something we are hearing often from our CAB and other top fleet managers. Of the three remaining categories that we follow, two showed a deviation of less than half a percent from Q4 2025 to Q1 2026, with only one topic - the US Economy - moving a full half a percent (up) due largely in part to a reduction in interest rates - and milder than expected inflation - towards the end of 2025.
*Chart is rated on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being most confident. Mouse over any topic to see its specific chart.*
ONE MORE, JUST LIKE BEFORE. Perhaps owing to the fact that many fleet managers report being in a "holding pattern" the past year, FLD's Q1 Fleet Manager Sentiment Index saw little change from what our collection of top fleet managers thought in our Q4 Index. With 4 of our 7 Q1 topics scoring less than .20% different from their Q4 tallies, it's safe to say that top fleet managers aren't sure what to think these days. And with the tariffs, out of control costs - and now a war in the Mideast - it's likely the only thing fleet pros know is that they don't know anything - something we are hearing often from our CAB and other top fleet managers. Of the three remaining categories that we follow, two showed a deviation of less than half a percent from Q4 2025 to Q1 2026, with only one topic - the US Economy - moving a full half a percent (up) due largely in part to a reduction in interest rates - and milder than expected inflation - towards the end of 2025. *Chart is rated on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being most confident. Mouse over any quarter to see its specific chart.
Our 2025 Q2 Fleet Manager Sentiment Index is out with some very telling results
The Q2 2025 White Metal Market Report highlights ongoing uncertainty in the wholesale medium-duty vehicle market, driven primarily by tariffs, high interest rates, and shifting fleet strategies. Once predictable, the fleet industry has faced volatility since the pandemic, with managers now adopting a “wait and see” approach toward tariffs rather than making premature plans. While […]
One of our most popular series, “Get to Know TeamFLD’s” Hernan Londono, who had a job at an auto auction during college moving vehicles into the bidding lanes!
This year’s Work Truck Week was the biggest event of the year and our Rich Mallek was there to give his thoughts in a Fleet Management Weekly interview live from the show floor.
In Q1, fleet managers expressed slightly more confidence across most areas compared to Q4 2024. However, concerns remain. Supply chain disruptions—especially around semiconductors—persist, despite signs of resilience. Vehicle availability is improving, but upfit delays continue. Economic uncertainty, especially for small businesses, and geopolitical tensions are causing caution. Fuel price outlook is modestly optimistic. Overall, many […]
One of our most popular series, “Get to Know TeamFLD’s” Jeannine DeLeo, whos dad was a wholesaler and taught her about the auto business when she was only 16 years old!
In 2024, the wholesale used vehicle market returned to more “familiar” patterns after years of volatility. Values declined about 15% across most classes, with smaller vehicles holding value better than larger ones. High-mileage, lower-quality units were abundant, while newer, low-mileage vehicles remained scarce—a trend expected to persist in 2025. Economic uncertainty, interest rates, and a […]
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