Having a company vehicle can change the way you do business. It can provide your brand with a presence on the road, it gives you the ability to increase your mobile workforce, and it can show your employees that you care about preserving their personal vehicles.
That doesn’t mean finding the right company vehicle is easy! There are a lot of things to consider. It’s important to consider them all if you want to find a vehicle that’s a good fit for your business, and you don’t want to spend a fortune over the lifetime of the vehicle. Here are a few things to think about as you begin your search.
Consider Color Carefully
One of the strangest and most surprising things you will want to consider is the color of your vehicle. It’s important when it comes to your company’s brand. For example, if your brand uses the color blue, you won’t want to drive around a fleet of red vehicles.
There’s another reason why you might not want to choose a red car—they get in more accidents. Red cars are associated with a seven percent higher crash risk. Other colors that get in more accidents include grey cars and blue cars.
White is generally the safest color, and it’s one that can look great when driven by any business. If you’re looking to get the attention of other drivers on the road, consider a bright color, like yellow.
Think About What the Vehicle Will Be Used For
It may seem obvious, but it is important to think carefully about what the car will be used for. Different types of vehicles are better for different kinds of businesses.
A few examples include:
- Small vans are a favorite among bakers and florists.
- Large vans are great for service professionals, like plumbers.
- Trucks are popular among contractors and landscapers.
- Four-door vehicles are great for offices.
Also, consider how many passengers will be riding in the car at a time. For example, if you have more than one location, and you have a group of employees that works at both, it may be better to get a large van and transport everyone at the same time instead of using multiple smaller vehicles.
That said, you should strive to find the smallest car that still fits your needs. Small cars are easier to maintain, easier to store, and more affordable overall.
Consider Safety Features Carefully
You want to keep your employees safe, but it’s also important to safeguard your business. You could be held liable if there is a serious accident, not to mention the high costs associated with replacing a vehicle or paying for medical bills.
Consider modern safety features carefully when you’re shopping for a company car. Look for safety features like:
- Brake assist enhances a panic stop without locking the brakes.
- Forward-collision warning uses cameras to alert the driver of a potential crash.
- Automatic emergency braking will engage the brakes if the driver doesn’t react in time.
- Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance between other cars on the road.
- Lane-keeping assist can keep you from drifting out of your lane.
Think About Your Company’s Image
Safety and usefulness are extremely important things to consider when searching for a work vehicle, but you also have to think about how the car will fit with your company’s image. Brand image is important, especially while you’re on the road, as it may be the first time potential customers and clients interact with your business.
Color is only one aspect of making sure your vehicle matches the look and feel of your business. The style of the car matters too. For example, a truck signifies that your business can get the job done, while a Mini Cooper gives your business a more whimsical appearance on the road. If you could use some help, ask your employees what car they would choose to represent your business.
Check Taxes and Insurance
Buying a car can cost a lot of money, but the charges keep racking up as long as you own and drive that vehicle. Before you commit to a purchase, it’s important to look into the taxes and insurance that would be associated with that particular vehicle.
The tax rules can be complicated when it comes to company vehicles. For example, you may want to choose a luxury vehicle, as it’s a good match for your brand’s image, but the tax limits are very tight on what you can claim.
Consider insurance too. Cars with more powerful engines are generally more expensive to insure, as are newer cars.
Consider a Car With an Easy-To-Clean Interior
The last thing you will want to do is spend a lot of time cleaning your company car. Whether you’re driving it or someone else is, it can be very helpful to find a car with an interior that is easy to clean.
Leather is easier to clean than upholstered seats. Darker fabrics hide stains better than lighter fabrics. If you don’t have a lot of control over the car’s interior, consider purchasing seat covers that can be removed and washed easily, as well as floor mats that can be replaced.
Compare Price to Reliability
Price is an extremely important consideration, but that doesn’t mean you should automatically gravitate towards the lowest priced vehicle. You have to think carefully about the value and reliability of the car too. Otherwise, you’ll end up having it repaired or replaced sooner than you’d like.
Read reviews online when looking for a car company that is known for its reliability. Consider a lower mileage vehicle, as opposed to a used vehicle with over 100,000 miles, to reduce the likelihood that you’ll have to repair the car anytime soon. You may pay a little bit more upfront, but you’ll save in the long run.
Shopping for a company vehicle isn’t all fun and games! There are a lot of things you should consider when purchasing a car in order to ensure it’s the right fit for your business.