A mixed bag: The pros and cons of mixed fleets

Regardless of the motivation, there are pros and cons to mixed fleets. Let's first look at the pros.

Pros

+ Enabling growth

Many companies find themselves in an increasingly competitive business environment in which they must diversify their services to survive and grow. A mixed fleet can ensure that you get the right vehicle to support your new offerings. If, for example, your fleet is currently composed of the one manufactured pickup truck for supervisors, perhaps that same position would be better supported with a less costly compact SUV. Another example, using the single manufacturer scenario would be if a supervisor is driving a 1/2-ton pickup of one manufacturer, then the 3/4- or 1-tons may require a heavier duty suspension and engine for payload purposes, so you can pivot to another manufacturer that better meets those needs.  

+ Getting better deals

When you're not married to a single manufacturer, you can obtain inventory more readily available on the lot or from a factory order from multiple manufacturers. Thus, enabling your ability to get a vehicle that is required for the job, on-site and turning out revenue for the company.

+ Enhancing resiliency

By removing your fleet from dependency on a single supplier, you gain some protection against supply chain disruptions that may hit one OEM harder than the others. Waiting months for a delayed delivery can put a fleet in a really tight spot. A diversity of vehicles can free you from this headache. This same principle applies to tariffs that can add significant cost to some makes and models but not others.

+ Meeting sustainability goals

When it comes to adding electric vehicles to your ICE-only fleet, it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing scenario. Even the addition of a relatively few EVs can have a meaningful impact on your fuel spend and help your company meet its sustainability goals.

Now on to the cons. These are substantial because mixed fleets are, by their very nature, more complex. Many mixed fleet operations turn to experienced fleet management companies (FMCs) who are adept at navigating this complexity.

Cons

- More challenging maintenance

Mixed fleets complicate in-house maintenance management. After all, each vehicle type requires specific expertise, tools, and parts inventory. A fleet combining, say, GM trucks, Lexus sedans, and Mercedes-Benz vans requires that you have technicians who are familiar with the systems, diagnostic tools, and maintenance protocols of those three different manufacturers. Of course, this complexity only increases as you add other makes and models to your fleet.

The challenge extends to preventive maintenance scheduling. Non-mixed fleets enjoy consistent maintenance intervals and procedures, while mixed fleets require multiple maintenance tracks and parts inventory (i.e. filters, hoses, etc.). Without the proper oversight or FMC partnership, this can lead to delayed or missed maintenance, which can result in costly breakdowns and botched delivery deadlines that irritate your customers.

- Technology hurdles to clear

These days, fleet management depends heavily on AI-powered telematics and integrated software systems. These provide the essential data-driven insights that lead to the coveted industry trifecta: fleets that are more efficient, cost-effective, and safe.

But mixed fleets can complicate these goals. Different manufacturers employ varying telematics protocols, data formats, and integration capabilities. Fleet managers must either accept fragmented data streams from multiple systems or invest in integration platforms that normalize data across different vehicle types. Working with an exceptional FMC who handles the data part can help fleet managers clear technology hurdles.

- More layers to driver training

Driver training also becomes more nuanced with mixed fleets. Your drivers must become familiar with different vehicle controls, safety systems, and operational characteristics. For example, a driver comfortable with one manufacturer's data display system may struggle with another's interface, which can negatively impact productivity and safety.  That said, a fleet manager can either take on the challenges of overseeing driver training internally or partner with a qualified Fleet Management Company (FMC) to help monitor performance and leverage the differences among various manufacturers.

- Additional OEM details to wrestle with

Acquisition strategies for mixed fleets demand more advanced planning and market analysis. This requires fleet managers to track inventory, product cycles, and incentive programs across multiple manufacturers. Such complexity elevates the effort involved in acquisitions.

The same goes for lifecycle management; it, too, becomes more layered with mixed fleets. Consider all that you must account for:

• Different vehicle types depreciate at varying rates
• Optimal replacement timing differs across makes and models
• Depreciation curves vary from vehicle to vehicle, as do residual value predictions
• Market fluctuations can impact certain vehicle types but not others
• As for vehicle resale, the secondary market dynamics differ among vehicle types

This volume of data typically requires the sophisticated analytical tools and deep market expertise that top-tier FMCs offer.

- Trickier risk management

Fleet diversification also complicates risk management strategies because fleet managers must monitor multiple manufacturers' warranties, support agreements, recall notices, safety bulletins, and quality issues. Insurance considerations also become more complex as different vehicle types carry varying risk profiles and coverage requirements. Again, an established FMC can help manage all these details for you.

- Harder accounting and cost analysis

The financial management of mixed fleets requires sophisticated accounting and analysis capabilities. Total cost of ownership calculations become more complex as different vehicle types have varying operational costs, maintenance requirements, and residual values. Fleet managers must develop comprehensive cost models that account for these differences while providing meaningful comparisons across vehicle types.

Budgeting and forecasting for mixed fleets also demand more analysis since maintenance costs vary significantly across manufacturers and vehicle types, making accurate budget projections challenging. Fleet managers must balance the desire for operational flexibility with the need for predictable costs and simplified administration, and working with a dedicated FMC can make these tasks a little easier.

Complexity and competitive advantage

Mixed fleets have their advantages, particularly when it comes to selecting just the right vehicle for every job, garnering the best deals on new vehicles, and protecting your fleet against ever-shifting market dynamics. However, mixed fleets demand a higher level of expertise, more sophisticated data systems, and greater attention to operational details. Companies that can master this complexity—or that work with an exceptional FMC that has—could find themselves with a competitive advantage in an increasingly demanding and unpredictable business environment.