SEATTLE, Wash. – Zonar, a leader in commercial vehicle fleet health and safety, today announced the release of its next generation Zonar LD Telematics Control Unit (TCU), delivering more comprehensive and faster vehicle intelligence and security data to meet the broadening demands of fleets. With advanced telematics capabilities, faster installation, and expanded vehicle coverage, the new iteration empowers fleet operators to optimize operations while continuing to prioritize strengthening efficiency, safety, and performance.

Light-duty vehicles form the backbone of today’s vocational fleets and extend beyond into passenger vans for school districts and transit systems, field services and last-mile delivery vehicles. The Zonar LD TCU offers a plug-and-play telematics solution tailored to the unique needs of these vehicles. It continues to provide robust Zonar Ground Traffic Control reporting capabilities as its predecessor, including in-depth diagnostics to ensure vehicle health and safety.

Enhanced features introduce key improvements for a better user experience:

Faster installation: Calibrate and sync in as little as two minutes to get on the road faster.
Enhanced over-the-air updates: Receive device performance enhancements, including expanded vehicle, engine control module (ECM), odometer and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) coverage more quickly and efficiently.
Expanded vehicle coverage: Benefit from increased support for a broader range of vehicle models and types.
Towing detection: Gain visibility into towing events for added security and situational awareness.
Cold start event tracking: Detect soft or hard reboots to better identify device tampering to improve the security of fleet vehicles and technology assets.
“Demand for light-duty tracking and diagnostics capabilities continue to grow, particularly in field services, retail, grocery, package delivery, and passenger transport sectors,” said Greg Colvin, senior director of solutions engineering at Zonar. “Fleets need a solution that’s simple to install, easy to manage, and delivers complex vehicle data insights across the wide spectrum of light-duty fleet vehicles all in one platform. Our next generation light-duty TCU builds on the strengths of its predecessor and allows for a quicker deployment, more expansive vehicle support, faster insights, and more visibility than before.”

Today’s fleets require more flexible, non-traditional transportation options to meet the pressures of delivering offered services. School districts increasingly rely on smaller passenger vehicles to transport students to special programs and after-school activities, or to provide ride-share alternative transportation, but still need to track students and vehicle safety alongside their school bus fleet. Additionally, the surge in e-commerce has increased last-mile delivery needs, where distribution costs account for nearly half of supply chain expenses. With these diverse demands, fleets need a true plug-and-play solution with wide light-duty vehicle coverage and a universal platform that monitors vehicle health, location, and performance across all vehicle types—light, medium or heavy duty.

For more information on the Zonar LD TCU, visit:https://www.zonarsystems.com/zonarld

About Zonar:
Founded in 2001, Zonar has pioneered smart transportation mobility solutions for vocational, public sector/pupil, mass transit, and commercial trucking industries. The Zonar mission is to enhance the safety, performance, and success of its customer’s fleets by transforming the delivery of innovative insights for commercial fleets. Headquartered in Seattle, Zonar also operates a distribution center in West Chicago.

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How much control do you want over your fleet? The low price for a GPS-only, untethered fleet tracking solution may look shiny. But limited technologies pass their limitations on to you. Know what you’re getting (or missing).

Find out more about tracking your fleet with a tethered solution that features an OEM-grade TCU versus using a more limited, untethered option that isn’t designed for deeper, fleetwide visibility.

Download this complimentary white paper to learn about the differences between tethered and untethered fleet tracking solutions. And what they offer.

• Find out which offers upfront savings and which offers greater, longer-term savings across more of your operation.
• Compare their differences side by side, including reliability, accuracy, data types and technical designs.
• Understand the types of vehicle data each option pulls and doesn’t pull, and how they impact your level of visibility.
• Learn more about reducing costs, enhancing compliance and maintaining greater vehicle health with data pulled directly from the vehicle.
• Find out why OEMs trust premium, tethered telematics solutions that feature a TCU over untethered fleet tracking solutions that don’t.

Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.

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Industry expert, NAPT Hall of Famer, TSD Tenured Faculty Member, and consultant Linda Bluth, Ed.D joins us for the first time on the podcast to share insights on students with special needs. She addresses the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), departmental collaboration, aides, alternative transportation, substitute drivers, training and more.

New Zonar CEO Charles Kriete discusses the technology provider’s combination with GPS Trackit, as well as efficiencies and innovations planned for the future.

Read more about special needs and leadership.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Thomas Built Buses.

Conversation with Zonar.

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube.

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Zonar Systems has merged with GPS Trackit, an award-winning provider of IoT and GPS fleet tracking technology. Together, the two companies aim to form a comprehensive platform to serve fleets of all sizes, including commercial, field services, and passenger transportation industries.

Zonar will operate as part of the GPS Trackit portfolio “while maintaining its commitment to providing industry-leading fleet health and safety solutions, particularly in the government and education sectors,” the companies said in a statement on Tuesday. “Together, the two companies will form a comprehensive platform that serves fleets of all sizes, delivering best-in-class telematics and cloud-based solutions for commercial fleet, field services, and passenger industries.”

The move announced on Tuesday is also part of a broader strategic realignment by Continental, which held a majority share in Zonar since October 2016, to streamline operations and focus on core automotive competencies. Philipp von Hirschheydt, Continental executive board member and head of automotive, described the sale as essential for sharpening the company’s focus and enhancing long-term value.

Zonar, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, has built its reputation on advancing fleet safety and efficiency through smart mobility solutions. The company pioneered technologies such as electronically verified pre-trip and post-trip inspections, reducing the risk of on-the-road breakdowns and enhancing operational performance. Its solutions serve the vocational, public, and commercial trucking industries.

GPS Trackit, established in 2002, has become a leading provider of cloud-based fleet management tools. Headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, it supports over 12,000 fleets globally, offering real-time tracking, telematics and video solutions. With a customer-first approach, the company is known for its personalized service and strong customer retention rates.

The merger brings together two industry leaders with complementary strengths. The company’s said in joint statement that Zonar’s expertise in advanced mobility technology aligns with GPS Trackit’s focus on telematics and IoT-driven fleet management. IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to a network of physical devices — vehicles, sensors, and equipment — that are connected to the internet to collect and exchange data. In fleet management, IoT facilitates real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, and comprehensive data analysis, enabling businesses to enhance operational efficiency, improve safety, and reduce costs.

This merger also positions the companies to address emerging trends in fleet management, such as the integration of electric vehicles (EVs), sustainability initiatives, and data-driven decision-making. By uniting their resources and expertise, Zonar and GPS Trackit said they aim to remain at the forefront of innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.

Both Zonar and GPS Trackit also emphasized their commitment to delivering customer-focused solutions. Zonar’s U.S.-based customer success team is known for exceeding expectations, while GPS Trackit offers live, bilingual support and flexible, scalable solutions tailored to individual fleet needs. By leveraging IoT and telematics technologies, fleet managers can access real-time insights into vehicle performance, optimize routes, and predict maintenance needs before costly breakdowns occur.

The combination of these capabilities, the companies said, ensures that fleet operators will benefit from seamless integration of tools and personalized support, reinforcing both companies’ reputations as customer-centric leaders in the industry.

“This alignment represents a significant step forward in our shared mission to deliver innovative, customer-focused fleet management solutions. By combining our strengths, such as our best-in-class video platform, with Zonar’s advanced technologies and industry expertise, we are poised to create unparalleled value for our customers and further disrupt the market as two industry leaders in overall customer satisfaction,” said GPS Trackit CEO Charles Kriete.

Meanwhile, the companies noted that the fleet management industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by advancements in technology and increasing regulatory demands. Predictive maintenance, AI-powered analytics, and IoT-enabled telematics are becoming essential tools for fleet operators looking to improve efficiency and sustainability. These technologies also play a critical role in adapting to the growing adoption of EVs and meeting environmental regulations.

With the merger, Zonar and GPS Trackit said they are well-positioned to address these industry shifts. Their combined platform will provide comprehensive solutions that cater to the diverse needs of modern fleets, from small businesses to large enterprises.

By integrating their capabilities, Zonar and GPS Trackit said they look to redefine industry standards for fleet management.

Related: Continental Sells Zonar to GPS Trackit
Related: Statewide South Carolina School Bus Routing, GPS Solution Prepares for Launch
Related: GPS and Parent Apps are Coming to New York City

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich.-Continental today announced the sale of Zonar, a leading smart fleet management provider, to GPS Trackit, an industry pioneer in cloud-based, IoT fleet solutions and GPS tracking. Details of the transaction, including financial terms, are not being disclosed.

The deal follows Continental’s Group Sector Automotive strategy, announced last year, centered around focusing on its core strengths and streamlining its business operations.

“The decision to sell Zonar is part of our broader automotive strategy to sharpen our focus and enhance our fundamental strengths,” said Philipp von Hirschheydt, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Automotive. “As the market continues to evolve, our focus on value creation is the cornerstone of our strategic efforts. Continental is committed to leveraging innovation and operational excellence to strengthen its position in the marketplace by further investing in its core competencies to prioritize its growth.”

Zonar, founded in 2001, is headquartered in Seattle, Washington with more than 300 employees. It has pioneered smart mobility solutions throughout vocational, pupil, mass transit, and commercial trucking industries. The Zonar mission is to enhance the safety, performance, and success of its customers with actionable, innovative, and AI-enabled insights.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zonar to the GPS Trackit family. This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our mission to deliver innovative, customer-focused fleet management solutions,” said Charles Kriete, CEO, GPS Trackit. “By combining our strengths, such as our best-in-class video platform, with Zonar’s advanced technologies and industry expertise, we are poised to create unparalleled value for our customers and further disrupt the market as two industry leaders in overall customer satisfaction. We look forward to building on the Zonar legacy of excellence and driving transformative growth together.”

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2023, Continental generated sales of €41.4 billion, and currently employs around 200,000 people in 56 countries and markets.

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