HOOKSETT, N.H. — Merchants Fleet is announcing an expanded strategic partnership with Cox Fleet that advances how fleet maintenance, roadside and service support are delivered to their clients at scale.
“As a mission-critical partner to our client’s success, delivering a consistent, seamless service experience requires strong partnerships with organizations that can operate at scale,” said Jeff Nieman, senior vice president, COO at Merchants Fleet. “Our relationship with Cox Fleet gives us access to a unified service model that simplifies maintenance and roadside coordination, reduces complexity and helps fleet managers spend less time managing service logistics and more time running their business, all while keeping vehicles on the road.”
Long-Standing Partnership
The agreement formalizes a long-standing relationship between the two companies. Merchants Fleet is the first fleet management company to execute a strategic agreement under the newly formed Cox Fleet, Cox Automotive’s unified organization combining Fleet Services and FleetNet America.
“The continued partnership is the result of a 15-month collaboration and implementation combining the capabilities of each business, modernizing service delivery through integrated technology, national coverage through 65K+ service providers and 1,500+ Cox Fleet technicians, 24/7/365 support and a unified operating model for Merchants’ clients,” Merchants Fleet said.
Expanded Service Offerings
“Merchants Fleet evolves to meet client needs, collaborating across its network to broaden and scale up its array of services and solutions which directly support client success,” the company said. “This expanded relationship reflects that continued focus on adaptability, evolution and service.”
According to a company press release, through Cox Fleet, Merchants Fleet clients gain access to a single, coordinated service ecosystem that supports scheduled maintenance, emergency roadside assistance, and on-demand service nationwide. The Cox Fleet model combines direct service technicians, mobile maintenance capabilities, and a broad third-party service network to deliver a more consistent, predictable service experience across geographies, asset types, and operating environments.
Moving America Forward
The relationship supports multiple Merchants Fleet portfolios, including long-term fleet operations, FleetShare, and short-term and on-demand use cases, giving clients the flexibility to scale service support up or down as fleet needs change all through one integrated view. Cox Automotive’s national footprint also provides additional operational support through facilities and service locations across the United States, helping ensure reliable coverage regardless of where vehicles are deployed. Through this unified model, Merchants views itself as a community alongside its clients and partners, working as one team to help move America forward, according to the release.
“At Cox Fleet, everything we do is focused on keeping fleets moving, and our partnership with Merchants Fleet directly supports that mission,” said Kyle Ballinger, vice president of sales for Cox Fleet. “We built Cox Fleet with our customers at the center, to serve them with a comprehensive set of solutions for their fleets. That’s what we’re doing with the team at Merchants. When we bring together our marketplace, our technicians and our nationwide support team, our partners win—and so do their customers.”
Strategic Sourcing Initiatives
The expanded relationship also plays a key role in Merchants Fleet’s strategic sourcing initiatives, which are designed to consolidate service delivery, improve program alignment and create a more seamless experience for clients by reducing vendor complexity.
“Our clients expect us to be thoughtful and intentional about the partners we work with,” Nieman said. “This relationship reflects our commitment to building a strong service ecosystem that delivers flexibility, reliability, and measurable operational value our clients across the full vehicle lifecycle.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
