The EROAD Fleet Day in Hamilton this July opened with a powerful keynote from Mark Davidson, Chief Product Officer, setting the tone for a full day of innovation, local connection, and future-focused fleet solutions. In his first Fleet Day appearance, Davidson took the stage with energy, introducing attendees to EROAD’s evolving product roadmap and announcing several new partnerships that aim to redefine what’s possible in transport technology.
Proudly Built in New Zealand, Backed by Global Strength
Davidson began with a personal story about the importance of building solutions locally—drawing from his early career trying to force-fit US automotive technology into the Australian and New Zealand markets.
“It taught me way back then,” he said, “the importance of working locally and developing solutions that work for the target audience.”
EROAD’s New Zealand roots remain strong, and Davidson emphasised the company’s commitment to being “built in New Zealand, by New Zealand people.” But it’s the combination of this local knowledge with a global perspective—from successful operations in the US and Australia—that’s driving EROAD’s competitive edge.
Expanding Partnerships to Deliver More Value
A key announcement during the address was the expansion of EROAD’s partner ecosystem, bringing together industry leaders to support fleet safety, compliance, and efficiency across all vehicle types.
1. Geotab
EROAD is deepening its partnership with Geotab to extend capabilities across both light commercial and heavy vehicle segments. This includes:
- Enhanced location and safety data for light vehicles
- A new heavy vehicle compliance solution for the Australian market, announced live at the event
2. HERE Technologies
EROAD becomes the first provider to offer vehicle-aware navigation in Australia and New Zealand. By integrating with HERE’s navigation engine, fleets can now optimise routes based on vehicle dimensions—ensuring safety and compliance for heavy and specialised vehicles.
3. Whip Around
The local partnership with Whip Around strengthens EROAD’s presence in the service and maintenance space. The collaboration offers:
- AI-powered inspections
- End-to-end digitised workflows from defect reporting to parts ordering and payment
This significantly broadens EROAD’s ability to support pre-trip checks and ongoing fleet upkeep.
4. Streamax
EROAD’s video safety platform is evolving with its partner Streamax—already the world’s largest video telematics provider. The next phase includes:
- Multi-camera configurations for improved manoeuvring safety
- Ongoing use of AI to detect and prevent risky driving behaviour in real time
Sneak Peek at EROAD’s New Product Innovations
Attendees were also invited to experience the future of fleet technology at “EROAD Studios,” an interactive showcase adjacent to the exhibition area. Davidson highlighted a few of the solutions being previewed:
- EROAD Drive: A new app-based platform that consolidates driver login, safety, inspection, and navigation tools into one tablet—reducing hardware clutter and improving driver workflow.
- Connected Vehicle Integration: Leveraging built-in OEM telematics to streamline data access and reduce the burden on fleet operators.
- Fleet Cost Reduction Tools: A session led by Saqib detailed how EROAD helps reduce fuel usage, maintenance costs, and inefficiencies across operations.
- Enhanced Service & Maintenance Tools: With Whip Around, EROAD is expanding into full lifecycle service management, and inviting operator feedback to shape future releases.
- Video Safety Roadmap: Demonstrations included how AI can shift the focus from post-incident footage to proactive, real-time driver coaching.
- The Future of the Back Office: A new suite of tools is under development to turn telematics data into actionable insights—cutting through the noise and helping dispatchers act faster.
- Cold Chain Customisation: EROAD is localising its successful US-based cold chain telematics solution for New Zealand and Australia, with early adopters already reporting fuel and maintenance savings.
“Why pre-cool your trailer for two hours when it only takes twenty minutes?” Davidson asked. “That wasted fuel and engine time adds up.”
A Hands-On, Solutions-Focused Approach
Throughout his address, Davidson praised EROAD’s culture of practicality and customer focus. “We’re not building tech in an ivory tower,” he said. “We roll up our sleeves, get into the vehicles, and make sure we’re solving the right problems.”
That message resonated with attendees, many of whom were able to speak directly with the product team during the day to explore how these solutions could be applied to their own operations.
Closing the introduction, Davidson reflected on the strength of EROAD’s 25-year history and the trust it has built with customers across New Zealand and beyond.
“We want to be your partner not just for today’s challenges, but for the future.”
With that, EROAD’s 2025 Fleet Day was officially underway—showcasing a strong commitment to local innovation, global thinking, and solving the real-world challenges of fleet operators.
