Merchants Fleet has expanded its maintenance partnership with Pep Boys, giving the automotive service provider a larger role within its national service network.

The updated agreement builds on a 30-year relationship between the two companies and will direct a greater share of Merchants Fleet's maintenance volume to Pep Boys' nearly 800 locations nationwide. The companies said the move is intended to improve service consistency, streamline maintenance operations, and reduce vehicle downtime for fleet customers.

As part of the expanded partnership, Merchants Fleet and Pep Boys will work more closely on operational coordination, performance management, and long-term strategy development.

"As fleets face increasing pressure to maximize uptime and control costs, having a strong, aligned maintenance network is more important than ever," said Jeff Nieman, senior vice president and chief operations officer at Merchants Fleet.

According to Merchants Fleet, the expanded relationship supports its strategy of directing customers toward strategic service providers that can improve turnaround times and maintenance outcomes.

"Our 30-year partnership with Merchants Fleet is a testament to the power of long-term collaboration and shared priorities," added Chris Magana, senior vice president of commercial fleet at Pep Boys. "With our nationwide footprint of nearly 800 locations, full-service capabilities, and dedicated local support teams, we're able to deliver consistent, high-quality service that simplifies fleet operations."

Merchants Fleet said it continues to invest in its maintenance ecosystem to help customers improve vehicle availability, control costs, and minimize downtime.