News

What’s Driving the Shift in Fleet Technician Skillsets 

Fleet operations are facing a turning point. Vehicles are becoming more complex, data-driven, and environmentally advanced. Yet as fleets race ahead, technician skillsets and capabilities are struggling to keep pace.  

Operators report that 77% of rising costs are their top concern, with driver shortages, increased regulation, and maintenance complexity ranking high among persistent challenges. Meanwhile, experienced technicians are retiring faster than replacements can be trained. A recent report estimates a shortage of nearly 613,000 technicians by 2024, with updated projections now reaching nearly 971,000 between 2024 and 2028. 

At the same time, fleets using telematics and data tools are seeing measurable benefits. According to a recent industry trends report, GPS fleet tracking delivers an average of 16% savings on fuel, maintenance, and [...]

Fleet operators today are navigating tighter budgets, technician shortages, and rising expectations around safety, compliance, and uptime. The traditional “fix it when it breaks” model no longer supports the scale or reliability that today’s transportation landscape demands. 

Programmed fleet maintenance offers a structured, proactive alternative. It replaces guesswork with visibility, urgency with planning, and uncertainty with predictability. It is quickly becoming a central strategy for operators who want to run smarter, safer, and more sustainable fleets. 

That’s why programmed fleet maintenance is gaining momentum. It gives operators structure where there was once chaos, helping them shift from firefighting to forward planning. 

This article explains what programmed fleet maintenance is, why it matters, and how it supports long-term performance, safety, and profitability.

The Real Cost of Unplanned Fleet [...]

Why Timing Your Fleet Purchase Could Mean Big Tax Savings 

In today’s transportation industry, timing matters especially when it comes to capital investments. That’s why fleet operators across the country are taking a closer look at a recent tax update that could significantly reduce their year-end expenses. 

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) restores 100% bonus depreciation on qualifying equipment, including new and used motorcoaches placed in service after January 19, 2025. For operators, this means greater financial flexibility, smarter tax planning, and an opportunity to reinvest in the future of their fleets.

Fleet Strategy Isn’t Just About Vehicles, It’s About Financial Planning 

ABC Companies supports fleet operators beyond the sale. As a long-time partner to private and public operators, we understand the challenges many are facing [...]

Winter Garden, FL – July 22, 2025, ABC Companies is proud to announce the launch of its ABC FleetForward™, a new initiative developed to reduce operational burdens and simplify service planning for fleet operators. 

The program is led by Gage Kelly, recently promoted to National Service Sales Manager at ABC. His new role reflects the company’s commitment to putting customers first by developing solutions that directly address key service challenges, including unpredictable maintenance costs and the complexities of coordinating multiple vendors.

“ABC FleetForward™ is designed to simplify fleet maintenance through a turnkey solution that keeps vehicles on the road and allows operators to focus on what matters most—delivering reliable service to their passengers,” said Kelly. “By reducing the complexity of managing multiple service needs, we help improve uptime and deliver [...]

When my grandfather, Clancy Cornell, founded ABC Companies in 1972, he wasn’t thinking about legacy. He was thinking about people. He was thinking about showing up early, finding the root of a problem, and fixing it right the first time. He was focused on earning trust through consistency, not convenience. Those early days were marked by adopting a hands-on approach, answering calls at all hours, personally delivering parts to a stranded fleet, and building our reputation for reliability and respect. 

That mindset became the foundation of our family’s leadership style. My father, Ron, and my uncle, Dane, inherited those values and embraced growth with integrity. They built our business from a handful of service bays to a multi-state operation, guided by valuing relationships and earning trust. They expanded service centers, staffed [...]