The Potential Dangers of Applying Passenger Car Technology and Methodology to Achieve Similar Goals in Commercial Vehicles

The “Fleet Administrator” or “Director of Maintenance” of the light and medium duty truck fleet in the United States is being subjected to many changes to his historical methods of doing business and to the vehicles he purchases. Federal legislation, which has had such profound effects upon the passenger car industry in the past, is now being directed toward the light and medium truck. The carry over effects of the passenger car regulations are compounded by the direct effects of light truck fuel economy and emissions standards.

This paper attempts to address the changes in the Automotive Industries brought on by federal legislation and the effects upon the commercial fleet user.