Posted: 20/03/2018
Top tips for choosing the right company vehicles on the Sunshine Coast
When you are making the decision of what car to buy for your company or the company you work for, the choice can be just as confusing (if not more) than when you buy one for your own personal use. And making the wrong decision could have large financial, time and safety implications. You need to get good value for money and make sure the vehicle suitable for the tasks it will be needed for.
So what should you consider when choosing your next fleet car or commercial vehicle?
Clearly define the needs of your company vehicle on the Sunshine Coast
Firstly, you need to define what the vehicle will mostly be used for and what the vehicle needs to offer to meet those needs so it is fit for purpose and safe.
Some considerations include:
- Required towing capacity
- Tray size is big enough for Utes
- Payload is suitable in vans for the equipment it needs to carry
- Correct door on van for easy access to cargo
- Amount of passengers the vehicle needs to carry
If you have specific equipment or requirements for your vehicle, get assistance from sales staff or an expert fitter at the start of the vehicle selection process to ensure you choose the vehicle that meets your needs.
Also, keep in mind that not everyone in your company many need the same vehicle. In fact, you may need a number of different vehicles for different staff members depending on their job requirements. So when selecting the vehicle make sure you understand who exactly will be using the vehicle and what they need out of the vehicle to fulfil their role.
Consider your company’s plans for the future
When choosing the right vehicle for your company now, you need to also think about if that vehicle will still be fit for purpose in 3 to 5 years time. How big do you aim to grow your company and how much more equipment or employees will you need to carry? Maybe a van would be a better fit in the future then a single cab Ute? Or maybe you will need a Ute with a higher towing capacity? Upgrading vehicles can come at a cost so it is best to get it right from the start.
Define vehicle usage for fuel based decisions
Understanding the main vehicle usage will determine which fuel type is most relevant for your vehicle. Therefore you should consider:
- What type of roads (urban or highway) you will be driving on
- The length of journeys you will be driving
- How often the journeys will be made
Diesel vehicles are most economic when used predominantly for long journeys on motorways and highways. This is why diesel is the preferred choice of fuel for commercial vehicles. Petrol vehicles can have an economic benefit when using them for regular short journeys. Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are ideal for stop/start urban journeys but can be inefficient for longer or motorway drives.
Resale Value
An important factor to consider when choosing a new vehicle or fleet is the resale value. With Toyota Access, at the time of purchasing your vehicle, you secure a guaranteed future sale value of your vehicle if you sell it back to Toyota.
A lot of the overall whole-life cost can be reduced if the resale value is high. For instance a diesel HiLux or HiAce will keep a higher resale value than cheaper option vehicles as you can guarantee the quality of each individual part remaining high. The vehicle’s brand image is also an important factor, what will people think of your vehicle?
Toyota Fleets on the Sunshine Coast
The Fleet team at Sunshine Toyota can confidently tailor a package to suit your fleet requirements and are on-hand to advise and assist you every step of the way. If you would like to chat to our fleet specialist, Scott McGuigan click here. To check out or fleet options click here.