Car rental telematics is becoming a critical part of connected fleet management, helping operators improve fleet utilization, automate manual processes, protect vehicles, and create a better customer experience.

Mark Novak, Chief Revenue Officer at Zubie, joins The Mobility Perspective to discuss how connected vehicle data is transforming car rental operations. He explains why modern telematics goes far beyond GPS tracking and how real time data around mileage, fuel levels, vehicle condition, impacts, towing, and recovery can help rental operators make faster, more informed decisions. Mark also explores the future of connected fleets, including OEM vehicle connectivity, digital keys, touchless rentals, autonomous vehicles, and the growing importance of choosing the right telematics strategy for long term fleet efficiency.

Key takeaways:

• Connected vehicle data can help rental operators improve fleet utilization, automate manual processes, and respond to vehicle issues before they impact the next customer.
• Real time telematics can help operators detect towing, theft, impacts, fuel levels, and mileage faster, reducing downtime and helping protect fleet revenue.
• OEM connectivity, digital keys, and touchless rentals are shaping the future of car rental, but reliable data and the right technology strategy remain critical.

Episode highlights:

(00:00) Meet Mark Novak

(01:31) Small vs. large fleet operator challenges

(02:52) Lessons learned from behind the rental counter

(04:48) Why Zubie went all-in on the rental industry

(06:08) The education gap around telematics data

(07:03) Why real-time data beats slow, low-cost tracking

(08:26) Zubie's retention rate and how it stays differentiated

(11:31) How connected car adoption has evolved over the years

(14:25) Preventing vehicle theft and predatory towing

(17:19) Data privacy, state laws, and masking location on rent

(31:39) What the vehicle of 2030 and autonomous rentals look like

Resources:

Mark Novak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marknovak16/

Explore Zubie: https://zubie.com/

Don Lefeve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-lefeve/

Carlos Bazan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cabazan/

Sharky Laguana on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharkylaguana/

Explore American Car Rental Association: https://www.acradrivesamerica.org/

Cars are becoming driving computers, giving transportation operators new ways to understand their vehicles, prevent problems, and create a better customer experience.

Philipp Gauss, Vice President / Head of Sales & Marketing Connected Fleet Solutions North America at Bosch USA, joins The Mobility Perspective to discuss how connected vehicle technology is changing fleet operations and the future of mobility. He explores how AI-powered vehicles and predictive maintenance can help operators make better use of vehicle data, protect residual value, and address maintenance before a failure occurs. Philipp also looks ahead at autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, hybrid technology, and the opportunities these changes could create for the rental car industry.

Key takeaways:

• Connected vehicle data can help fleet operators move from emergency repairs to predictive maintenance, reducing disruptions and improving asset management.
• Autonomous vehicles could create new opportunities for rental operators, including using idle fleet vehicles for robotaxi and local transportation services.
• Transportation technology should solve real operational problems, with AI, connectivity, and automation creating the most value when they support clear business needs.

Episode highlights:

(00:00) Meet Philipp Gauss

(00:58) Inside Bosch’s automotive technology footprint

(03:02) Where rental fleets face technology gaps

(05:04) Building fleet technology around operator needs

(07:10) What the AI cockpit means for drivers

(11:49) The shift toward software-defined vehicles

(14:03) Using data to predict vehicle maintenance

(16:11) Where autonomous driving technology stands today

(19:42) Where robotaxis fit into the rental market

(22:23) Inside Bosch’s autonomous vehicle technology

(30:38) Balancing connected vehicles with driver privacy

(34:00) Why industry associations matter for mobility

Resources:

Philipp Gauss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-gauss-1232b0b4/

Explore Bosch USA: https://www.bosch.us/

Don Lefeve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-lefeve/

Carlos Bazan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cabazan/

Sharky Laguana on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharkylaguana/

Explore American Car Rental Association: https://www.acradrivesamerica.org/

Airports are more than just gateways for travelers, they are complex operations that require constant investment, innovation, and adaptation to meet the needs of passengers, communities, and the broader transportation network.

Annie Russo, Chief Political and Congressional Strategy Officer at Airports Council International - North America, joins The Mobility Perspective to discuss her career journey from Capitol Hill to advocating for airports across the country. Annie shares how airports are funded, the growing need for infrastructure investment, and the challenges of modernizing facilities while accommodating evolving passenger trends. She also explores how technology and AI are transforming airport operations, how COVID reshaped travel behaviors, and why collaboration between airports, business partners, and communities is essential to building the future of travel.

Key takeaways:

• Airport modernization requires ongoing investment, with infrastructure improvements helping airports meet growing passenger demand and changing travel patterns.
• Technology and AI are transforming airport operations, enhancing safety, improving efficiency, and supporting the highly skilled workforce behind air travel.
• Strong partnerships between airports, businesses, and communities are essential to creating better passenger experiences and supporting economic growth.

Episode highlights:

(00:00) Meet Annie Russo

(00:51) How Annie Russo came to work at ACI

(02:31) What most people don't know about working on Capitol Hill

(04:00) What she learned moving from Capitol Hill to ACI

(05:32) How airports are actually funded

(13:00) The rental car partnership with airports

(16:40) ACI's priorities for the next FAA reauthorization bill

(21:42) How airports are adopting tech and AI

(24:19) What keeps Annie up at night

(26:42) The craziest story from Annie's airport career

Resources:

Annie Russo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annierusso/

Explore Airports Council International - North America: https://airportscouncil.org/

Don Lefeve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-lefeve/

Carlos Bazan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cabazan/

Sharky Laguana on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharkylaguana/

Explore American Car Rental Association: https://www.acradrivesamerica.org/