Our Story
50 years of innovation has positioned us a recognized technology leader in fleet management. Our recent merger with Wheels Inc. within Athene drives both organizations to the next era.
The Future of Fleet is Now—Merger with Wheels
Today, we continue to enthusiastically invest in the future of fleet. With the October 2021 announcement of the Donlen and Wheels merger within Athene, Wheels Donlen has emerged as a powerhouse provider of financing and comprehensive fleet management solutions. The new organization is the most customer-centric FMC in the industry, providing a consultative approach that guides our customers in improved efficiencies for today along with the strategic planning essential for the evolving mobility revolution.
“The new organization has the dedicated people, size, financial strength, creativity—and most of all the reputation—for the ethical business practices that will position us as a leader in the industry now and in the future”, stated Shlomo Crandus, CEO of Wheels Donlen.
Through blending two like-minded corporate cultures, each with an emphasis on client-focused service, the new organization honors the legacy of each entity while combining our strengths to build a powerful mobility and outsourcing solutions provider with $5 Billion in assets, a larger product range and a highly diversified customer base.
Donlen Sale to Athene Holding
This is an exciting and significant time in Donlen’s history. As of March 30, 2021, Donlen was purchased by Athene Holding Ltd. from Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Athene, a subsidiary of Apollo (NYSE: APO), is a leading financial and retirement services business with operations in the United States, Bermuda, and Canada. This partnership provides a stable and long-term capital base for Donlen, allowing for investments in future growth opportunities.
Donlen President Tom Callahan said, “We are thrilled to gain the confidence and support of Athene, who believes deeply in our business and our people. Donlen will be even better positioned for the future as an industry leader with Athene’s investments in our proprietary tools, data management capabilities, and our focus on exceptional customer service, and we look forward to a bright future together.”
Athene Chairman and CEO Jim Belardi said, “We are confident that pairing Donlen’s expertise in fleet management with Athene’s strategic investment will result in a positive outcome for all parties involved. With our support, Donlen will be able to enhance their client experience and continue to grow their presence as a fleet management leader.”
Founded in 2009, Athene is Driven to Do More for its policyholders, business partners, shareholders, and the communities in which they work and live. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.
Innovating Fleet Since 1965
On April 27, 1965, Donald “Don” Rappeport and Leonard “Len” Vine recognized the potential the fleet leasing and management industry had, and decided they wanted to be a part of this growing industry. On that day, Donlen was formed.
During the 1970s, we began positioning ourselves as innovative leaders in fleet management by deviating from the typical business sedan and putting clients in specialty-type cars. In the 80s, we became technology innovators by being the first to pioneer computer-based fleet leasing seminars. This new technology took weeks off of the vehicle ordering process.
In the 21st century, we continued to expand our technology services and improve the processes for our customers. We’re known for being the most “tech savvy” company.
In these past 50 years, Donlen has made many contributions to the industry including:
- FleetWeb® was named Microsoft’s “Best e-Commerce Solution.”
- Our Vehicle Optimization Model® (VOM) revolutionized lifecycle analysis through the industry’s most advanced tools, consultation and benchmarking.
- Donlen’s Prevent Unnecessary Spending and Hazards (PUSH) was the industry’s first customizable, automated email technology.
- Donlen launched the Customer Activity and Request Engine (CARE), our proprietary relationship management tool which gave transparency to all customer service requests.
- Donlen created the first ever fleet carbon reporting tool used to track and benchmark a fleet’s carbon output.
- Fleets for Change® launched to reduce global fleet emissions.
- We developed DriverPoint® Telematics, the industry’s most comprehensive telematics platform.
- Donlen launched the first fleet management app for the iPhone.
- Looking forward to the next era, Wheels Donlen is poised for continued achievements and we thank all of our customers, employees, executive leaders, and shareholders. Our success to due to you!
We are poised for continued success, and we thank all of our customers, employees, executive leaders, and shareholders. We’re successful because of you.
Technology was our way of providing outstanding customer service and in the ’90s that continued to be true when Donlen was one of the first fleet management companies to go paperless. Donlen developed a computerized system specifically designed to improve customer service speed and efficiency.
Fleet Innovation is in our DNA
Donlen has contributed countless technical advancements to the fleet industry.
Snapshot in Time
Feel like going back in time? Parts of our first website are archived on the following external link. While some content is missing, you can still take a drive down memory lane.
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