– By Marc Sibbald –
Last week public sector Fleet Managers, manufacturers and other industry suppliers converged on Hobart for the 2017 National Public Sector Fleet Managers’ Conference.
The conference was supported by all state government fleet bodies and procurement teams with a large number of local councils and a few not-for-profit organisations in attendance. There was also a trade exhibition with displays by manufacturers, fleet management organisations and vehicle auctioneers.
The morning opened with presentations from the state government fleet representatives discussing fleet management challenges and policy responses.
Oscar Liviero, A/General Manager at QFleet kicked off this session followed after morning tea by Kim Witkowski, Fleet Category Manager at Department of Finance, Services and Innovation (NSW), then Jason Fyfe, Manager Contracts at Department of Treasury and Finance (TAS), and Joseph Babbini, Director at NT Fleet.
While the conference programme included a range of topics it was electric vehicles, mobility and alternative fuel powered vehicles that dominated the afternoon sessions on day one.
Day two featured Greg Fannon, Manager Fleet and Support Services at Hobart City Council and several presentations on social and policy issues related driverless vehicles.
Brendon Green, General Manager at Pickles Auctions, presented a remarketing update on day two and his team were there to launch some new products.
“Pickles Auctions’ new dedicated data company Datium launched their online residual value data tool, with strong interest from many state government authorities to help them both choose strong performing vehicles and future values personalised to their state, fleet make up and disposal channel” said Green.
Iaen Paul, Senior Manager Business Sales at Hyundai, believes it was an important event for manufacturers to gauge the willingness of local and state government fleets to be early adopters when electric and hydrogen powered vehicles start arriving in the next few years.
“It is important to be there. Firstly, it’s a great forum for understanding the public sectors current and future policy/strategies, including their key issues, particularly as we move into a non-local-manufacturing era” says Paul.
“As a marketplace, we’re also on the cusp of a greater level of alternate fuel vehicle availability, with several manufacturers including Hyundai finalising plans for the imminent introduction of ‘green’ vehicles and this event helps manufacturers understand the public sector’s appetite (purchase requirements) for such vehicles”.
