Industry Insight On Fleet
Why Fleet Matters More Than You Think
Alex opens with thanks. A simple exchange, but one that sets the tone: garages are waking up to the fact that fleet isn’t just another bolt-on. It’s becoming a pillar. Tim, known to most as the Fleet Guy, has been pushing this message for years. And now, the industry is catching on.
From “Stay Away” to “Full Steam Ahead”
Not long ago, Alex himself was warning people off fleet and greenfield sites. Too much risk, too many unknowns. Yet here he is admitting he’s had to eat his own words. A new garage with no customer base is now relying heavily on fleet to get off the ground. It shows how quickly the ground shifts, what looked like a danger yesterday can be tomorrow’s opportunity.
How Fleet Guy Started
Tim explains that the idea didn’t come from a grand plan. It started at a tech conference at Silverstone. He shared some thoughts, and the reaction was bigger than expected. Garages wanted more: seminars, training, a way to understand fleet work properly.
That spark became the Fleet Guy platform:
- Training modules that cover everything from the basics of fleet through to audits and service agreements.
- Q&A webinars where garages can put their real-world questions on the table.
- Meet the Fleet sessions that bring operators into the room, often for the first time, and open up direct relationships.
Building a Standard
The long game is bigger than just training. The goal is a recognised standard, similar to what Corgi was for gas engineers. After twelve months, garages can apply to be Fleet Guy certified. The vision is to make that certification mean something industry-wide, a signal to operators that a garage knows what it’s doing.
Why Bother If You’re Already Busy?
The question every busy garage asks: why add fleet to the mix? Tim’s answer is clear. The industry is changing fast. With automated vehicle legislation on the horizon, and businesses under pressure to control costs, fleet is only going to grow in importance. Work is steady now, but relying solely on walk-in customers isn’t a long-term strategy. Fleet brings consistency, scale, and relationships that endure.
No Silver Bullets
Fleet Guy doesn’t promise to hand out work. That model has failed before. Instead, it gives garages the tools to win and manage fleet work themselves. Like a personal trainer, it’s not just about the exercises — it’s the discipline, the preparation, and the mindset. Follow the plan, and the work will follow.
Timestamps Throughout Youtube
- [00:00:40] Alex introduces Tim (“The Fleet Guy”), reflecting on how his guidance helped avoid mistakes in fleet work.
- [00:03:15] Conversation shifts to new garages — one greenfield site relying heavily on fleet despite earlier advice to avoid it.
- [00:07:10] Tim explains how “Fleet Guy” began after a strong response at the Silverstone Tech Conference.
- [00:12:30] Fleet Guy modules and community: training, Q&A webinars, audits, service level agreements, and certification plans.
- [00:17:20] The big question: Why should a busy garage even bother with fleet work? — Tim frames the industry shift and future of fleets.
Bottom line: Fleet isn’t a side hustle. It’s fast becoming a core part of the business model for forward-thinking garages. Those who adapt early will set the pace. Those who don’t may find the industry has moved on without them.
