April 2026 Update: New Data Values Available in TotalView

We have enhanced the reporting data for two of our Personal Use Reports available in both the new and classic user interfaces.

The Employees Missing Mileage and Employees Enrolled in Personal Use reports now capture and display employee Enrollment and Unenrollment dates.  These data values allow for a more comprehensive analysis and review of the report data.

In an interview with Automotive Fleet, Merchants Fleet CEO Matt Dyer talks about whether fleet has finally turned the page on the COVID era.

Dyer said while the industry has landed in a “new normal,” fleet is still feeling the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding the most important shift has come from how fleet is viewed within the organization it serves.

Dyer also sat down for an episode of Automotive Fleet’s State of the Fleet Industry video series, where he talked about how fleets must rethinking uptime and total cost of ownership to drive business performance.

The Latest From The Merchants Blog:

• Work Truck Week 2026 Recap: Where Truck Strategy and Real-World Performance Are Converging: Work Truck Week 2026 made one thing clear: Fleet Strategy is being shaped on the jobsite as much as it is in the boardroom. In this post, learn about the three clear shifts Merchants Fleet has observed that are already influencing how fleets are plannin:g for the rest of 2026.
• Rethinking Fleet Cost Savings: From Quick Wins to Long-Term Control:Fleet cost savings are becoming more difficult to capture. While most organizations have addressed the obvious opportunities, costs continue to rise and expectations for performance continue to increase. Learn where fleet costs really come from, how to turn data in action and other actions you can take to gain more control over fleet cost savings.
• Why Cycling Fleet Vehicles More Frequently Can Lower Total Cost of Ownership: For many fleets, keeping vehicles longer feels like a safe financial move. The asset is paid down. Monthly expenses are dropped, and replacements can wait. However, when you look at the total cost of ownership, the picture changes. This blog post explains why cycling your fleet vehicles in a more frequent manner can help you lower the total cost of ownership.

Webinar: Fleet Strategy 2026 — How to Navigate Uncertainty Without Adding Cost 

Merchants Fleet is hosting a webinar in partnership with Automotive Fleet titled “Fleet Strategy 2026: How to Navigate Uncertainty Without Adding Cost” taking place on May 13th at 2:00PM EST. Click this link to register for the webinar today.

In an environment where operating, fuel, and vehicle acquisition costs are volatile, a stead focus on lowering total cost of ownership is a must.

Register for this webinar to learn why the most resilient fleets are taking a new approach to their TCO strategy, one where utilization plays a key role.

This webinar will discuss:

• Why utilization is a critical part of fleet economics.
• How idle assets are increasingly expensive assets.
• The financial risk of over-fleeting.
• Why optimizing vehicles already in service often delivers more value than adding new units.
• Strategies to absorb volatility rather than amplify it.

Speakers for the webinar include:

• Merchants Fleet Senior Fleet Consultant Landon McKay
• Merchants Fleet FleetShare Manager Joe Coffey
• Automotive Fleet Moderator Shelley Mika

If you operate Class 7–8 diesel trucks and haven’t yet heard about the 2027 EPA Low-NOx regulation, this update is especially important for you.

The EPA has confirmed the 2027 Low-NOx standard will proceed on its original timeline with no delay. All heavy-duty Class 7–8 diesel engines must meet the new standard beginning with model year 2027, representing an 82.5% reduction in NOx emissions from the current standard.

A common assumption has been that the rule would be rolled back or delayed under the current administration — that window has closed. The EPA formally rejected the ATA’s request to delay implementation and confirmed the core standard is locked in.

This isn’t a reason to panic — it’s a reason to plan. 2026 is your window to buy at today’s prices with today’s proven technology. Fleets that act now can lock in build slots and avoid the cost increase entirely.

​Key facts:

• Normal operation NOx limit: 0.035 g/bhp-hr (down from 0.2 g/bhp-hr)

• Low-load NOx limit: 0.050 g/bhp-hr — a separate cycle-specific requirement

• Estimated cost impact: +$8,000–$15,000 per unit (down from earlier $20,000+ estimates as EPA is expected to remove the extended warranty requirement)

• New systems required: 48V belt-driven alternators, electric grid heaters, close-coupled SCR systems — adding hundreds of pounds and reducing upfit frame space

• ATA requested a delay to 2031: EPA denied, stating changes to the standard or timeline are outside the scope of current rulemaking

• Extended emissions warranty (originally 450,000 miles / 10 years) is expected to be removed — retaining today’s 100,000-mile / 5-year requirement — but this is still a proposed amendment, not yet finalized

What this means for your fleet:

​• Any truck whose build date slips into 2027 could carry the new price tag with no protection — even if it was ordered in 2026

• Build slots for Q3 and Q4 2026 are already being secured; availability is tightening now

• Technology entering the market in 2027 is largely unproven in the field — early adopters take on reliability uncertainty

• Vocational and upfit customers face additional complexity: new aftertreatment packaging may affect body integration and payload capacity

Recommended fleet strategy:

• Accelerate 2026–2027 replacement cycles NOW — review all units due for replacement in the next 18 months

•  Start spec reviews immediately; some OEMs are already tagging backlog orders as 2027 MY if build dates slip

• Begin customer conversations early — fleets that wait for the EPA’s final amendment proposal risk being shut out of 2026 build slots

• For vocational customers: evaluate payload and body fit impacts with your upfitter before finalizing specs

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America issued a formal letter on April 22, 2026 with significant updates affecting the entire Isuzu lineup. This is directly tied to the EPA 2027 NOx regulation and represents one of the most impactful near-term developments for Isuzu fleet customers.

N-Series Diesel:

• The 2027 MY N-Series Diesel does NOT meet 2027 EPA NOx standards

• No compliant N-Series Diesel is anticipated during the 2027 calendar year

• Isuzu engineers are targeting early 2028 for a compliant solution — subject to regulatory and engineering validation

N-Series Gas:

• Targeting early 2027 launch of the 2028 MY N-Series Gas truck

• Will feature GM’s new 6.6L engine (designed to meet NOx requirements) plus an all-new cab and additional features

F-Series:

• 2028 MY F-Series (2027 calendar year production) will continue with the Cummins B6.7 engine

• Cummins B7.2 engine is not expected until 2028 CY — the new F-Series cab launch, previously anticipated for 2027, is now DELAYED

• 2029 MY F-Series details (cab and powertrain) will be communicated once confirmed

Pricing & Inventory:

​• Expected price increase of $8,000–$10,000 for new engine/cab or for NOx non-compliance penalties on the F-Series

• Some models — including the NRR Crew Cab Gas — are SOLD OUT through April 2027 production

• Isuzu has seen an uptick in orders and expects port inventory to move faster than usual

• Once port inventory is gone, Isuzu has limited control over what dealers charge on stock trucks

• Additional cabover order capacity is being made available for fleets, but orders must be in the system within the next few weeks

Isuzu Customers – Don’t Wait

​If your fleet relies on Isuzu N-Series Diesel or F-Series trucks, you are directly in the path of this disruption. The combination of a 2027 diesel compliance gap, rising prices, and shrinking port inventory means your options are narrowing every week.

Merchants Fleet has deep Isuzu expertise and direct relationships to help you navigate this. Contact your Merchants Fleet representative to:

•  Assess your current Isuzu fleet and identify replacement urgency

•  Source available port inventory before it is absorbed by dealers

•  Evaluate gas alternatives (N-Series Gas with the new GM 6.6L) if diesel is no longer viable for your operation

•  Place orders into the system now to secure cabover capacity before the window closes

Subaru of America communicated on April 27, 2026 that the MY26 Ascent order bank closure is imminent — exact date TBD.

•     Submit any outstanding MY26 Ascent orders IMMEDIATELY

•     MY27 Ascent order banks expected to open in late May 2026 (timing subject to change)

•     MY27 Ascent is expected to be carryover — no major changes anticipated

•     The Ascent will be the FIRST Subaru MY27 order bank to open; other MY27 banks open Summer or early Fall

According to the the Ford | Lincoln Fleet Dealer News Bulletin, Ford has announced final order due dates for several of its models, as well as the closing of order banks for other models.

NOTE: Ford reserves the right to close order banks without notice. Submit your orders immediately

•  26′ F-150 (ICE/HEV): Final Order Due Date = June 5, 2026 (commercial & government)

• 26′ F-150 Responder: Final Order Due Date = June 5, 2026 (government only)

• 26′ Explorer (PI Utility): Final Order Due Date = May 14, 2026 (commercial & government)

• 26′ Explorer 100A Package: Order bank CLOSED April 10, 2026 — replacement is 200A package

• 26′ Super Duty (F250–F600): Final Order Due Date = May 1, 2026

• 26′ Super Duty Crew Cab: Order bank CLOSED April 23, 2026 (production capacity reached)

Watch for unexpected trim and option package closeouts plus constrained commodities — these will stop orders from scheduling. Review the applicable vehicle page in the DNB before submitting.

​

Toyota Motor North America announced Delivery, Processing & Handling (DPH) increases effective for all model year vehicles processed on or after May 1, 2026:

GM Envolve is officially rebranding to GM Fleet. The change reflects clearer, more direct communication for fleet customers. Everything else remains the same:

•     Same dedicated account executives

•     Same full portfolio: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles

•     Same OnStar with built-in diagnostics, telematics, and safety features

Merchants has observed enforcement activity that should be on the radar of anyone operating in the state of Alabama.

Alabama has an Ad Valorem tax on motor vehicles, which become due and payable on whichever of these dates occur first:

• The first day of the registration renewal month of the owner
• The date the motor vehicles enters the state of Alabama
• The date the motor vehicles is removed from the inventory of a dealer
• Or the date on which the motor vehicle is other determined to be taxable

This reminder focuses on the second date listed above. Alabama has not strictly enforced the rule around taxation starting the first day of the month a vehicle enters the state. However, Merchants has observed increased enforcement of this rule in 2026.

Thus, if you are operating in Alabama, please be aware of this rule. Taxes will be due for the year starting on the first day of the month a vehicle enters Alabama, and you will be charged through the last day of the month on the registration prior to expiry.

Alabama does NOT prorate based on the vehicle coming into the state on the 15th of the month, or leaving the state a month early.

The following 26 model year vehicles are scheduled to end production during April–June. Act quickly to secure inventory and pricing before build-out deadlines.

The following 27 model year vehicles are scheduled to begin production during April–June.