Fleet managers have a notorious affinity for hats. At Caritas Vehicle Services, our vehicle management specialists are constantly switching one hat out for another--the logistics expert "fedora", the industry insider "bowler cap", the asset manager "baseball cap", the business analyst "flat-brim", the driver safety guru "ten-gallon cowboy hat", the drivers' lifeline "beanie" & maintenance authority "pork pie hat". Needless to say, to manage this significant variety of head gear demands a plethora of experience and professional grace.

There is nothing more embarrassing than failing to parallel park on a crowded street in the summer, when pedestrians stop to laugh and point while other drivers scorn you for taking up the road. Fear not, for those days are nearly behind us! Groundbreaking developments in car sensor technology has allowed manufacturers to offer Automatic Parallel Parking as a feature in a handful of newer model vehicles. However, like any other computerized mechanism, it will only work if you know how to use it. 

Fuel cost is one of the most cumbersome economic burdens that fleet managers face. Fluctuating prices, inefficient vehicle models and certain driving habits can all contribute to what becomes a hypothetical black hole of funds. To help alleviate some worry and allow for a more measurable method of fuel consumption, we have found an online Fuel Cost Calculator which measures the fuel cost of a trip by asking for the trip distance, fuel efficiency of your model vehicle, and gas/fuel price. 

Author Robert Swan wrote, "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." When Swan's words were written, the world was a much different place. More specifically, people still had library cards. Modernity, however, has brought us access to all of the information in the known world at the touch of a button. And while many ignored Al Gore's pleas throughout his film, "An Inconvenient Truth", it continues to become more difficult to remain oblivious about the state of our environmental climate. 

There is a reason that the core statement of Caritas Vehicle Services is "Our mission is to serve". We chose these words because we strive to the best of our ability to provide the same care to our clients that they provide to their local & global communities. We revere the Sisters to whom we provide vehicle management solutions, learning from their devotion to God and His creation just as we hope they are able learn from our automotive expertise. With pride in this reciprocal relationship, we know that our efforts as fleet management specialists help alleviate the administrative burden of vehicle management and allow our clients to remain focused on their own ministry and mission. 

Do you remember that uneasy feeling and awkward sense of confusion the first time you encountered a roundabout? You were driving down a perfectly straight road that suddenly collided with a massive, paved circle, painted with white lines and dotted with bright, yellow yield signs. Enclosed in the center of the circle is an island of grass and some shrubbery. For some, it was like driving for the first time. Roundabouts can be quite tricky to navigate, but once you know the rules of the road, follow the signage, and gain some experience, you'll discover that roundabouts will actually help you make it safely to your destination in less time and with a lower chance of a collision.

I-Robot came out in 2004 and introduced its audiences to a dark vision of our future where cars drive themselves, robots are utilized by humans for nearly everything, and Lake Michigan has dried up. Luckily, we're nowhere near the latter two circumstances, but the first was already being realized when the film came out.

We must begin by stating that this is NOT an article with tips on how to do donuts in the snow. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. At Caritas Vehicle Services, we strive to maintain a perfect record when it comes to driver safety. Such is the reason for many of our practices, including the toll-free 1-800 number that drivers can call at any time to speak with an ASE-certified technician. We also make sure our clients are insured and that regular maintenance checks are performed on each vehicle in a fleet. 

Making informed decisions often requires one to ask the right questions. If you are reading this, you are likely already asking yourself this important question: Would it make sense to outsource the management of my fleet?

Here’s the short answer: Enlisting a professional fleet management organization that has an advanced analytical toolkit, close relationships with each auto manufacturer and years of experience can reduce costs in a great many areas, while also allowing your organization to focus on your own core business. However, before deciding whether partnering with a professional fleet manager is the right move for your Community, there are a few more details to consider, and Caritas would like to smooth the decision-making process by asking a few questions of our own...