Choosing a personal car can already be a challenge, so imagine when you’re choosing a vehicle for a whole company fleet. There can be tons of variables involved in the buying process and things you wouldn’t have to consider if buying a car for you or your family. But, it’s possible to find a great company car if you break down the whole process correctly and break down what you essentially need in a car.
Here are a few tips on how to choose a proper company vehicle:
Think about Carbon Emissions.
For many people, carbon emissions are really an afterthought when it comes to picking a car. But being environmentally sound in your choice of cars and in your operations, in general, can pay off in a variety of ways. First off, cars with lower carbon emissions usually burn much less fuel. But, more importantly, using eco-friendly cars could be used as part of your branding, especially if transport plays a major role. A simple sticker could be more than enough to generate a positive response from environmentally conscious customers.
Focus on Reliability.
A car that won’t cost you an arm to repair is essential if you don’t want to be stuck with outrageous maintenance fees. It’s easy to run a search on most reliable car companies and look at their most reliable models. The only way to know which vehicles are truly reliable is to do the proper research. Look for reviews online and get second opinions from people online and offline as well. Pro tip – look at which models your local police department or taxis use. They rely a lot on their vehicles, and chances are that if these are good enough for them, they should be good enough for you.
Don’t be afraid to talk with your current mechanic as well. If you trust them and they have been there for many years, they will give you a few advice on which models to avoid and which ones to buy. They are aware of problem vehicles and can identify patterns with particular car makers. Certain vehicles may be notorious for having electrical issues while others may have faulty transmissions. Only an expert will be able to give you a rundown of the best and worst vehicles for your operations.
Appearance.
Depending on your line of business, the appearance of your vehicles can make a world of difference. They also have to complement your brand image as well. If your target audience is young millennials and you’re trying to convey a fresh image, then grey sedans might not be the best idea. However, if you represent an insurance company, you may consider going for more upscale executive models. Either way, you have to make sure that the vehicles you choose are in perfect condition and work as an extension of your brand.
Conclusion.
Choosing a company vehicle isn’t that complicated at all. It’s all a matter of understanding your needs and the brand image you want to project and doing your due diligence on which types of vehicles would be able to carry the load. Here are more car buying guides that will help you out.
