Whether it’s comfort, performance, or just getting from point A to B, everyone’s relationship with their vehicle is personal.
Photo: Afif Ramdhasuma via Pixabay / Automotive Fleet
Automotive Fleet connects with eight fleet managers to learn about the vehicles they drive daily, what they do or don’t like about their personal vehicles, and any outstanding stories or experiences associated with them.
Fleet professionals are just like the rest of us — they have their own ups and downs with their personal vehicles. Some are embracing electric vehicles (EVs) and learning the quirks of charging and range, while others talk about their car’s memories and personalities, even if the new tech sometimes talks back.
Whether it’s comfort, performance, or just getting from point A to B, everyone’s relationship with their vehicle is personal.
EV Experiences and Learning Curves
“Today, I’m driving a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. It’s my first EV, and I am learning a lot about its capabilities, charging capacity, and overall range related to hot and cold weather. I have a charger at work that I can plug into every day, which has helped me avoid range anxiety.
“So far, the vehicle has run well, as it has 10,000 miles. The one thing I did notice when I needed a fast charge at a remote location was that it was almost more expensive than gasoline compared to a cost-per-mile calculation. I am learning a lot about the vehicle and the technology related to the truck. So far, I like this vehicle’s range, comfort, and technology.” – Charlie Stevenson, Vice President of Fleet, Essential Utilities Inc.
—
“I’m a daily driver of a 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT. In 2021, I decided that if I was going to preach to the choir and work to get our drivers to move into EVs, I needed to be an early adopter. I ordered a ’21 Mustang Mach-E and hired an electrician to install a 48-amp 240-volt plug in my driveway.
“Although the ’21 Mach-e was an early production model, it drove quite well, and I liked the features so much that when it came time to lease a new vehicle, I opted for the same model — in the GT trim. The ’24 GT does sacrifice some range for the additional performance, but it’s overall improved from the ’21 despite having a lower price tag.
“So far, I’ve put over 4k miles on the ’24 and have had zero issues, so no reason to return to the dealership. I’ve been enjoying the looks of this Eruption Green version. My favorite feature is the Blue-Cruise hands-free driving. I took it on a trip from New York to Maine (having to stop for a 20-minute charge each way), and the car mostly drove itself on the highways. It was quite relaxing.” – Jim Petrillo, Manager of Accounting Services/Fleet Manager, Fujifilm.
—
“What do I drive daily? Ford Lightning. Company truck. Fun fact: you can install an inverter and use the truck to power your home in a blackout for several days. Super useful when Santa Ana winds come to LA.” – Ernie Garcia, Director, Fleet Management and Business Systems, Gothic Landscape.
—
Trucks, SUVs, and the Comfort Factor
“Despite managing a fleet primarily made up of Chevrolets, I, ironically, don’t drive one myself. In fact, I’m only on my third car in total. After my trusty 2013 Honda Civic finally gave up in the spring of 2024, I faced the dreaded task of car shopping — a task I’ve never particularly enjoyed.
“I would have been happy to purchase another Honda or perhaps even a Toyota, like my first car. However, my husband, a die-hard Volkswagen enthusiast, insisted I give them a chance. The first one I tried didn’t quite spark joy. But when I got behind the wheel of Betsy, my 2021 Tiguan, I was smitten.
“Now, I’ve always been the practical type when choosing a vehicle — function over flair, you might say. But this SUV strikes the perfect balance: spacious enough for all my needs yet agile enough to feel like a car. And to think, it all came about because of the Volkswagen my husband drove when we first met — a mustard yellow 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit with a diesel engine named Daisy.” – Mikhaila Baldwin, Fleet Manager, CoolSys.
—
“My everyday drive is a Mercedes GLC 300. I’ve only had this little SUV since August 2024. Before that, I was driving an F-150 and had driven a pickup going back to 2000. I have to say I do miss my truck. The GLC gets great gas mileage and is easy to park, but getting used to the small size of the SUV has been a challenge. I feel very vulnerable.
“The German engineering is okay, but I miss some of the features that the truck had that the GLC does not, like seat memory and touchscreen usability. The Mercedes was a bucket list item, but I have a feeling I will be back in my Texas pickup sooner or later!” – Lisa Kneggs, Fleet Manager, Farmer Brothers Coffee.
—
“I love driving new cars, in theory, but I tend to keep my cars for a very long time. When I replaced my last car last February, it was 11 years old. His name was Sebastian. When I replaced Sebastian, I was excited to experience all the new technology, things like a backup camera, lane departure, cross-traffic sensors, etc. You know, all those safety features we ensure are on our fleet vehicles, but we are less concerned about having them for ourselves.
“My new car, Toby, has ‘all the things’. I even did an hour-and-a-half-long online training session to learn about my car (I still missed the fact that my back cargo space can open by waving my foot).
“Here is what Toby has taught me: I am not a good driver. Frequently, he tells me to pay attention and sometimes even, ‘Sit up, pay attention!’ It’s all good. I sometimes hit a curb to remind him who is in charge.
“All in all, I love my safety-forward SUV, but we are still getting to know each other. Let’s see how the next 10 years or so go.” – Kimberly Fisher, Director, Global Fleet and Travel, NOV Inc.
—
Long-Term Loyalty and Simplicity
“I assume everyone else has more interesting vehicles than a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix I’ve had since 2005. I would think the car is now old enough to vote. It’s still pretty good, though.” – Joe Hoiberg, Asset Manager, Stanley Consultants.
—
“I own an older model premium sedan that I rarely drive. It has less than 30k miles and is seven years old! When my kids started driving, I downsized from an SUV and never looked back. There was no need for the extra room required to move teenagers from school events and competitions along with all their equipment. I still greatly enjoy driving — not in traffic. When possible, I enjoy a day trip through northern California wine country with a leisurely drive through curvy mountain roads, music too loud, and sun streaming through the sunroof.
“I rarely drive my car because I work remotely, and as the fleet lead, OEMs sometimes allow me to demo their newest models for a week or two. It provides insight into the real-world use of a vehicle to help evaluate if it’s an option for future vehicle selectors.” – SuYvonne Bell, Associate Director, Sales Operations, Gilead Sciences, Inc.
