EDITOR’S DESK

We are settling back into some semblance of normalcy as we close off the first quarter of the year.

The industry is still plagued with product delays, but that hasn’t slowed sales down significantly.

Carmakers are still working with uncertainty in supply, but they seem confident enough to bring in vehicles commanding higher end prices and they are being successful at the same time.

We are also seeing a return to what we know in terms of how we all conduct business. Dealerships are open, motorways have gone back to awful peak periods of traffic, even cafes and restaurants have started taking reservations again.

Aside from consumers being told, “Sorry, we’re out of stock on that” our post-covid slice of paradise is looking like a better place to be as time goes on.

Now however, is not the time to relax. There’s still a long road to economic recovery and that means getting out there and putting your products in front of potential buyers.

There is obviously disposable income out there, but many consumers are suffering from a sort of spending paralysis and not knowing what to spend their money on. Your product? Only if they know about it or are guided to it.

Now, this month we have a News section but there was a late breaker which came in just on the last day of push-the-production button, so my usual soapbox gets highjacked but that’s OK, this – for some of you – is more important, so I would recommend putting in your e-diary:

Spotlight driver health and well-being webinar – free. Thursday 15 April, 2pm – 2.45pm

To register, book online, or email info@ brake.org.nz. Find out more about the event at: globalfleetchampions.org/events/ spotlight-on-driver-health-wellbeing/.

Fleet operators are encouraged to attend the latest free fleet safety webinar from Brake, which will be a focused look at the links between driver health, well-being and safety on the road.

The webinar, sponsored by Fleetcoach,

is part of a series of webinars run through

Global Fleet Champions, which shares best practice information and resources for addressing road risk.

Attendance is open to health and safety staff, fleet managers, senior management staff, and anyone else with responsibility for at-work drivers at their organisation.

This webinar will discuss: determines good health, well-being and safety of employees in organisations. where employees can flourish and be safe. Keynote speaker will be Dr Robert Isler, Associate Professor of Applied Cognitive Psychology at University of Waikato and Head of Research at Fleetcoach. His research forms the basis for both edrive (for learner drivers) and Fleetcoach (at-work and fleet drivers) training programmes.

Organisations can also access more events, webinar recordings and fleet safety resources by joining Global

Fleet Champions, Brake’s not-for-profit membership service, sharing good practice in addressing road risk.

Free to join, members receive access to resources such as guidance reports and tools for using with drivers, access to Brake’s webinars, information about other Brake events, and the latest road safety research. Find out more and join at www.globalfleetchampions.org.

In the meantime, we have a fair bit in the magazine for you this month: not just one, but two comparison tests, and some top tips on signage as well as a little insight into a fleet leasing giant looking out for the little guy/gal.

Enjoy the read, and I’ll catch you next time.