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/