Fleet-technology provider Shiftmove has acquired Ocean, the fleet management division of Orange Business, expanding its presence across Europe as demand accelerates for digital, AI-driven vehicle operations.
The deal positions Shiftmove as one of Europe’s most prominent fleet-technology players, now serving 27,000 corporate clients and managing 730,000 vehicles across the continent. The company, which employs more than 500 people, aims to surpass one million vehicles under management by 2027.
Despite corporate fleets accounting for a major share of emissions and mobility spending, only about 30% of European companies currently rely on specialised fleet-management software. That gap is widening as operators face rising fuel prices, stricter sustainability mandates, and higher insurance and repair costs.
AI-Driven Fleet Optimisation
Shiftmove’s cloud platform uses AI and real-time vehicle data to help organisations acquire vehicles, track operating performance, optimise cost structures, and manage fleets at scale. It supports industries ranging from healthcare and logistics to construction and public-sector services, covering operations from single-vehicle fleets to large corporate networks of more than 10,000 units.
Commenting on the acquisition, Shiftmove CEO Francine Gervazio said the integration of Ocean marks a significant step in modernising Europe’s mobility infrastructure.
“Ocean’s integration strengthens our European ecosystem and speeds our shift to fully connected, intelligent and highly automated fleet operations. Cars are becoming computers, and fleets need technology built for this new reality. With our group’s expertise, we’re setting the new standard for how Europe moves.”
Ocean’s Strong French Footprint Bolsters Europe Expansion
Founded in 2003, Ocean manages 180,000 vehicles for roughly 8,000 customers in France. Known for its geolocation and embedded-telematics expertise, Ocean provides Shiftmove with deep local market penetration and valuable data capabilities.
Stéphane Peycelon, General Manager of Ocean, called the acquisition a strategic leap for the organisation.
“This partnership enables us to bring faster innovation, richer data insights and future-proof solutions to fleets in France and beyond. Shiftmove’s scale and technological ambition strongly complement Ocean’s long-standing leadership in fleet management.”
The acquisition is expected to help Shiftmove strengthen its leadership in a sector facing mounting regulatory pressure and escalating operational costs — factors accelerating technology adoption across European fleets.
Editorial Analysis: Why This Deal Matters
The consolidation of Shiftmove and Ocean reflects a broader transformation in Europe’s mobility ecosystem. As vehicles become increasingly software-defined and fleets shift toward electrification and data-centric operations, companies that can provide scalable, AI-enabled management platforms will define the future of the industry. In this respect, Shiftmove is clearly positioning itself ahead of the curve.
With an expanding customer base and a technological offering that integrates procurement, telematics, sustainability tracking, and predictive maintenance, Shiftmove is building infrastructure that many European companies have yet to adopt — but soon may have no choice but to embrace. By acquiring Ocean, the company secures not only a strong presence in France but also a mature telematics dataset that significantly enhances its innovation potential.
Moreover, the deal aligns with regulatory trends across the EU, where emissions reporting, fleet electrification targets, and data-driven compliance are becoming mandatory rather than optional. Shiftmove now appears well-placed to guide thousands of companies through this transition while shaping the standards for connected-fleet management in Europe.
If you need further assistance or have any corrections, please reach out to editor@thetimesmag.com.
