Fleet Maintenance Technicians

Mechanics have been needed to maintain and repair fleets of cars, trucks, construction and vehicles and equipment ever since the first motorized vehicles were created. But specialized teams of mechanics probably first were assembled to maintain the U.S. Army’s motorized vehicles and other equipment in the early 1900s. Demand for mechanics increased when the U.S. officially entered World War I in 1917. In the business world, multinational corporations began operating vehicle fleets in the 1950s. Today, fleet maintenance is a key component of any successful business, nonprofit, or government agency that has a large number of vehicles or equipment that it needs to keep in top working order. Studies show that effective fleet maintenance programs lower the cost of repairs because regular maintenance and monitoring may identify a problem that can be fixed at less cost than if there was a complete breakdown of the system. A well-run program can also reduce operational costs (because vehicles that operate at top efficiency use less fuel and retain their value longer if they are sold) and create better outcomes in government testing and inspections (i.e., a properly maintained fleet reduces the need for costly and time-consuming corrective actions that are mandated by regulatory bodies).