Fleet management solutions providers are experiencing unprecedented disruption in their industry as the world embraces new trade policies altering operating costs. Recent studies show that new vehicles could see cost incursions between $3,000 and $15,000 per vehicle depending on the model type and geographic origin that will disrupt how fleets acquire vehicles across the industry.
Smart fleet operators understand that while tariffs are a major challenge, they are also an opportunity for the companies that make the necessary changes in a timely fashion. Strategic planning can be the difference in thriving and surviving in a shifting landscape.
Kooner’s Comprehensive Six-Point Strategy
Strengthening resilience against tariff impacts requires a comprehensive strategy that affects every aspect of new fleet maintenance and repairs operations. These six proven practices support truck management companies to turn cost pressures into competitive advantages using strategic planning and operational excellence.
Develop Stronger Supplier Networks
Fleet maintenance and repairs are most successful with supplier relationships that are strong enough to weather an economic storm. When developing a meaningful supplier relationship, it is important to establish multiple sourcing opportunities to mitigate unexpected price spikes and availability issues created by tariffs.
Nice strategies include requesting longer-term agreements that lock in favourable pricing, using cyclical communication loops to communicate with suppliers to work ahead of any pending changes, last, plan for several sourcing options in advance of sourcing shortages happening to keep heavy-duty roadside truck assistance operations free from parts shortages completely.
Having strong strategic sourcing partnerships allows for bulk purchasing, lessons learned can offset the impacts of tariffs and tariffs that can be negotiated for both parties in volume sales discounts and logistics cost sharing.
Optimising Preventive Maintenance Plans
Fleet maintenance and repairs become far more valuable with high-priced parts when predictive maintenance strategies are implemented. Data-backed predictive maintenance plans, PLUS delaying preventable failure, can cut down on the increased costs associated with emergency roadside assistance due to delays.
Implementation strategies include:
Establishing consistent maintenance schedules based on vehicle usage patterns
Utilising telematics data to predict component failures before they occur
Training technicians on efficient repair techniques that minimise parts consumption
Creating maintenance checklists that address high-wear components proactively
Research shows that effective preventive maintenance can reduce overall vehicle operating costs by 15-20%, making this investment particularly valuable during periods of elevated parts pricing.
Critical Components Strategic Inventory Management
To efficiently operate last-mile fleet maintenance operations, fleets need to do careful inventory planning to balance carrying costs against inventory availability needs. Good stocking strategies will allow fleets to avoid additional costs related to rush orders, while being operationally prepared.
Successful inventory strategies will identify fast-moving parts that are subject to high tariffs, implement tracking systems that allow for real-time stock level visibility, re-order levels based on historic usage data, and lead-time variability.
Innovative inventory management systems include predictive analytics that improve forecasting accuracy, eliminate unexpected overstock issues, and limit the need for unforeseen emergency orders to maintain a fleet.
Using Technology for Operational Intelligence
Most of today’s fleet management solutions rely on telematics and data metrics to manage fleet performance and predict maintenance. The best fleet maintenance facilities will see increased value as these technologies are used to navigate the cost constraints associated with tariffs.
When there is data collection on all of the operational targets:
Optimised vehicle usage can maximise asset values
Monitored driver behaviour can reduce wear and maintenance
Route planning can optimise fuel and reduce wear on the vehicle
Performance can identify additional efficiency opportunities.
Truck management company operations, and for example, fleet maintenance, are driven by predictive analytics, which takes early interventions to replace components vs. reactive repairs.
Reassessing Asset Lifecycle Management
Increasing vehicle and parts costs require a renewed look at asset acquisition and replacement processes. Fleet management solution providers must navigate the challenge of keeping vehicles for longer time periods as vehicle maintenance costs increase with age, as well as reliability issues.
A complete asset strategy assessment looks at current use rates and where available financing options minimise cash flow, adjustment of replacement timelines, and even reallocation of underutilised equipment.
With averages of roadside repair costs increasing 30% year-over-year in recent years, extended vehicle lifecycle management takes careful consideration of maintenance spending and replacement timing.
Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes
Emergency roadside assistance operations not only have to contend with the impact of tariffs, but constantly changing regulatory requirements that also impact the costs of compliance. Proactive observation of policy changes also allows planning and cost management.
Regular updates on regulatory matters also allow fleet operators to prepare for:
EPA emission standards that may impact vehicle specifications
Safety regulations that may impact equipment requirements
Trade policy changes that influence parts and vehicle prices.
State and local regulations impacting commercial vehicle operations.
Being on top of regulatory changes allows heavy-duty roadside assistance providers to adapt their approach to compliance requirements long before compliance deadlines create operational pressures.
Transforming Challenges into Competitive Advantages
Rising tariffs create market disruption, however, they provide equal competitive advantages for those companies that are willing to adapt. Fleet management solutions providers that openly admit tariffs are a complex challenge, and focus on comprehensive solutions, typically come out ahead of their competitors whom only react to cost pressures.
The value of implementation lies in understanding the tariff challenges as either improvement opportunities in operations, and not as an impediment to growth. Again, the companies that invest in their suppliers, invest in their maintenance programs, invest in tangible technology solutions will generally find the benefits in efficiency, will exceed the input costs.
This is especially true within last-mile fleet maintenance operations since the efficiency gains are translated into improved customer experience and service as employee deliver our promises to customers.
Ready to Level Up Your Fleet Management?
Kooner Fleet Management Solutions are dedicated to assisting companies manage complex market variables while improving their resilience and profitability in their operations. Our team comes from the industry with practical experience and an appreciation of technology to help increase efficiency and contribute tangible results for their truck management company operations regardless of size.
Call our specialists today and we can show you how these six point strategies can protect the competitive position of your fleet operations and reinforce the resilience of your operations within the fluid market scope.