The rise of mobile fleet maintenance: Five key insights

This isn’t just a trend; it’s an evolution of how we view the fleet industry and best serve fleets across the nation. As an emerging solution to enhance uptime, mobile maintenance is worth digging into. Here are five key insights on the topic.

1. Industry coming around to mobile benefits

Mobile fleet maintenance is becoming increasingly popular as businesses recognize its advantages. Unlike traditional repair shops—which absolutely still play an important role and will continue to do so—mobile service addresses emergency roadside needs and allows maintenance to occur during scheduled downtimes, minimizing disruptions to logistics and reducing overtime costs. This shift is particularly beneficial for industries with large trailer fleets and consumer delivery services, where operational efficiency is paramount and going into a shop can be cumbersome. The bottom line: If fleets are down, owners lose money. Mobile maintenance provides a flexible solution.

2. Lost revenue now factored into total cost of ownership

Now, let’s explore downtime a bit more. Historically, fleet operators have focused on TCO when evaluating maintenance strategies. TCO is still a key metric, but the equation is expanding to include the financial impact of lost revenue when a vehicle is out of service. For example, if you have a vehicle out for a month waiting on a $1,000 part, you’re not just paying for the repair but the lost ROI from not having that vehicle working. Some fleet managers now prioritize faster repairs over warranty coverage to minimize downtime and revenue loss, underscoring the importance of speed and efficiency in maintenance decisions.

3. Technology has enabled mobile maintenance

As with every industry, technological advancements play a critical role in the success of mobile fleet maintenance. Tools such as telematics, diagnostic software, and scheduling apps enhance efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction. What’s more, sophisticated AI-powered predictive maintenance insights, powered by data analytics, are becoming more and more robust. This will help fleet operators that much more to schedule preventative maintenance at the most optimal time, while also preventing unscheduled repairs and maintaining smooth operations.

4. Addressing the technician shortage

Let’s shift from technology to the wrench-turning aspect of the business. An unfortunate reality of this industry is the ongoing tech shortage. This fact presents challenges for both mobile and shop-based maintenance services. As mobile maintenance expands, companies must invest in skilled technicians to provide quality service safely and efficiently. This puts an even greater emphasis on recruiting, training, and retention programs to ensure a steady, experienced workforce is ready to meet the growing demand.

At Fleet Services by Cox Automotive, for example, we rely on competitive pay, best-in-class company benefits, ongoing training and career development opportunities, as well as the tools and technology our team needs to safely and efficiently service our clients. We also provide flexibility and autonomy for technicians in setting their schedules. In addition, we offer FleeTec Academy, which is an entry-level course for individuals to learn the basics of turning wrenches and jumpstart their careers in the industry.

5. Dispelling misconceptions about mobile maintenance

Despite its advantages and rise in popularity, a recent Cox Automotive survey of fleet operators indicated 40% leverage mobile service today. While this number is on the rise, there’s still a significant number of operators who may be hesitant to fully embrace it. Concerns about oil spills and repair limitations persist, but modern mobile services are equipped to handle a wide range of repairs while adhering to environmental safety standards. While it is true that brick-and-mortar shops still have more tooling and more technicians, the capabilities of mobile providers continue to grow. As more fleet operators embrace mobile solutions, these misconceptions are gradually being addressed.

Conclusion

With all of that in mind, how do we sum it up? And where do we go from here? Here’s my take: Looking ahead, mobile maintenance is expected to continue growing, driven by technological advancements and evolving industry needs. The need for best-in-class technicians in a highly competitive market remains strong. AI-powered tools have the potential to further improve efficiency, optimize scheduling, and enhance predictive maintenance capabilities. Additionally, supply chain disruptions may lead to extended vehicle lifespans, increasing the demand for maintenance services.

What our industry can take away is that mobile maintenance is here to stay. It’s up to us to optimize this service, in addition to shop maintenance, to keep fleets across America more operational and profitable than ever before.