According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in North America was 2.1 million in Q4-2010. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6 percent, this number is expected to reach 3.8 million by 2015.

In Latin America, the number of installed fleet management systems is expected to increase from 0.9 million in Q4-2010, growing at a CAGR of 20.6 percent to reach 2.3 million in 2015. Fleet management vendors such as Qualcomm (News - Alert), XATA and PeopleNet remain largely focused on the high-end trucking segment. Non-trucking segments such as delivery, utility and service are addressed by another group of vendors including FleetMatics, Networkfleet and Wireless Matrix. The high-end vendors tend to offer customized solutions via a consultative sales process, whereas others adopt indirect sales models based on distributors, solution sellers and integrators, and offer more standardized solutions.

The report cites customer awareness of the benefits of telematics as the main driver behind growth. Rickard Andersson, Telecom Analyst, Berg Insight, said, “Today managers in North America generally know that fleet management technology can help their businesses reduce costs and improve efficiency. However in Latin America an educational process may be needed in order to increase the awareness among prospective users about the benefits that fleet management solutions bring over and above mere security related features.”

New regulations related to road transport activities also have a major impact on the market environment. The recently implemented CSA safety scoring system in the US to identify high-risk motor carriers requiring interventions is one example. The hours-of-service regulations are further being revised and a mandate to use electronic on-board recorders to log working hours for truckers is likely to come in place starting in 2012 for new vehicles. Eventually it will include all commercial vehicles.