Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Operations update

We are doing all we can on behalf of our clients to monitor and manage the rapidly evolving COVID-19 related impacts to the services and suppliers we all rely on. Our goal is to minimize these impacts, but we recognize that with many events out of our control some disruption may be unavoidable. We will remain in close touch with our partners, suppliers and government agencies, as well as with clients, and we will provide updates as we have them.

Please find updates from our Operations teams and third-party supplier partners. We will update this at least once per week and as we receive information.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

This site is provided for informational purposes only. Element does not represent or warrant that the information on this site is free from errors or omission. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. The information is made available on the understanding that Element, its employees, officers, directors and agents shall have no liability (including liability by reason of negligence) to the users for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information.

Acquisition / OEMs

Manufacturing

Manufacturing OEMs are experiencing parts shortages due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Element has been monitoring the situation, product and parts shortages. As of March 23, we can report the following:

Ford announced the decision to idle the following F-150 plants:
- Kansas City (F-150) the week of April 5
- Dearborn (F-150) the weeks of April 5 and April 12
In addition, Ford will build F-150 trucks and Edge SUVs in North America without certain parts, including some electronic modules that contain scarce semiconductors. Ford will build and hold the vehicles for a number of weeks, then ship the vehicles to dealers once the modules are available and comprehensive quality checks are complete. Element is waiting for Ford to provide more detailed information on client impact.
Our GM representative shared GM’s decision to idle the following plants:
- Wentzville (Colorado and Canyon) will take two weeks downtime the weeks of March 29th and April 5th.
- Lansing Grand River (Cadillac CT4) has been idle since March 15^th and will continue through the week of April 12th.
- The San Luis Potosi (Mexico): Equinox & Terrain plant, which has been closed since February 8th, will reopen with two shifts the week of April 5th.
As previously announced, the following GM plants will continue to be idle through mid-April when they will be reassessed:
- Fairfax (Kansas): Malibu & XT4
- CAMI (Ingersoll, Ontario): Equinox - GM is actively working to shift Equinox fleet orders to the open plant in Mexico for production.
- Bupyeong 2 assembly plant in Korea (TraxAWD and Encore) will continue to operate at half capacity.

Tesla - North America production schedule remains on track.
All other OEMs currently report no impact to production and continue to monitor the microchip shortage.
We are continuing to monitor other manufacturing OEMs order acceptance status for the 2021 Model Year production.

Clients should continue to visit OEM websites for the most up-to-date information.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Collision Management

All major supplier MSOs remain open*. We are aware that a very limited number of collision and repair shops have temporarily closed across the U.S. and Canada but where there are reports of these temporary closures, we understand there are alternate shops in those markets.

Please call ahead to make sure shops are open before you arrive for service to ensure availability and minimize downtime. Body shops are enacting social distancing policies, as well as limited-to-no contact service and enhanced sanitizing practices. Shops are receiving parts that were under backorder delay due to COVID-19, and parts availability continues to increase.

*This includes Boyd/Gerber, Carstar, Maaco, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, Simplicity (Canada), Abra/Caliber

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Fuel

Element is not seeing any disruption with customers being able to purchase fuel. The Element fuel card works at most pay-at-pump locations, including all major fueling stations.

WEX is sending Element a Storm Report twice daily. The Storm Report is a listing of fuel stations in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee showing recent transactions to help aid customers in search of fuel.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Glass

U.S.

U.S.: All locations currently remain open. Services fall into the automotive repair category and are considered essential to many as a part of critical day-to-day business. Service providers have implemented policies to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees by discouraging handshakes and encouraging social distancing and a no-contact experience with key drop off. Additional cleaning and sanitizing measures have been adopted across all service centres and these same measures are being applied externally and internally to any vehicles serviced.

Canada

Effective April 27: Belron Canada will be re-opening shops within ON & PQ with regular hours of operation. It is recommended that Element drivers in need of glass repair or replacement call the number on the back of their Element service card and follow the IVR prompts for "Glass" to confirm shop availability and book an appointment.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Maintenance

We have been in contact with our dealer and independent contracted shop network in Canada and U.S. and from responses so far, less than 1% of shops are either closed or experiencing significant downtime.

Our Strategic National Account network companies have enacted additional rules for employees regarding distancing from clients and colleagues as well as additional store cleaning and sanitization policies. Drivers should call ahead to confirm store hours as many shops are reducing early morning and/or evening hours.
Mobile maintenance partners are not reporting any known service impacts.
It is advised that drivers call ahead for shop status and operating procedures before arriving.
Firestone corporate stores, Goodyear and Monro are now offering curbside drop-off and pick up of vehicles.

Canada

Kal Tire announced sales and services offerings for commercial light fleet will continue as their stores across Canada have moved to provide support for 'essential services' only. HOWEVER, services for fleet customers will be accepted BY APPOINTMENT ONLY effective immediately. Appointments can be booked by calling the local Kal Tire location, 855 530 8473 or at LDFC@kaltire.com. Customers will not be allowed to enter or wait in the stores for vehicle services to be completed. Customers will be notified by phone, text, or email when work is completed. Kal Tire has also modified their store hours to 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Remarketing

All U.S. and Canadian auctions are running at or near 90% capacity with a combination of in-lane and online bidding.

Pick-ups and drop-offs are at or near 90% capacity.

Remarketing is continuing to clear any aged inventory in selected locations.

COVID-19 LOGISTICS INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLEET DRIVERS

In keeping with local, state and federal guidance on social distancing in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Element and its transport providers are asking our fleet drivers to take the following precautions:

If you have any symptoms of illness, reschedule your pick up for a future date after health concerns subside
If you have NO symptoms of illness, place your keys in an envelope, tuck the envelope in the driver's side visor, and leave car doors unlocked for the transport agent
Double-check and triple-check that all personal belongings have been removed from the vehicle, including the center console, glove box, trunk, and beneath the seats

Thank you for your cooperation with these COVID-19 precautions. By working together, we can keep all members of our fleet community safe.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Rental

In many markets, rental providers have been deemed an essential service. Despite some temporary reductions in locations, they are continuing to consolidate locations and are working hard to meet business partner needs.

Rental providers have enhanced their cleaning methods at their locations and for their vehicles using approved disinfectant to regularly wipe down high-touch areas such as door handles, steering wheel, dashboard, console, seats, counters, kiosks and other hard surfaces.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Roadside

There are no service delays at this time due to COVID. Call center employees are working remotely and in corporate offices as well where CDC recommended measures are being taken to ensure employee safety. As part of their protocols, Tow Providers have heightened their cleaning and disinfecting procedures to maintain a healthy environment and are not allowing drivers to ride in their trucks to their destination. It is highly recommended that customers develop and communicate a plan for their fleet drivers to secure transportation from a breakdown location.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Safety

The following 50 states, 4 territories, 10 provinces and 3 territories have provided updated information related to driver licensing. Disclaimer: All information provided is deemed reliable, but it is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

See the full list

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Telematics

The telematics installation network is operating normally and Element is monitoring continuously as conditions may change:

Professional installers are scheduling new installations and completing orders;
Dealerships and upfitters are operating as normal; and
Self-Install continues to be an option.

The availability of telematics devices may be impacted by the global microchip shortage depending on device manufacturers' ability to meet production schedules. Delivery delays are expected.

Submit questions to telematicssupport.fleet@elementcorp.com

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Title and Registration

Title and Registration impacts differ by state and province.

Some motor vehicle authorities (DMV's) and state/provincial run facilities supporting Title and Registration are closing or operating under limited capacity.

Element is working closely with our vendor partners to continue leveraging online capabilities, in jurisdictions where those capabilities are available. Many states and provinces are extending deadlines for registration renewals, temporary tags, insurance verifications, and other requirements. We have consolidated the current status of DMVs, as well as waivers & extensions granted (as they become known to us). In the U.S. Element is partnering with the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) that is regularly engaged with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to ensure fleet vehicles can be titled, registered, & plated during this time. Discussions are ongoing.

In Canada Element has been partnering with the CFLA to ensure fleet vehicles can be registered & plated during this time. Discussions are ongoing.

In the U.S., Element is partnering with the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) that is regularly engaged with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to ensure fleet vehicles can be titled, registered, & plated during this time. Discussions are ongoing.

In Canada, Element has been partnering with the CFLA to ensure fleet vehicles can be registered & plated during this time. Discussions are ongoing.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Tolls and Violations

The New York State Thruway completed their conversion to cashless tolling, effective November 14 – more than a month ahead of schedule. This 570-mile superhighway system includes 426 miles from New York City to Buffalo (I-87, I-90) as well as the New England Thruway (I-95).

The Port Authority New York New Jersey (PANYNJ) announced the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel, connecting New York and New Jersey, will again resume cash toll collection. In March, the toll authority suspended cash toll collection at both locations, along with the Holland Tunnel, in response to the pandemic. The Holland Tunnel, however, will remain cashless.

Verra Mobility continues to process video tolls received from MDTA for trips made between March 17 and June 30, 2020; video toll transactions dated after June 30th have not yet been received. However, we continue to work closely with MDTA to ensure all tolls will be received and processed as quickly as possible.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Transportation

The majority of state and provincial transportation suppliers remain open with many business functions conducted remotely. Most are reporting no delays to date in their ability to dispatch and service transport and storage orders. Drivers are taking extra precautions by wiping high touch surface areas in all vehicles. There is some disruption in certain regions where DMVs are not open. A list of DMV impacts can be found under the Title & Registration section.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Vehicle Upfitting

Upfitters are experiencing issues related to the OEM cancellations. Suppliers have parts and components in stock and manufacturing for cancelled orders. We are working closely with upfitters, OEMs and internal stakeholders on identifying impacted clients.

Last updated: April 14. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Client communications

Find the latest electronic communications to clients below. As we have more information, this list will be updated.

Apr 1, 2021

Email: OEM microchip shortage updates

Mar 24, 2021

Email: OEM microchip shortage: Update from Ford and NEW Element resource to keep you informed

Feb 23, 2021

Email: OEM microchip shortage: GM assembly plant impacts

Featured resources

We have remained agile throughout the pandemic by continuing to enhance our offerings and creating new tools to help you navigate this unprecedented time. Check out the featured resources below.

Idle asset management feature in Xcelerate

Supplier Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocol

Video: Fleet vehicle resale performance amidst COVID-19

Video Blog: COVID-19 and The Resale Market: Video Interview with Element Experts

Client resources

We are here to help. If you are new to fleet management, or a seasoned veteran, we want to support you in navigating these challenging times. Find new tools and resources to help you stay current.

Featured video

Managing Your Fleet in Changing Times

Watch a high-level summary of the things you need to know if you are new to fleet management.

Public health and safety online resources

World Health Organization

Never miss an update

Subscribe to Element Fleet news and thought leadership today.

Have a question?

We're here to help. Whether you're a fleet manager, driver or supplier, our fleet management experts have the answers. Connect with us today.

(800) 665-9744

GET IN TOUCH