Many businesses require company vehicles in order to offer their services, and they range from sales-based companies, landscaping firms, to electricians. Though these vehicles enable the employees to do their job, they can also become a huge hindrance when they don’t work as they should, require repairs, or are damaged. There’s also the problem of continuity and how many redundancies to build into your businesses without being financially irresponsible.
Once you graduate from your first company vehicle to having two, then three, you realize that you need a plan when it comes to your fleet – one where you gain maximum value and expose yourself to the least amount of risk.
When looking for the perfect work vehicle, consider the following:
What Need are They Fulfilling?
Before you go off and buy your seventh van, consider whether you actually need it and what you will realistically be using it for. If it’s for transporting heavy-duty equipment, you’re likely right to be looking for a van or pickup truck, but if it’s going to be used to drive around and do work quotes, you might want to look for a cheaper and more appropriate alternative.
Prioritize Versatility
When investing into company vehicles, look for versatile options that will allow you to address possible issues in the future. For example, some prefer transferable fiberglass truck bodies which insert onto fleet pickup trucks over vans. Why? Because you can buy one or two for your fleet of 3 pickup trucks and transfer between them as needed by the project your company is engaged in. It also allows you to keep the configuration of the body as it is and transfer onto a replacement vehicle if there was a problem with the initial truck it was mounted onto.
Get Similar Cars but Not the Same
A rapidly expanding business can be an exciting thing to be a part of, and knowing that you will be purchasing multiple vehicles in one year is just the cherry on top. But before you buy a fleet of twenty new trucks, consider what the scenario will look like in five or ten years. As they are all around the same age and model, things will start to degrade and break at similar times leaving you in a difficult situation. Stagger your vehicle acquisition if possible to increase the variety in your fleet, and hopefully the continuity of your operations. From a branding perspective, consistency is key, so your best bet is to stick to one make and model, and upgrade or update a few every year.
Brand Yourself
Though you might not have exactly the same vehicles, it’s important that your company is reflected in how they look, meaning that they are a consistent color with the same decals. This will help build the recognition of your brand in the local area and hopefully bring you more business.
Long Term Value
When considering the building blocks of your company vehicle fleet, remember to think long term. You want to find the perfect medium of affordability, durability, and quality. Consider the cost of maintaining the vehicles you envision, how much replacement parts will be, as well as how well they will be able to deliver on the task you need them for.
If your company vehicle fleet is expanding, it’s likely a good sign of healthy development. However, don’t let the pressure get to you. Take the time you need to make a sustainable decision that will keep you and your company profitable in the long run.