How to Choose the Right Company Car for Your Business Needs

Private transport is an essential provision for businesses and employees, whether for daily commutes or longer business trips to clients and partners alike. As such, choosing the right company car is an important decision to make.

If you are looking for a model of car with which to build a fleet, or if you are simply in the market for a company car that meets your personal executive needs, here are some of the key questions you should be asking yourself in order to refine your decision-making.

What Will Your Company Car’s Typical Usage Be?

First and foremost, the car you choose needs to be fit for purpose. As such, you should identify yours or your business’ central needs when it comes to transport.

Are you in a trade, and in need of a vehicle to make appointments and carry tools? Or are you a salesperson, driving cross-country to meet with potential leads? Answering these questions can help you narrow down your choices – particularly if you get specific.

What is Your Budget?

Next, you need to marry your usage requirements with your budget. For example, if your needs are executive in nature – such as sales calls or meetings with important business partners – but your business does not have the budget to fund a brand-new executive saloon, you could look to the second-hand market and shop around for a used Audi. Used cars are significantly cheaper than their new counterparts, with a large portion of their retail value disappearing as soon as they leave the dealership.

Of course, more savings can be had if your needs are based more in trade; cars that have been a little less looked-after in terms of body and finish may still be serviceable mechanically, providing an inexpensive entry point for getting a first van or trailer.

Petrol, Diesel or Electric?

This question feeds into the previous question of budget, but attains its own relevance as a result of wider questions about your business. The fuel requirements of your potential company car can have significant consequences for its monthly running costs, but also for maintenance and even for public image.

Petrol and diesel vehicles are cheaper and more abundant, but less sustainable forms of transport. There is also the rising cost of petrol and diesel to contend with, which could be a costly expense if you will be driving often. Electric vehicles are more expensive upfront, but cheaper to run in terms of fuel cost.

They can also help you meet any sustainability targets your business may have instituted – targets that attain particular importance when it comes to equipping staff with a fleet of company cars.