That’s the key finding of a survey from ExxonMobil, entitled ‘Future of Fleets’, which looked into the behaviours, concerns and predictions of senior managers at top commercial transportation companies across Europe.
Across all markets surveyed, 71% anticipate business growth in the next 12 months, with 48% predicting a significant increase of 11-30%.
However, there are several challenges: 40% of respondents foresee tough economic conditions and volatile markets as the biggest threat to their business in the next five years. In addition, unpredictable fuel prices and factors such as increasing emissions regulations – including the 2020 EU Directive – are all high on the agenda.
In light of this, cost control – and specifically fuel efficiency – is in sharp focus, with 65% of those polled looking closely at fleet maintenance. Driver training and the use of telematics feature prominently in the drive for fuel efficiency. But only a third of respondents are using fuel-efficient lubricants.
“The long term potential of lubricants to help drive fuel efficiency remains untapped for many fleets,” says Maciej Marcinowski, commercial vehicle lubricants marketing advisor for EMEA at ExxonMobil.
“When choosing lubricants, almost 40% of those polled purchased the cheapest option available. And, when asked how lubricants are viewed within their business, 64% replied that they are seen as a cost that needs to be kept low.
“It’s important that the approach changes to viewing the purchase as an investment that may help save money in the long run.”
The company says high-performance lubricants, such as its Mobil Delvac 1 LE 5W-30, could improve fuel economy, as well as providing better protection against wear and deposit formation.
Click the link below to read the Future of Fleets report.