Most leasing companies and their fleet customers have already tried basic forms of telematics for insurance purposes. Often, they were left unimpressed or disappointed. Why? Because they were only using the simplest telematics, focused on GPS tracking for insurance compliance.
Today, leasing companies have access to a full range of telematics capabilities, each offering new insights and operational control. From basic compliance to advanced fleet management, this overview examines the main types of connectivity enabled by retrofit hardware and OEM API integrations. By understanding these levels, leasing companies can turn vehicle data into a powerful strategic advantage for themselves and their customers.
Breaking down connectivity levels for fleet management
As leasing companies look to move beyond minimal compliance and simple tracking, telematics technology provides multiple levels of connectivity, each with unique features and benefits. This breakdown of connectivity types—weak, moderate, and strong—shows how each level supports fleet management in different ways. From basic GPS tracking to a fully integrated telematics ecosystem, leasing companies and fleet customers can evaluate how deeper connectivity affects operational efficiency and strategic planning.
Weak connectivity: basic GPS and mileage monitoring
At the most basic level, connectivity is limited to simple GPS and mileage tracking, often implemented to meet insurance requirements or for theft prevention. Typically achieved with basic OBD2 devices that offer minimal integration with vehicle systems, this connectivity level provides only the essentials.
Enabled features of weak connectivity:
• Real-time location tracking for basic visibility.
• Compliance reporting for insurance requirements.
• Mileage logging for usage tracking.
This level fulfills basic insurance mandates but offers limited operational insight. To leverage telematics for efficiency and strategic fleet management, leasing companies need connectivity that goes beyond location tracking.
Moderate connectivity: advanced data via enhanced telematics integration
The next level, Moderate Connectivity, offers a broader perspective on fleet activity. It is enabled by more advanced OBD2 CAN bus devices or OEM APIs that access additional vehicle data. At this level, leasing companies start to gain valuable operational insights. Moderate Connectivity also supports a more proactive approach to fleet management.
Enabled features of moderate connectivity:
• Engine diagnostics with alerts for maintenance planning.
• Driver behavior tracking, including speed and braking data.
• Remote vehicle health checks to preempt basic issues.
Moderate connectivity gives leasing companies an intermediate view of vehicle health, driver behavior, and fuel efficiency, offering a solid foundation for optimizing fleet performance. These insights pave the way for more informed, strategic fleet management.
Strong connectivity: integrated telematics for a Connected ecosystem
At the highest level, Strong Connectivity uses advanced OBD2 CAN bus devices or OEM APIs to create a secure, data-rich connection within a seamless ecosystem. This level connects leasing companies, fleet customers, and drivers, offering high-quality data across all vehicle brands and models.
Enabled features of strong connectivity:
• Real-time diagnostics for comprehensive vehicle health monitoring, including engine, battery, and tire status.
• Predictive maintenance scheduling based on vehicle usage patterns.
• Detailed fuel and emissions tracking for streamlined ESG and insurance compliance.
• Integration with fleet management platforms for cohesive operations and data sharing.
With strong connectivity, fleet management becomes truly proactive. Advanced insights, predictive maintenance, and an interconnected platform help leasing companies improve operational efficiency, enhance compliance, and strengthen data security. This level of connectivity turns data into a strategic advantage, creating a dynamic, data-driven fleet ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of fleet and leasing companies.
As telematics technology advances, leasing companies can scale their connectivity from basic tracking to advanced ecosystems that unlock deeper insights and support proactive management. Each level provides new ways to maximize fleet value and efficiency, aligning with both operational and strategic goals.
Beyond connectivity: software-defined vehicles (SDVs)
On a broader continuum of digitalized car services, beyond fleet or vehicle connectivity, lies the concept of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Unlike traditional telematics, SDVs are not about connecting cars but about creating vehicles designed with software as the central feature. These vehicles are designed with software integrations at every level, introducing features like self-driving capabilities, AI-driven virtual assistants, and automated functions like assisted parking.
While SDVs are not directly focused on connectivity, they represent a different approach altogether—vehicles built with new types of software experiences at the forefront. These vehicles are then less about being devices to be connected and more about being adaptable platforms, continuously shaped by software enhancements.
Connected Cars solutions for leasing companies and their fleet customers
Connected Cars offers powerful telematics solutions, ConnectedFleet and ConnectedLeasing. These solutions provide leasing companies and fleet customers with strong connectivity for actionable insights and advanced control. They address key challenges in fleet management, creating a more efficient, data-driven leasing experience. ConnectedLeasing adds value for leasing companies. ConnectedFleet equips fleet customers with tools that strengthen the leasing company’s full-service offerings.
ConnectedLeasing: Enhanced value for leasing companies
ConnectedLeasing provides leasing companies with advanced telematics insights, helping them go beyond basic compliance to achieve proactive fleet management. With access to OEM API data and Connected Cars’ CC-Link retrofit hardware, they can gather detailed information on vehicle health, driver behavior, and maintenance needs. This data integrates seamlessly into their platforms. As a result, leasing companies can enable predictive maintenance, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency. These capabilities help attract and retain customers looking for modern, reliable fleet management.
ConnectedLeasing also empowers leasing companies with greater visibility into their fleets, supporting better decision-making and cost control. By harnessing data on fuel efficiency, emissions, and vehicle usage, companies can optimize fleet expenses while meeting ESG standards, which are increasingly essential for regulatory compliance. These capabilities make ConnectedLeasing an invaluable asset for leasing companies aiming to stand out with a data-rich, environmentally conscious approach to fleet management.
ConnectedFleet: Empowering fleet customers with telemetrics-driven insights
ConnectedFleet provides fleet customers with a comprehensive suite of telematics tools for smarter, more proactive vehicle management. With features like real-time diagnostics, driver behavior monitoring, and fuel efficiency tracking, fleet customers gain actionable insights that help increase uptime and decrease operational costs. By offering these robust capabilities, leasing companies deliver a full-service leasing agreement that goes beyond just vehicles, providing a seamless, data-enabled management experience.
The benefits of ConnectedFleet for fleet customers also enhance the quality and efficiency of leasing company offerings. As fleet customers gain better control over their vehicle operations, they also build confidence in their leasing provider’s ability to support their needs. This symbiotic relationship positions leasing companies as forward-thinking partners invested in customer success, strengthening loyalty and supporting long-term partnerships grounded in the value of telematics-driven fleet management.
Boosting connectivity for future-ready fleet management
As leasing companies embrace a full spectrum of connectivity, from basic GPS tracking to advanced telematics integration, they gain strategic tools that go beyond compliance. These tools help redefine fleet operations. Each connectivity level, whether foundational tracking, operational awareness, or strategic intelligence, offers unique benefits and insights. This allows companies to design their fleet management approach to meet both operational needs and customer expectations. This flexibility pushes leasing companies toward a proactive, data-driven model that boosts efficiency and strategic value.
With solutions like ConnectedLeasing and ConnectedFleet, leasing companies can elevate their offerings. They align with the needs of today’s data-centric fleet market while empowering fleet customers with advanced operational control. By leveraging stronger connectivity than possible before, forward-thinking leasing companies can position themselves as essential partners in their customers’ success. This approach sets up a foundation for leasing companies and fleet management to become more efficient, strategic, and responsive to change.
