Estimated reading time: 5 mins
If you want to purchase a company car then you will know how important it is to choose something that reflects your business needs. It may be that you do a lot of local deliveries so you need something quick and nimble for the local streets. On the other hand, it may be that you often find that you drive clients around, and want something that is going to give a good first impression. Either way, if this sounds like you, then the only thing you have to do is take a look below.
Impact on the Environment
More and more people are making active decisions to try and reduce the impact that they have on the environment. It seems sensible to start looking at the fundamentals that could influence your decision here. If you are currently driving an older car, but it’s relatively fuel-efficient then keeping this car on the road will produce lower greenhouse gas emissions. If you buy a new car however, then you may find that through manufacturing alone, your carbon footprint is bigger. If you want to make the right decision then the first thing you need to do is think about how fuel-efficient your current car is. You can then decide whether or not you should be opting for a new one, or simply upgrading the car you have now.
Fuel Type
If you know a bit about cars then you will know that at one point, diesel cars were being pushed quite a lot. That being said, it’s no longer that efficient to do this. Electric cars are now becoming the norm and the benefits of investing in them speak for themselves. Governments are now trying to incentivise people to buy cars that rely on power alone. If you are thinking about buying an electric car then now is the time for you to do that, but if you don’t have the budget, then diesel could still be the way to go. One thing that a lot of people overlook when buying a new electric car is the charging requirements. You need a space where you can power your car and you will need to plan your journey around the electric charging points as well. Only by doing this can you make sure that you understand the full cost of electric car ownership.
Career and Lifestyle
If you happen to sell wind turbines for a living then choosing an eco-friendly car is obviously of great importance. With that in mind, you don’t want to have to spend hours queuing up for a rapid charger in the middle of a town you don’t know. Think carefully about your career and your lifestyle, and give some thought to electric vs. hybrid. If you don’t have off-street parking then charging could be a major hassle, so the trade-off of convenience in favor of your image might not be worth it.
Exclusive Models
Most brands create models that are specific for company car drivers. If you look at the Vauxhall Astra Tech range then you will soon see that this comes with a sat-nav as well as an 8-inch screen. You have a leather steering wheel, along with a front armrest. This helps to make it very appealing to those who want to impress clients and it also makes it a solid option for anyone who wants a nice car but without breaking the bank. You need to remember that you can also claim the car back as a business expense.
Branding
Are you going to be adding any kind of branding to your company car? If so then you will want to make sure that you choose the right color. Red cars aren’t too good for branding purposes because both black and white text doesn’t stand out on them too much. If you opt for a white car then black text is nice and bold and vice-versa. Even silver cars work, but if you opt for a color then this may make it difficult for you to add your branding decal efficiently. If you want to personalize your car a little then one thing you can do is add DVLA number plates. This is a great way for you to personalize your new ride without compromising how professional it looks.
Driver Safety
Another thing you need to give some serious thought to would be driver safety. You have to make sure that your team is safe when riding in the car of your choosing. Some of the things you can choose include having extra mirrors or even having a rear-parking sensor. Some cars also come with additional safety features which is great as it could even lower your insurance costs. If you’re not sure what to look for in terms of driver safety then the dealership can advise you on this most of the time but don’t get sucked into their sales pitches. You shouldn’t spend more than you can afford, as at the end of the day, as long as it meets your commercial needs you shouldn’t have an issue.
Insurance
Another thing you need to give some thought to would be insurance. You need to make sure that you don’t take out a car that you can’t afford to insure properly, especially if there are going to be multiple people driving the car. If you want to do something about this then the first thing you need to do is make sure that you compare insurance prices on the models you are looking at, prior to choosing your car. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to make the best decision while keeping your business expenses low.
Of course, choosing a company car can be difficult but there are things you can do to try and make your life easier. If you follow the tips above, then you should be able to choose a vehicle that’s not only affordable, but that also meets your commercial needs.
