Designated Snowbelt Area & Policy Benchmark
automotive fleet & leasing association white paper series ∙ volume 31
Designated Snowbelt Area & Policy Benchmark AFLA Corporate Buyers Listserv | Susan Miller, CAFS, McDonald’s Corporation Benchmark = 28% response rate
53% have no snowbelt definition and/or a snowbelt policy
Of these most all have exception provisions or allow 4WD/AWD vehicle selections
47% do have a snowbelt definition and/or a snowbelt policy
Of these all specify an average annual snowfall amount or use a “snowbelt tool” provided by their FM company
21% specificall y mention Subaru vehicle s. Of these 57% have no sn owbelt policy and 43% do.
9% of total re spondents do not allow S UVs.
Summary Contents
A fleet without a snowbelt policy stated their justification is that their sales person can plan for snow days to catch up on paperwork rather than driving in bad weather. One fleets biggest concern is mitigating risk (by offering AWD and snow tires). If something happens and driver previously requested AWD/RWD or snow tires there could be issues. One comment on availability issues of the frequently mentioned Subarus.
One respondent specifically tracked their winter accidents and found that very few were weather related.
A fleet with a specific off road requirement for 4WD/AWD vehicles points out that not everyone in a snowbelt area drives an SUV.
Another fleet noted that on days where travel is unavoidable in certain mountain pass areas that require AWD or chains a suitable vehicle is rented for a few days versus the incremental cost of an SUV.
Snowbelt Policy Survey Detail Do you have a specific snow belt definition and/or policy? N
Snow belt definition and/or policy definition
4WD/AWD vehicles available for $400$1000 personal upfront one time expense per vehicle selected. Currently use Escape 4WD, Fusion & Taurus AWD. Drivers also pay higher personal use charge (as compared to standar FWD vehicles) in addition to one time upfront personal expense. 4x4 provided on exception basis or by position Drivers requesting AWD and 4WD purchase own personal vehicle and go on Runzheimer. AWD or 4WD is treated as exception to policy. Business/safety justification is required to obtain exception approval.
N N N
N N N
N N
No specified snowbelt policy. Snow belt area is NOT designated.
N N
N N
4WD/AWD policy
(WAS) annual average snowfall of 52 inches plus zip code determines eligibility.
If no specific policy, which areas most commonly fall into “exception� approvals?
Colorado and upper New England Very rare; Sales fleet with 2WD/ FWD only policy Regularly approve requests for Rocky Mountain states, northern Michigan and some Northeast states.
4x4 provided on exception basis AWD Sedan is offered on selector. No SUVs. 4WD vehicles for position that requires getting to/from production facilities. Occasionally approve snow tires, but is discouraged (due to storage and then reassignment issues). Limit exceptions to territories with a lot of CO, WY, ID snowfall. Must justify need for approval. Choose any vehicle that meets their work/ life needs. Additional approval of Management. No SUVs allowed. NOTE: This respondent just changed their policy to having drivers requesting AWD or 4WD purchase own peersonal vehicle and go on reimbursement system similar to Runzheimer. Offer Subarus on all their selector levels. Since all Subarus are AWD everyone is eligible to order; no need to distinguish. The Subaru Legacy, Outback and Ford Edge AWD offered to any field employee eligible to order.
Do you have a specific snow belt definition and/or policy? N
N
N N N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Snow belt definition and/or policy definition Aware of snowbelt tool available via FM
4WD/AWD policy
Canada gets AWD plus snow tires in required areas.
There are no “snowbelt” Drivers can select from Chevrolet Equinox vehicles any longer. Snow AWD or Subaru Forester AWD. tires allowed only if vehicle is in designated snow belt areas as defined by FM. Subaru Forester offered to all drivers. Must need to drive off normal paved roads (rural country roads) or construction sites. Employees must request and justify need. The Jeep Liberty goes to those whose request is approved. By zip code where average snowfall is 30 inches or more; tool provided by FM company. Certain states are considered snowbelt regardless of zip code. States that may be on the fence use zip code tool. Average annual snowfall above 50 inches for any state. Specifically AK, CO (due to Denver), CT, ME, MA, MN, MT, NH, NY (upstate only), PA (western PA only), RI, UT, VT, WV, WY. Average annual snowfall and altitude determining factors Average annual snowfall of 40 inches per year and driver must spend 50% of time in wsnow belot to qualify.
If no specific policy, which areas most commonly fall into “exception” approvals? Vehicles must be 4cyl Sedans and current mfr vehicles selection does not provide AWD in that category. Also have tracked winter accidents and very few are weather related.
Only few drivers in Canada and northern parts of US. Please not that 97% of our sales drivers have gotten by just fine with FWD minivans for many years.
In addition to formal policy, Subaru is on all selectors so driver can choose AWD regardless of location.
All construction pickups are 4WD. Compact SUV 4WD for sales staff. Order must have explanation of need and requires additional approval of Management. Use Subaru Forester AWD as one of snowbelt vehicles.
Note: Delivery issue during January order cycle at end of model year taking 14-16 weeks to get Subarus and then they may not match what was ordered. Had to cancel and then reorder some units. Then again had early availability issues with July cycle. Considering adding Ford Escape 4WD or Dodge Journey AWD instead of Forester.
Do you have a specific snow belt definition and/or policy? Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Snow belt definition and/or policy definition
4WD/AWD policy
Policy states that drivers who reside in northern climates are eligible for AWD or 4WD vehicle. AWD or 4WD provided only if off road business use is required.
Any state with average snowfall of 36 inches or more. Also allow snow tires for vehicles in “mountainous” locations such as the Rockies. By zip code and drivers territory; tool provided by FM company. Liberal policy if at least 20% of territory falls in defined snowbelt areas. Snowbelt areas created based on historical snowfall. Average annual snowfall of 45 inches. Also allow snow tires. One state defineds the snowbelt: Alaska. Snow tires are allowed upon request. Snow tires are allowed for Sedan vehicles in defined snowbelt area via FM tool. Average annual snowfall of 50 plus inches via snow tool provided by FM. States north of Mason/ Dixon line and drivers in Pacific Northwest. CO, CA, WA, MT, AK, UT, ID, WY
Average annual snowfall of 50 plus inches or mountainous territory.
Offer Subaru Legacy and Outback to mitigate risk.
If no specific policy, which areas most commonly fall into “exception” approvals?
For all other drivers response is saying does everyone in a snowbelt area drive SUVs? Of course not. NOTE: This respondent lives in a clearly defined snowbelt area. The biggest concern is mitigating risk. If something happens and driver previously requested AWD/ RWD or snow tires there could be issues.
There are no exceptions. Even FWD vehicles in mountain areas that require tire chains do fine. 4WD trucks allowed for specific positions across the country. AWD vehicles only.
4WD/AWD requires operations VP approval. No SUV alternatives. Only one choice of vehicle indentically equipped regardless of location. Only 4WD vehicle choice is Ford Escape.
Do you have a specific snow belt definition and/or policy?
Snow belt definition and/or policy definition
Y
Average annual snowfall of 40 inches per year as determined by FM company snow tool.
34 18 16
28% 53% 47%
4WD/AWD policy
Total respondents of possible 120 No Snowbelt definition and no policy Yes, Snowbelt defined areas and policy
If no specific policy, which areas most commonly fall into “exception� approvals?