Fleet without borders: global vs. glocal strategies

*By Suresh Rajapakse, Chief Client Officer at Wheels

and Gavin Eagle, Global Director, International at Ayvens*

In today’s interconnected world, managing a global fleet has shifted from being a niche strategy to a critical capability for many multinational organisations. One of the biggest decisions fleet leaders face is whether to stick with a standardised global model or take a more flexible “glocal” approach – global, but with local considerations built into the plan.

Each path has its own strengths, and choosing the right model depends on your company’s structure, goals and how complex your international operations are. So, let’s explore both models and see how fleet management leaders at Wheels and Ayvens are helping clients choose (and fine-tune) the right strategy for their unique needs.

Traditionally, this model is all about alignment and efficiency. It’s built on the idea of keeping things uniform – whether it’s policies, processes or performance metrics. While there’s always room for some local adjustments to meet regulations, the core of this strategy is centralised decision-making. That means global procurement, supplier partnerships, and technology platforms are all coordinated to deliver consistent service and clear, actionable data across every region.

Advantages:

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  Cost Efficiency: Centralised procurement can result in better pricing and reduced administrative overhead.
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  Policy Uniformity: Ensures compliance with corporate safety, sustainability, and governance standards.
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  Data Consolidation: Global reporting tools offer unified insights and benchmarked KPIs across markets.
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  Operational Predictability: Standard processes simplify training, onboarding, and management for global teams.

Challenges:

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  Local Inflexibility: Standardisation can struggle to accommodate regional regulations, taxation, and cultural preferences.
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  Reduced Autonomy: Local teams may lack agility to respond to regional market-specific dynamics.

So what do organisations do when regional differences make standardisation less efficient and perhaps even alienating to local employees, drivers or clients?

The glocal approach brings the best of both worlds – global strategy with local expertise. Instead of trying to make one policy fit every market, this model allows regional teams the flexibility to adapt to local laws, road conditions, driver expectations, and even cultural norms. The overarching goals—cost control, safety, sustainability—stay consistent, but the execution is tailored to each country or region.

This flexibility can be a game-changer in areas with complex regulatory environments or rapidly shifting market dynamics. With the glocal model, companies can move faster, stay compliant, and build fleet programmes that resonate locally while still aligning with global business objectives. That’s exactly why Wheels and Ayvens work closely with clients to strike the right balance—offering global coordination where it fits your strategy and local expertise where it counts.

Advantages:

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  Regulatory Compliance: Local teams can more easily navigate complex legal landscapes.
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  Driver Relevance: Programmes can be culturally aligned and more attractive to local drivers.
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  Market Responsiveness: Fleet sourcing, vehicle types, and service partners can be aligned with local supply and infrastructure.
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  Operational Agility: Enables quick pivots in the face of region-specific risks (e.g., tariffs, supply chain disruptions).

Challenges:

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  Complex Coordination: Managing varying regional practices can lead to administrative complexity.
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  Inconsistent Data: Without unified platforms, insights may be fragmented.
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  Diluted Brand Experience: Variable service levels or policies may impact consistency in stakeholder perception.

When it comes to international fleet management, one size rarely fits all. Fleet leaders must evaluate key organisational factors—looking at their company’s structure, goals, and global footprint—choosing between a standardised or glocal approach that can truly drive long-term performance, agility, and results. They are multiple factors to be considered:

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  Company Structure

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  Centralised Enterprises: Organisations with centralised leadership and tightly integrated business units may find the standardised model more efficient.
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  Decentralised or Federated Models: Companies that empower regional units to operate autonomously are better aligned with the glocal model.

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  Organisational Goals

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  Global Cost Reduction or Sustainability: Companies prioritising enterprise-wide initiatives such as carbon neutrality or procurement consolidation may benefit from the standardised model.
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  Customer Service Excellence or Market Penetration: If the goal is deep market reach or tailored customer experience, the glocal approach offers more latitude.

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  Geographic Footprint

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  Homogeneous Regions (e.g., EU): Standardisation is easier where regulatory environments are harmonised.
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  Diverse Regions (e.g., North America, Asia-Pacific, LATAM): The glocal model allows for adaptation to fragmented regulatory, tax, and infrastructure environments.

Both Wheels and Ayvens have expansive international capabilities. Together, we offer the flexibility and scale to support whatever fleet model works best for your business—whether that’s a fully standardised model, a more localised approach, or a thoughtful mix of both.

At Wheels, we’re known for helping clients build strong, data-driven programmes that deliver consistency and measurable ROI. But we also know there’s no such thing as a “copy and paste” fleet management solution. That’s why we offer plenty of room for configuration, backed by deep US expertise and the ability to adapt to regional needs wherever your fleet is located. At Ayvens, we’ve also long embraced the glocal philosophy. With our position as #1 global multibrand and our dedicated global coordination teams and local account managers on the ground, we’re built to help clients stay aligned globally while moving with agility at the local level—whether it's navigating changing taxation and regulations, meeting emissions targets, or responding to market shifts. Together through this alliance, Wheels and Ayvens offer the best of both worlds: global oversight in 59 countries, seamless reporting, harmonised KPIs, and regional customisation via local experts. You get consistency where it counts and flexibility when it’s needed.

There is no universally superior model that can be applied to all international organisations. It all comes down to what aligns with your company’s operating model, culture, mission and regional complexity. For some, a single global policy enforced through centralised control is the ideal. For others, a flexible framework that empowers regional teams under a global umbrella is the key to agility and relevance.

With the right global partners, fleet managers no longer have to choose between control and adaptability. Through our powerful alliance, Wheels and Ayvens deliver fleet programmes that seamlessly combine global consistency with local perspectives—empowering your business to operate smarter, faster, and more competitively in every market around the world.

Want to learn what’s possible for your fleet?