Over the past five years, the fleet industry has seen dramatic shifts. Between supply chain disruptions, inflation, and vehicle shortages, keeping your fleet current—both in performance and appearance—has become more challenging than ever. And with more changes on the horizon in 2025, fleet managers and business owners will need to make difficult decisions on what to prioritize when it comes to their fleet vehicles, to ensure they are running – and looking – their best, without breaking the bank.
So, what’s your strategy for 2025 fleet planning? With tariffs looming and the costs of imported materials rising, it’s important to have a cost-effective approach to keeping your fleet looking fresh. Whether you’re renewing your entire fleet or just trying to make the most of the vehicles you already have, one thing remains true: your branding still needs to shine.
The Rising Costs of Vehicles in 2025 May Delay Upgrades
According to CarEdge, as of March 2025, the average price for a new car in the U.S. stands at $48,641, nearing the record highs of 2022. Moreover, one in five new car buyers now faces monthly payments exceeding $1,000. Now think about this on a business scale. Many fleet vehicles are much higher than the average cost of a new vehicle, and many fleets are made up of hundreds to thousands of vehicles. These escalating costs have led many businesses to reconsider purchasing new vehicles and instead are holding on to older purchased vehicles or opting to stay in leases long term.
For businesses with leased fleet vehicles approaching the end of their term, buying out those leases has become a smart financial move. Instead of returning the vehicle and absorbing the cost of today’s elevated market prices, purchasing the leased vehicle allows companies to retain a reliable asset—often below its current market value. This strategy not only avoids the high upfront costs of a new vehicle but also stabilizes monthly budgets in a time when vehicle payments are more unpredictable than ever. By staying in leases longer or strategically buying out leases, businesses can save significantly while still maintaining a professional presence—especially if the vehicle branding is kept updated and eye-catching. If you’re considering graphics as part of your 2025 fleet planning, that’s where the Advertising Vehicles team steps in!
Refresh Your Fleet's Appearance Without Breaking the Bank
If your vehicles are mechanically sound but showing signs of age, don’t rush to replace them just yet! As part of your 2025 fleet planning, think of the visual impact a new look can have across your fleet, without having to replace running vehicles solely for aesthetics. Upgrading your vehicle graphics can refresh the look of your fleet at a much lower price tag.
At Advertising Vehicles, we offer a variety of fleet wrap options to match your branding goals and budget, perfect for fleet managers and marketers who want to keep the fleet looking nice, without replacing.
We have an option to fit your graphics needs and vision:
Full Wraps: Completely transform the look of your vehicle with a bold, professional design that turns heads everywhere your fleet goes. It is important to note that full wraps are the most expensive option up front but prove to pay for themselves again and again through increased brand recognition. Additionally, the wrap serves as a protective barrier for the vehicle’s paint and surface against external factors like sunlight, sand, and other abrasives. This is especially important to businesses who may be leasing their vehicle and want them to look brand new externally at the end of the lease period.
Full wraps are a perfect option for businesses looking to make a major shift in the look of their fleet and are hoping to preserve the value of their vehicle.
Partial Wraps: A cost-effective way to make a big impact, partial wraps use your existing vehicle color as part of the design. By using less material, they cut down on production and installation costs, so many businesses that are looking to keep costs low may opt for a partial wrap.
However, with opting for a partial wrap, there is not a protective barrier surrounding the vehicle like with the full wrap. You also increase the risk of “shadowing” – which is when the sunlight and other environmental factors change the color of the exposed paint, so areas under the wrap are the original color when the wrap is removed.
Overall, partial wraps are a perfect solution for those looking to keep costs down and are not as concerned about the potential shadowing – which could be true for those who own the vehicle or if the vehicles are older and will be retired after the wrap’s lifetime.
Decals: Lastly, we have decals, which are perfect for subtle branding or for supplementing older vehicles with updated information. Decals are the most cost-effective solution; however, they do not provide the same impact as the other two options. Additionally, the risk of shadowing is still present with a decal.
Bring Synergy to Your Fleet with Graphics
Another benefit to fleet graphics when looking to extend the lifetime of your existing fleet is that they can bring a consistent look across different vehicle types. For businesses that are hoping to keep vehicles in service for as long as possible – that could mean a variety of vehicle years, makes, and models. This mix of vehicles can typically look disorganized, but implementing a standard look through fleet graphics – like National Heating & Air Conditioning did with their fleet – can be a perfect solution to bring it all together.
Whether you’re trying to stretch the life of your fleet or planning a full rebrand, refreshing your graphics is a smart move. Not only do wraps enhance visibility and brand recognition, but they also protect the vehicle’s paint and improve resale value down the road.
Keep in mind that vehicle wraps should be replaced every 3–5 years to maintain a sharp, professional appearance. With proper care, you can extend their lifetime towards the top of that range and save time and money year over year. But, over time, exposure to the elements can lead to fading, cracking, or peeling—especially for vehicles that spend a lot of time outdoors. If it’s been a few years since your last update, now is the perfect time to evaluate your fleet’s appearance.
Strategy behind 2025 fleet planning — Start with Your Branding
In a year marked by economic uncertainty and rising costs, smart fleet planning in 2025 doesn’t always mean buying new—it means making the most of what you already have. While upgrading vehicles might be on hold, upgrading your branding doesn’t have to be. A refreshed, professional-looking fleet not only boosts visibility but also reinforces confidence in your business at every stoplight and job site.
Our Advertising Vehicles team partners with businesses, fleet management companies, and upfitters to provide high-quality, cost-effective vehicle graphics that elevate the presence of and extend the life of fleets. Whether you’re holding onto leases longer, buying out vehicles, or planning a full rebrand, we’re here to help you move forward—visibly and strategically.
