NEWS RELEASE

For Further Information Contact:
Amy Hamman (419) 841-2244

NEW MARKET STUDY BENCHMARKS COMMERCIAL FLEET
OUTSOURCING PRACTICES

TOLEDO, OHIO – Havill Consultants has released a new syndicated market study benchmarking the outsourcing practices of commercial fleet operators.  Over sixty automobile and truck manufacturers, aftermarket parts suppliers, vehicle maintenance chains, leasing companies, major oil companies, and fleet card providers contributed to the design of this extensive new study.

Havill researchers conducted executive interviews with 1,600 fleet administrators over a nine-month period in 1999.  “How fleet administrators use the Internet to research, purchase, and track vehicle related expenditures was a hot topic among companies that joined together to fund the research,” reported Ms. Amy Hamman, Manager of Consulting Services at Havill.

As you would expect, outsourcing practices varied greatly by type and size of fleet.  For that reason, research findings were reported for each of the ten major fleet types: agriculture, construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, short haul, long haul, service, utility, and government.  Subscribers use this market segmentation analysis to identify underserved customer groups and to more effectively target their market communications.

This research was a follow-up to Havill’s well-respected 1995 Commercial Fleet Study.  According to Ms. Hamman, “our 1995 report projected that strict EPA regulations would cause a major shift in commercial fleet refueling.  Indeed, this new study found that the off-site refueling market has expanded by three billion gallons.  This movement of commercial gallons is just one indicator of the growing tendency among fleet administrators to outsource their vehicle related activities.”

Havill Consultants is a marketing research and consulting firm that specializes in the petroleum and transportation industries.  In addition to market studies, Havill & Company, Inc. also provides database marketing and sales force automation services.  In 2000, Havill is conducting a new syndicated study forecasting structural change in the market for petroleum equipment brought on by EPA regulations, oil company consolidation, and the emerging hypermarkets.

For further information about this study or Havill services contact Amy Hamman of Havill & Company, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio at (419) 841-2244.