This is an exciting time as we begin the new year full of energy and summer enthusiasm. While we should always be looking forward, it’s fun to look back and see what topics grabbed the attention of the fleet management community in 2023. Was it all about electric vehicles? Safety? Or a personal tale of triumph against adversity?
Here’s the top 10 fleet management stories of 2023.
10) Historical pump prices
This isn’t really a story. It’s more a database of historical prices. However with some record high pump prices during 2023, this page was used heavily by Fleet Managers when they were resetting fuel budgets and writing the justifications to keep the accountants happy.
9) More EV choice for salary packaging from BMW
Since the Electric Car Discount bill was announced in 2022, orders for electric cars from novated lease buyers have driven demand with only one or two manufacturers providing suitable options. In September, BMW invited itself to the party by announcing three new models that would be priced under the Luxury Car Tax limit for fuel efficient vehicles giving buying a European luxury option.
8) DHL takes delivery of first electric truck in Australia
A number of logistics companies took delivery of their first Volvo electric truck in 2023. For DHL it’s the start of a journey to electrify 60% of the last mile delivery fleet by 2030.
7) BYD now turn their attention to fleets
After finding a successful niche with consumers for the electric Atto 3, BYD launched two new models in 2023 (Dolphin and Seal) then declared they are ready to tackle the fleet market. With rumours of an electric 4X4 ute circulating, BYD might have novated lease and fleet buyers lining up in 2024.
6) What increasing new car supply is doing to used car prices
This is a question which caused some concern with Fleet Managers in 2023. As they started reviewing their Fleet Asset Management Plans for 2024 it quickly highlighted that new cars cost more and used vehicles are worth a lot less than the record prices achieved in 2021/22. New car stock arrived at record levels in the second half of 2023 so let’s see what happens in 2024.
5) Why don’t Aussies buy plug-in hybrids?
This was a question we had been asking ourselves and set about finding an answer. We didn’t find a logical answer (because there’s not one), however some common themes did appear when researching the article; price, model choice, a lack of understanding of the technology. With the devastation currently being felt from summer storms, having a backup power source and an escape vehicle in one package sounds like a good investment.
4) A Mack truck Super-Liner in pink
We’re not sure if it was the pink truck, designed to haul livestock across the country, or the reputation of Martins Stock Haulage and Mack Trucks that made this article an instant hit with our audience. It was also popular on LinkedIn with the Fleet HV News followers.
3) The most powerful MG yet
It’s not your typical fleet vehicle, but the MG MG4 XPOWER has plenty to attract the novated lease buyer looking for a hot hatch that also qualifies for the exemption on FBT. It was launched later in the year so the news only had a few months to make the top 10 and it obviously found an audience quickly.
2) How does the i20N compare to the i30N?
We released this review late in 2022 and it became one of the most popular articles and videos on our YouTube channel. Which is better? You’ll need to read the review and watch the video to cast a vote.
1) Top 10 novated lease cars in 2022
This is our annual survey of popular novated lease vehicles. We think it’s as big as the ‘other’ Car of the Year Awards because novated leasing is a great way to own a new car. The 2022 list featured an EV for the first time and the Toyota Hilux missed out (we think due to supply issues). The novated top 10 has been released every year since 2017 and we think 2023 will see some significant changes because of the FBT exemption for electric cars and PHEVs.
