What a well-run fleet costs — the benchmark target
What a well-run fleet costs — the benchmark target
Twenty episodes of problems deserve one episode on the destination.
What does a well-run fleet actually cost, per vehicle, per year?
The Fleet Management Association of Southern Africa publishes the most comprehensive benchmark dataset for Sub-Saharan African commercial fleet operations. Their 2023 benchmarking study, covering 140 fleets and approximately 12,000 vehicles, documents the following total operating cost per vehicle per year by vehicle category for top-quartile performers:
Benchmark costs by vehicle category
| Vehicle type | Top quartile ($/yr) | Median ($/yr) | Gap ($/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light commercial (1-tonne pickups) | $14,200–$18,400 | $19,800–$24,600 | $5,600–$6,200 |
| Medium trucks (5–10 tonne) | $38,000–$52,000 | $54,000–$71,000 | $16,000–$19,000 |
| Heavy trucks (18–40 tonne) | $88,000–$124,000 | $118,000–$162,000 | $30,000–$38,000 |
These gaps — between median performance and top-quartile performance — are entirely explained by the cost management practices documented throughout this series. Not by vehicle age. Not by route difficulty. Not by geography.
The six characteristics of top-quartile fleets
The FMASA study documents the top-quartile fleet characteristics:
- A formal preventive maintenance programme with documented compliance rate above 90%.
- A driver behaviour management programme with weekly scoring and documented coaching.
- A fuel card programme with mandatory odometer recording and monthly exception review.
- An insurance renewal process with formal risk data presentation to the broker.
- A parts procurement policy with an approved supplier list covering at least the top 20 spend lines.
- A vehicle utilisation tracking process reviewed monthly.
Six management practices. No capital expenditure required for any of them. The difference between median and top-quartile cost in every vehicle category, documented by 140 fleets. The benchmarks exist. The practices that achieve them are documented. The gap between where most fleets are and where the best ones are is a management decision, not a resource question. That is the series in one episode.
Sources
Fleet Management Association of Southern Africa Benchmarking Study (2023); FMASA top-quartile fleet characteristics documentation.
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