Back to Basics

With the cost of vehicles at an all-time high, it's a reminder to let telematics do the heavy lifting for you.

 

Across the UK, vehicle shortages have led to a dramatic spike in prices for new motors. In the face of this price hike, should transport managers scrape the bottom of the piggy bank or use telematics to embrace the world of do-it-yourself vehicle maintenance?

 

Vehicle shortages: what is the inside scoop?  

The global issue the automotive industry is currently experiencing can be attributed to various factors, from inflation to Brexit, but is mainly down to the shortage of computer chips that are vital in car production. And with the semiconductor chip shortage expected to have cost the global automotive industry $210 billion in revenue in 2021[1], calling it a pressing issue is an understatement. Alongside the scarcity of materials such as copper, aluminium and cobalt, fewer new vehicles are rolling off production lines.

As a result, not only have prices for new vehicles soared, but transport managers found that orders for the 2021 model year were cut off earlier than usual, with 95% of fleets reporting delays in receiving new vehicles.[2]

Whilst many recreational drivers have pivoted to the challenging used-car market, for transport managers, this shortage means that reliance on existing vehicles is the most viable current option, despite this not being the most environmentally friendly option.

And, of course, the increased cost and difficulty of buying vehicles is not the only pressure facing transport professionals. Fuel prices remain high, following the onslaught of panic buying that emptied the country’s forecourts last year, as well as increased pressures to switch to cleaner vehicles, with new regulations coming into force such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion in Greater London.

 

The solution awaits

Whilst that doesn’t paint the most positive picture for motorists and transport operatives, the vehicle shortage in fact provides an opportunity for a renewed focus on using telematics to support vehicle maintenance.

Motorists can utilise software and data to inform vehicle maintenance decisions that will help them avoid the stress of buying or selling a car in the current climate.

Whether you are a motorist wanting to guard your bank account or a transport manager looking after a large fleet, there are some key tenets of vehicle maintenance that you’ll want to use your data to help solve.

 

Tyres

Flat tyres are one of the most common roadside emergencies that a motorist can experience – in the United States alone, approximately seven tire punctures occur every second, resulting in 220 million flat tires per year[3]. So, knowing when to replace a flat tyre is certainly a useful weapon to have in your arsenal.

Software like Teletrac Navman’s TN360 Platform, can identify when a vehicle has been travelling over a certain number of miles, and thus can be used by transport managers to help know when it’s time for a tyre check.

 

Fluids

Routinely checking your vehicle’s fluids is extremely important, and it should be one of the primary focuses for any car maintenance checklist. Alongside engine oil, motorists should regularly check their vehicle brake fluid, transmission fluids, coolant, and windshield washer fluid.

Whilst telematics might not be able to fill up your fluids for you physically, the software can monitor a vehicle’s usage and the level lot of wear and tear, highlighting that vehicles may need more regular engine oil top-ups.

 

Brakes

Brakes are a critical component on every vehicle and using software to build an awareness around safe brake usage is a great asset for any transport manager. For example, telematics can highlight when individual drivers frequently break too harshly, therefore damaging the health of the brakes, so can be a useful tool in managing brake safety. 

 

Knowledge is key

Knowledge really is key when addressing vehicle maintenance. As any transport manager will know, automotive repair is no walk in the park. Therefore, it’s vital that decisions are informed and detailed. Pre-trip checklist tools which enable drivers to complete a wide range of digital checklists, including vehicle pre-trip inspections and driver fit for duty assessments, are one way that transport managers can improve safety, compliance, and maintenance.  

And with solutions like Teletrac Navman’s TN360 on the market, it’s easier than ever before to use data and telematics for strategic fleet and vehicle management purposes.

If the covid-fuelled DIY and digital trends have highlighted anything, it’s that maintaining and repairing existing goods and embracing digital tools is a key cost and time saver. And that’s no different for the transport industry.

Using technology to raise awareness about easy ways to carry out vehicle maintenance may not solve the current vehicle shortage and associated cost increase, but it can be part of a long-term strategy whereby drivers and transport managers place onus on utilising first-hand information to prioritise safety and security. 

 

[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/23/chip-shortage-expected-to-cost-auto-industry-210-billion-in-2021.html

[2] https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/car-industry-news/2021/10/28/what-does-the-semiconductor-shortage-mean-for-fleet-managers-ad-feature

[3] Active Tools, http://www.activetools.com/education-center/the-science-behind-our-compressors