Whether you’re looking to sell your fleet vehicles next year or five years from now, truck fleet management is crucial. If you’re good at maintenance, when the time finally comes to sell, you’ll get the most resale value possible.
Fleet truck management begins the second it’s purchased and ends when traded in or sold. To protect your investment while you have it, here are some strategies to consider.
Buying a Fleet Truck
Whenever possible, buy multiple trucks at once, using volume discounts to your advantage. You typically have more negotiating power when you buy in volume, and this leverage is crucial when making significant purchases.
When buying, choose vehicles with the features you need, including equipment that helps the fleet retain its resale value.
Minimize Depreciation
You can optimize your depreciation by working with a financial team or an accountant. There’s a diverse set of strategies you can take advantage of, from negotiating for the best price (like in the above example) to waiting until the best time of year to purchase your fleet.
Then there’s also the maintenance and repair components.
Truck Fleet Maintenance and Repair
Sticking to a quality maintenance/repair program can help your company recognize full resale value. Document how you maintain the vehicles in your fleet.
There are plenty of apps or software programs that can streamline fleet maintenance. Routine maintenance tasks include changing each vehicle’s oil and filters and inspecting its various systems: fuel, steering, and suspension, plus tires, lights, and more.
Don’t forget to keep your truck beds protected. Preventing damage to the bed floors, tailgates, or front walls greatly improves resale value.
You can keep a truck bed looking brand new by purchasing a quality truck bed liner. Protecting your truck bed is important for trucks that perform cargo transport or any other heavy-duty jobs.
Strategically choosing removable truck bed liners allows you to reuse those liners in new fleet trucks of the same model. This saves you money and helps boost your company’s bottom line.
Know When It’s Replacement Time
When trying to keep your budget lean, it’s tempting to keep vehicles in a fleet longer than ideal. Sometimes this strategy can backfire.
You can optimize your truck fleet resale strategy through excellent record-keeping and by monitoring your fleet closely. You can use the records to discover issues; for example, are unexpected repairs popping up?
Does the issue persist in a few trucks, or are the problems more widespread? Where do you stand with your warranties? What about your depreciation? How fuel-efficient are your vehicles? Do newer versions of your current trucks have equipment that could boost your fleet’s efficiency?
Check out the current truck fleet resale market and see what kind of incentives there are for new purchases. Are these incentives attractive?
An aging fleet might make customers think your company doesn’t have the cash flow to buy new vehicles. Their aging cosmetic appearance also reduces their appeal to potential buyers.
These problems with your vehicles may cause frustration for drivers, maybe even to the point where they find another company to work for.
When interviewing potential new drivers, ask how they inspect their vehicles for major and minor issues. Share your company’s policy with new and onboarding drivers so they know how to report any maintenance or repair concerns.
BusinessFleet.com provides more insights, including information on how trucks under warranty are especially in demand by dealers because you can resell them under a certified pre-owned (CPO) program.
The time of year is also critical for fleet sales. Selling vehicles during the snowy season can keep your company from getting the most out of its fleet truck resale.
Spring is when companies are gearing up for their busy season; many drivers also have tax refunds they can put towards purchasing a used vehicle, making this a more opportune time to sell.
The best time to sell isn’t always clear, and it won’t be the same for every company. All companies should consider whether they’re overspending on maintenance and repairs.
Comparing DualLiner to Other Options
Whether you’re buying a fleet truck or trying to keep your current fleet trucks in top condition, we suggest you invest in truck bed liners. Liners are smart for money management because they keep your truck bed in its best condition, which is important for preserving resale value.
Many liners, like spray-in liners, are permanent and can’t be reused. Others, such as drop-in pickup bed liners, risk scraping your bed.
We’ve created an easy guide to help you compare your bed liner options. It shows the best types of truck bed liners.
DualLiner is made in the USA and comes with a true lifetime guarantee. DualLiner provides the best protection for your truck bed and cargo.
These custom-fit, removable truck bed liners are delivered directly to you. You can also easily install them yourself. These liners are durable, attractive, and environmentally safe. Protect your investment with DualLiner!
