Continental supports fleet operators with safe and durable commercial vehicle tyres, digital solutions, and comprehensive consulting services to increase the efficiency of their vehicles and reduce costs.
The transport and logistics industry across Europe and North America is facing mounting pressure from rising operating costs and growing economic uncertainty. These concerns were echoed in The Future of the Fleets study, commissioned by Continental and conducted by Dataforce last year, which surveyed 850 fleet managers across France, the UK, Germany, and the US.
Franziska Ohliger, Head of Commercial Consumer Business Solutions at Continental Tires
The survey panel included vehicle fleets with trucks, buses, vans, and passenger cars. 76 per cent of those surveyed stated that rising costs were the biggest challenge facing their companies. 46 per cent see major economic risks, caused by factors such as crises, conflicts, and fragile supply chains.
No fleets are alike
Differences in competitiveness, digitalisation, and readiness for transformation are evident. “Our survey confirms what we observe in our business with our customers: every market is different, and no two fleets are alike,” says Franziska Ohliger, Head of Commercial Consumer Business Solutions at Continental. “That’s why we offer adaptable, tailor-made solutions that are optimised for the regional conditions, digital development status and individual key figures of our customers.”
Differences in competitiveness, digitalisation, and readiness: Every market is different, and no two fleets are alike.
United Kingdom: strong interest in digital solutions
Fleet managers from the United Kingdom are particularly open to fundamental change in the survey, with four out of five respondents seeing a significant need for transformation in their companies, and 73 per cent are concerned about their competitiveness.
There is strong interest 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,” says Clarisa Doval, Head of Digital Solutions at Continental Tyres. “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.
France: focus on sustainability
Respondents in France are also ready for change, with three out of four fleet managers recognising a significant need for transformation. At the same time, 64 per cent of respondents are sceptical about the future competitiveness of their companies.
Many French transport and logistics companies are particularly concerned with aspects of climate-friendly transformation, with 43 per cent seeking to reduce emissions, and 65 per cent already investing in the electrification of their fleets. “French fleet managers are not only ready for innovation, they are actively taking action,” explains Franziska Ohliger from Continental.
She points to truck tyres such as the Conti Eco, which combines low rolling resistance, robustness, and high mileage, making it ideal for heavy battery-electric trucks. For buses in urban public transport, Continental is launching the Conti Urban NXT tyre this year, its most sustainable commercial vehicle tyre to date. It consists of 59 per cent renewable or recycled materials.
Germany: cost pressure, little willingness to change
Respondents from Germany are less open to change, even though they complain most frequently about cost pressure and economic uncertainty. Only 51 per cent of German fleet managers consider transformation necessary, and only 22 per cent are concerned about future competitiveness.
Alongside rising costs, 58 per cent of fleet managers cite electrification as a major challenge, while 48 per cent point to a shortage of drivers as a key concern. 48 per cent of German fleet managers also see themselves as technological laggards – more than in any other country surveyed. 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.
“In Germany, in particular, we have a great opportunity to transform risk-averse fleets into highly efficient industry champions through digital solutions,” says Doval. “Our ContiConnect tyre management solutions and our comprehensive consulting concept are proven methods for making fleets fit for the future.”
Click here for the study “The Future of Fleets. A report by Continental”.