When you own a business that requires a fleet of vehicles, you need to carefully research and plan what kind of automobiles would be best suited to your requirements.
Cars or Trucks?
The first question you should ask yourself is what type of vehicle do you require to meet the needs of your business? Do you need large vans to transport goods to customers or the business premises? If so, consider the size and quantity of items you transport so that you get a vehicle large enough to cope. In this instance, you will be looking to acquire large vans such as an International Transtar or International Durastar. Durastars can be used as flatbed trucks, emergency vehicles, buses, and cargo box trucks.
Perhaps your business is more sales-based, and you require a fleet of smart-looking cars for your sales staff to visit clients in and give your company a sleek, professional look.
New or Used?
Automobiles are a significant expense for any business, so if you find that your purse strings are tight, consider buying a used vehicle. Cars depreciate in value as soon as you drive them out of the sales yard, and sometimes it is more of an advantage to buy second hand as you are getting the same vehicle, albeit with some cosmetic flaws, for a fraction of the original cost.
However, if you require a vehicle that is fitted with the latest modern equipment and gadgetry, you might want to purchase a new car. Another advantage of buying new is that your repair and maintenance costs should be less than when purchasing used vehicles.
Type of Fuel?
When buying a fleet of vehicles, you need to think about the financial and environmental impact they will have on your business and the environment.
It would be best to think about the length of journeys the vehicle will be taking and the frequency of the trip. Diesel is the most economical fuel for long journeys on motorways and is the preferred choice of companies with a large fleet taking frequent, extensive excursions. Petrol vehicles are suitable for short journeys, as are hybrid cars, which take a long time to charge so aren’t suited to frequent road trips. A lack of charging points around the country can be an issue too.
However, it makes sense to prepare for the future and do your bit to prevent more damage to the ozone layer by Investing in hybrid and electric vehicles. More and more hybrid trucks are coming onto the market now. If a car’s CO2 emissions are high, the car will cost more money to tax.
Level of Maintenance
When buying a company vehicle, you should consider the total cost of the vehicle over its lifespan and not just the price it is to purchase. Vehicles cost money to tax, insure, fuel, and physically maintain. Using computer software to monitor your fleet maintenance and repair can help you report issues such as vehicle defects as soon as possible, resulting in less downtime.
