The businesses have to suffer much when their vehicles go through a breakdown. The vehicle breakdown is not merely a minor loss for a company but has a much deeper impact on a business. Even the absence of one vehicle on the road can mean reduced productivity for your business. Therefore, it is a must to keep a check on the breakdowns of the vehicle for the success of your business.
In totality, downtime expenses can go eight times higher than expectations. Not only this but each out-of-service vehicle costs from $850 to $1,000 per day on average. This impact is a big setback for a small-scale company which is why these businesses need to be aware of how to keep their downtime in control.
This blog will shed light on the tips that will help you have a regulated Fleet Management.
Prominent Challenges of Vehicle Fleet Management
Undoubtedly, the role of a fleet maintenance manager is quite crucial. With the evolution of technology, fleet management systems are becoming more and more sophisticated and advanced. However, the skills and parts indispensable to keep maintenance of the fleet vehicles are becoming excessively complex and even pricey. If you have a scarcity of proficient mechanics and technicians then it is quite challenging to manage and carry out adequate fleet maintenance programs in the contemporary age.
Additionally, many business entrepreneurs and managers are highly aware of how to curtail fleet costs. If the fleet managers are not given a proper budget allocation then they find it difficult to do their jobs effectively. Therefore, if you invest in a proper fleet maintenance system it will be the best solution to cut long-term repair costs and enhance fleet efficiency which means higher profit margins.
Repercussions of Vehicle Fleet Downtime
Increased Repair Costs
Downtime can have a significant impact on the cost of operating a vehicle. While repair and maintenance costs are usually planned ahead of time, unexpected breakdowns can result in additional unforeseen expenses. The expenses related to emergency repairs and towing are often higher than typical maintenance tasks. Additionally, rental vehicle costs may also be incurred while your fleet vehicle is being repaired. These expenses can add up quickly and hurt your business's budget.
Loss of Productivity
Downtime can lead to a decrease in productivity. When a vehicle is out of commission, other vehicles must pick up the slack, which can result in increased wear on those vehicles. If the vehicle has specialized equipment for a particular service, that service may be temporarily unavailable. Moreover, your office may be inundated with complaints about delays, which can make it difficult for workers to assist customers who are calling in for service.
Diminished Revenue
Failing to deliver goods or services within an expected time frame can result in dissatisfied customers, leading to a decline in revenue for your company. Unhappy customers may stop doing business with you and take their potential referrals with them.
How to Keep a Check on Vehicle Fleet Failures?
Have proper control of the frequent vehicle fleet breakdowns with these strategies;
Have an Effective Fleet Maintenance Strategy
It is suggested to prefer prevention to cure in the first place. You can help your organization curtail costs not corners with an adequate approach to preventive maintenance. A high-quality GPS tracking device is the best to connect with your vehicle’s dashboard.
With the help of this automated process, you have detailed accurate and up-to-date information that is useful for making better decisions for fleet maintenance and general fleet operations. This mitigates human errors that can arise from manually inputting and reporting information. It also saves precious time for you.
Have a Substitute for Older Fleet Vehicles
Fleet vehicles after a certain mileage, get to a point where they require regular and extensive maintenance. Replacing older vehicles is better than working with old vehicles. Though the option of replacement may seem to be daunting due to its costs, it is quite less than the cost of keeping older vehicles for a longer time.
Older vehicles need more maintenance and tend to experience frequent breakdowns on the road, resulting in unanticipated and costly downtime. You can make a plan for when to retire vehicles and have an option of replacement in your budget.
GPS Asset Tracking: A Fleet Maintenance Strategy That Works Wonder!
Do you know that modern and up-to-date GPS tracking devices are more than just tracking locations and vehicle diagnostics? Yes, you heard it right. They are much more than tracking. Track Me GPS solutions help you keep a tab on the driver behaviours that can otherwise take a toll on your fleet’s vehicles and can result in risky vehicle accidents.
Find out how Track Me’s fleet management solutions are optimal for you and how they complement your effective strategy to maintain your fleet.