industry articles

Leasing provides fleets with scalable capacity and fixed monthly payments, freeing up capital and increasing flexibility. Both short- and long-term leases allow companies to align their fleet size to business demands so they can adapt quickly to market shifts and maintain consistent service, enabling them to future proof their supply chain.

[Read more...]Show less

Maintaining proper wheel alignment has a direct effect on safety, fuel efficiency and performance. Alignments require fine-tuning the suspension system that connects the truck to its wheels to ensure that all tires meet the road at the correct angle.

[Read more...]Show less

Whether it is a spike in demand, a need to move up shipments or a sudden opportunity, fleets that need additional capacity want to add equipment quickly. Having flexibility is becoming even more important amid increases in geopolitical and trade-related uncertainty, shifting consumer demands and supply chain disruptions.

Penske has equipment on the ground and ready to go, along with several programs designed to help carriers access the equipment they need when they need it.


Full-Service Leases

Leasing is one of the most effective ways to increase operational flexibility. Our full-service leasing programs, which include both long- and short-term options, allow businesses to scale up or down without the long-term commitment of ownership. Leasing also provides cost predictability with fixed monthly payments. Additionally, maintenance is included, further simplifying budgeting. Fleets that lease typically have shorter trade cycles than those that own equipment, according to the National Private Truck Council’s Benchmarking Survey, giving them access to newer, more fuel-efficient models with the latest safety technologies.

Sell2Lease

Fleets that are ready to transition from owned trucks to fully maintained, late-model equipment via a leasing model can use our Sell2Lease program. As part of the program, Penske buys the fleet’s current trucks, regardless of age or condition, and replaces them with a full-service leasing model. The straightforward program provides a simple, seamless process for fleets to upgrade their equipment without the hassle of managing resale or vehicle depreciation.

Rental Trucks

Rental trucks are an ideal solution for fleets that want maximum short-term flexibility. Similar to leasing, renting eliminates the need for the upfront investment and long-term financial obligations associated with ownership. Rentals can also offer shorter terms than leases. Fleets benefit from being able to rent trucks only when needed, without worrying about storage during downtime, licensing, insurance or maintenance. We have more than 100,000 commercial rental vehicles available, including high-roof cargo vans, straight trucks with liftgates and Class 8 tractors.

Used Trucks

For businesses that prefer to build their fleet through ownership, we offer a selection of pre-owned equipment for sale. Most units have been owned by us and come with well-documented maintenance histories. We offer transparent pricing, detailed condition reports and flexible purchasing options, including online vehicle auctions. Buying used trucks can offer significant financial advantages, such as lower monthly costs and the ability to build equity in the asset. Ownership also provides full operational control with no mileage restrictions, the freedom to set the maintenance schedule, and the opportunity to take advantage of tax benefits such as depreciation and interest deductions.

Lease and Rental Trailers

In addition to trucks, we also offer full-service rental and leasing of trailers, including 48 and 53 foot dry vans and 53 foot refrigerated trailers and flatbeds. Trailers can help fleets expand capacity quickly, support drop-and-hook operations to minimize driver downtime, and facilitate cross-docking to streamline cargo transfers. Rented or leased trailers offer a scalable, cost-efficient alternative to investing in more trucks or warehouse space so fleets can meet changing transportation and storage needs without long-term commitments. All leases and rentals include trailer maintenance and roadside support.

Work With Us

To learn more about how our different business lines can offer stability even when instability abounds, contact us today.

Professional drivers, get ready to share the road. Over 82% of Americans expect to travel this summer, according to a 2024 travel survey from The Vacationer. And 87 million people plan to take a road trip of 250 miles or more.

[Read more...]Show less

The summer months bring warm temperatures, and certain maintenance items can benefit from extra attention and regular checkups to prevent costly fixes down the line. Proper maintenance is crucial throughout the year, but carriers and their maintenance providers should pay special attention to specific items at the peak of summer.

[Read more...]Show less

Equipment acquisition strategies can vary and depend on factors such as equipment lifecycle, current fleet performance, capacity requirements and financing options. Several outside factors, such as new releases of equipment technology, interest rates and regulatory requirements, can also influence when carriers add new equipment to their fleet. Fleets often use a mix of acquisition strategies when adding equipment.

[Read more...]Show less

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 2025 International Roadcheck event is scheduled for May 13-15, and this year, inspectors plan to focus on tires and false record of duty status (RODS). Each year, CVSA places a special emphasis on one driver violation category and one vehicle violation category. During the 72-hour safety blitz, law enforcement will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection on commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, temporary sites and mobile patrols.

[Read more...]Show less

Maximizing space within a warehouse and strategically positioning items can lead to significant financial and time savings. The layout and design of a warehouse and a distribution network should be an ongoing process. Shippers can improve their food warehousing and distribution with these six strategies:

[Read more...]Show less

Shifting global economic policies, tariffs, inflation and labor challenges have created a rapidly changing landscape that is impacting fleets’ decision-making. Arriving at the right decisions requires good data, and finance leaders are often tasked with providing critical information on budgeting, forecasting and margins.

[Read more...]Show less

Expanding into a new market, lane or delivery model is a significant investment, but using commercial rental trucks can offer a low-risk, cost-effective way to gauge demand before committing to longer-term assets, reducing financial risk.

Taking Advantage of Market Trends

One of the top benefits of rental trucks is their flexibility, which allows businesses to scale up or down quickly based on market demand or changes to their operations. If a market performs well, companies can extend rentals or transition to leasing or ownership. If demand is lower than expected, they can scale down or exit without significant financial losses or a long-term commitment.

Finding the Best Match

Matching the right vehicle type to the operational needs helps optimize efficiency and control costs. Rentals can also allow companies to test different types and sizes of equipment to determine what works best.

Penske offers a diverse fleet of rental trucks that can be matched to different operational needs, including:

  • Cargo Vans: Cargo vans, also known as sprinter vans, are often ideal for last-mile deliveries, rapid replenishment of high-moving items and small parcel services, and urban logistics. They are also a perfect solution for service-based businesses, such as electricians and plumbers, that are expanding operations.
  • Electric Cargo Vans: Companies looking to test electric vehicles or add sustainable options to their fleet can rent electric high-roof cargo vans that have an estimated range of 100+ miles. They have 450 cubic feet of loading space and up to 3,300 lb. payload.
  • Light and Medium-Duty Box Trucks: Box trucks, also called straight trucks, are available in 12 to 26 foot sizes. These can be useful for companies testing new store locations, expanding service areas or evaluating customer demand in new markets. Many box trucks do not require drivers to have a commercial driver’s license, which can help companies expand their driver pool.
  • Refrigerated Trucks: Penske Truck Rental offers 16 foot cabover refrigerated trucks and 18 to 26 foot refrigerated trucks with CDL and non-CDL options. CDL-required trucks have up to a 15,000 lb. payload capacity, while non-CDL trucks have up to an 8,000 lb. payload.
  • Flatbed Trucks: Commercial rental flatbed trucks are perfect for transporting a wide range of medium-duty cargo. Options include 24 to 26 foot non-CDL flatbed trucks with up to 20,000 lb. payload capacity and 24 to 26 foot CDL-required flatbed trucks with up to 18,000 lb. payload capacity.
  • Class 8 Tractors: Penske has heavy-duty Class 8 sleeper and day cab tractors for companies hauling larger payloads.

Tapping Into Trailers

Trailers provide flexible solutions for companies looking to scale up or down or test new strategies, such as trailer pools for drop-and-hook operations or cross-docking. Trailers can also serve as short-term storage, allowing companies to gauge demand before investing in warehouse space. Options include 48 and 53 foot dry van trailers, 40 to 53 foot flatbed trailers and 53 foot refrigerated trailers.

All commercial rentals, including trailers, include maintenance and roadside support. To learn more about leveraging short-term rental solutions to expand operations while minimizing risk, contact us at 844-906-3404.

The scope of reverse logistics — moving products from the end-user back to the point of origin — can be broad, encompassing everything from moving reusable containers back to a manufacturing facility to bringing back retail returns to a distribution center. Reverse logistics can present a vast range of challenges, but Penske has extensive experience transporting products where they are needed.

[Read more...]Show less
Maintaining compliance under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program is a critical component in fleets’ ability to operate safely, secure contracts, manage insurance costs and meet customer commitments. A poor CSA score can lead to increased scrutiny from regulators, a diminished reputation and difficulty attracting drivers. Fortunately, there are several actionable strategies fleets can embrace to improve and maintain CSA scores.
[Read more...]Show less

The driver shortage remains a top industry concern. Comfort and convenience features on late-model equipment can help improve drivers’ experience on the road, which can boost recruitment and retention efforts.

[Read more...]Show less

The use of in-cab safety technologies is becoming increasingly common among fleets, driving significant safety improvements. Private fleets are among those that aggressively manage safety, and safety technologies are providing private fleets with unheard-of levels of visibility, tracking and analytics, according to the National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC) 2024 Benchmarking Report.

[Read more...]Show less

Utilizing high-quality engine oil along with the correct engine oil grade and weight is critical to maximize equipment performance, reduce downtime and improve profitability.

[Read more...]Show less

Brake safety is crucial for safe operations, and regular inspections by qualified service technicians, and proper pre- and post-trip inspections by drivers, can ensure brakes perform as expected.

[Read more...]Show less

Fuel is a major expense for fleets, and improving fuel economy can result in significant savings while potentially increasing a vehicle's lifespan. Fortunately, there are several ways fleets can improve fuel economy.

[Read more...]Show less

Inflation, increased equipment purchase prices, and rising maintenance and labor expenses are driving operational costs within the trucking industry higher, putting pressure on fleets’ profitability and making it even more important to control costs.

[Read more...]Show less