Fleet study shows scale of economic challenges facing transport and logistics industry
A newly published study of 850 fleet managers conducted by Dataforce on behalf of Continental Tyres last year, shows the scale of the economic challenges facing the transport and logistics industry.
The survey panel of fleet managers from France, the UK, Germany, and the US, included vehicle fleets with trucks, buses, vans, and passenger cars.
Continental says 76 per cent of those surveyed stated that rising costs were the biggest challenge facing their companies, while 46 per cent see major economic risks, caused by factors such as crises, conflicts, and fragile supply chains.
Fleet managers from the UK are particularly open to fundamental change. Four out of five (80 per cent) respondents see a significant need for transformation in their companies, and 73 per cent are concerned about their competitiveness.
In France, many transport and logistics companies are particularly concerned with aspects of climate-friendly transformation: 43 per cent want to reduce emissions, and 65 per cent are already investing in the electrification of their fleets.
More than half (51 per cent) of German fleet managers consider transformation necessary, and only 22 per cent are concerned about future competitiveness. In addition to rising costs, 58 per cent see the electrification of fleets and 48 per cent see a shortage of drivers as major challenges.
According to the survey, 48 per cent of German fleet managers see themselves as technological laggards – more than in any other country surveyed, as 47 per cent say they are pragmatists who only adopt new technologies once they have been tried and tested.
Only six per cent of respondents from Germany describe themselves as technological pioneers who actively seek out new solutions and are the first to adopt them. In France, on the other hand, 21 per cent see themselves as early adopters, and in the UK the figure is as high as 32 per cent.
Continental says the survey also highlighted the strong interest from fleet managers in digital tools that improve driver safety, minimise downtime, and help reduce costs.
“British fleets want technologies that pay for themselves quickly, increase efficiency, and simplify operations,” said Clarisa Doval, head of digital solutions at Continental Tire. “Our ContiConnect digital tyre management solution is easy to use and can be integrated into the transport yard and everyday business. This enables our customers to significantly reduce operating costs in a short period of time.”
Using sensors, ContiConnect transmits data on tyre condition and performance to fleet management in real time. With an overview of the entire fleet, fleet managers can plan maintenance intervals in advance, replace tyres at exactly the right time, and avoid breakdowns and downtime.
For buses in urban public transport, Continental is launching the Conti Urban NXT this year, its most sustainable commercial vehicle tyre to date. It consists of 59 per cent renewable or recycled materials, while combining low rolling resistance, robustness, and high mileage, making the Conti Urban NXT ideal for heavy battery-electric trucks.
