Choosing the Right Fleet Vehicles
Get the Right Fleet Vehicles at the Best Value for Your Business
Vehicle selection is an essential part of building a high-performing fleet. Whether you’re looking for fuel economy, targeted resale value, a specific style, or a specific price, we'll build a vehicle selection list for you. We are unbiased in our approach to finding the best vehicles for your needs—we look at all makes, models, and upfitting options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the vehicles in my fleet if my needs change?
At Ewald, we work with you to make sure the right vehicle is in place for the right application. If your vehicle needs change, we'll work with you to identify the new recomended vehicle(s) to meet your requirements.
Can I change the size of my fleet? How often?
We understand that your fleet needs may change from time to time depending on the growth of your business. There is no problem with adding or removing vehicles as needed. We're here to make the road ahead easier for you, and we'll help you adjust your fleet based on your specific needs.
Does Ewald handle life cycling strategies?
At Ewald Fleet Solutions, we work with you to implement a vehicle life cycling strategy that puts you in control of your operating costs and saves you money. The optimal life cycling point occurs when the vehicle's maintenance and depreciation costs are still low. We identify the best time to cycle your vehicles out of your fleet, factoring in annual miles, usage, make, model, and time of the year for resale. A vehicle's maintenance history and any upfitted equipment can also influence its value. Having a proper vehicle life cycling strategy in place will maximize resale value and lower your overall operating expenses.
Can I upfit my current fleet vehicles?
If your fleet needs have changed, or you just want a refresh, we work with you to upfit your current fleet vehicles. We can upfit any existing vehicles with new equipment to meet new job requirements or update graphics to stay consistent with brand standards.
How to handle fleet vehicle life cycling
Learn how to handle fleet vehicle life cycling
- Understand the life cycling process
Life cycling refers to the process of replacing fleet vehicles before depreciation and maintenance start to cost more than acquiring new vehicles. Having a consistent vehicle life cycling strategy in place saves money in the long run.
- Understand the connection between life cycling and operating costs
When the optimal point to remove vehicles from your fleet has passed, maintenance costs will begin to rise due to the age and mileage of the vehicle. Combined with accelerating depreciation, this will lead to overall higher costs than if you were to cycle out the vehicles for newer ones.
- Find balance between depreciation and market value
The optimal cycling point occurs when the vehicle's maintenance costs are still low and the depreciated value is equal to the market value of the vehicle.
- Work with a fleet specialist who can optimize the life cycling process for you
At Ewald, our fleet management specialists are experts in the life cycling process. Speak with a specialist to develop a life cycling strategy for your business.
How to choose fleet vehicles based on need
Learn how to choose fleet vehicles based on need
- List the roles and purpose of each fleet vehicle
It's important to understand the purpose of every fleet vehicle before deciding on the make, model or upfitting requirements. Optimizing for comfort will result in a different vehicle choice than optimizing for moving cargo, for example.
- Consult fleet drivers
Your employees have the most experience with vehicles in the field. Ask them what their needs are, and work to balance these with the needs of your company and your overall budget. Getting driver input will help improve employee satisfaction, and satisfied employees take better care of fleet vehicles.
- Speak with a fleet management professional
At Ewald Fleet Solutions, our fleet professionals specialize in helping companies decide on the right vehicles to fill any need. We take an unbiased approach to fleet leasing, considering all makes, models, and upfitting options when choosing the best vehicles for our customers.
How to choose fleet vehicles based on price
Learn how to choose fleet vehicles based on price
- Start by determining the vehicle's end purpose
Choosing fleet vehicles based solely on price will end up costing more in the long run if they aren't the right ones for the job. Carefully considering each vehicle's end purpose will ensure you don't spend money on a vehicle that hinders your employee's work or that you'll end up needing to replace. Getting the right vehicle for the job should always come before considering cost.
- Speak to fleet drivers
Fleet drivers who use vehicles daily have the most experience operating them and can provide valuable insights on the day-to-day needs of the job.
- Consider the long term costs
Choosing an older or less expensive vehicle can seem attractive at first, but the higher maintenance and fuel costs associated with older vehicles will increase your fleet's total cost of ownership in the long run.
- Determine which upfitting options are needed
Upfitting options like ladder racks, tailgate ramps, and glass racks should be factored in when considering the overall cost of a leased vehicle.
- Meet with a fleet management professional
At Ewald, our fleet management professionals specialize in finding the right, fit-for-purpose fleet vehicles for your budget, while taking the long term needs of your fleet into account."
