How to Buy New Vehicles That Will Hold Up for a Company Fleet

If selecting a new car or truck is challenging, choosing an entire fleet of vehicles can be a headache. We’re going to help by outlining the key features you need to consider if you want to buy new vehicles that will last as part of your company fleet.

Think About How the Fleet Will Be Used

Make a realistic assessment of how you intend to use the fleet. For example, if your business requires transporting passengers to and from the airport, consider a few points. How many passengers and how much luggage will you need to carry on one trip to make a profit? Your answer will determine seating and storage space.

Check a Model’s Reputation

Check reputable sources for reliability, such as J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. Concentrate on the issues relevant to your circumstances.

Are there helpful trade magazines or websites devoted to your industry? If so, they may include either formal reviews about certain fleet vehicles or at least anecdotal evidence regarding some makes and models.

Look for Commercial Models

Commercial vehicles are likely to offer more dependable service when compared to their consumer version. Generally, they have tougher engines, transmissions, and suspensions.

Try for Uniformity

If possible, limit your fleet to one model. If that’s not possible, try to stay within the same family of vehicles.

Having identical or similar vehicles makes it easier for your employees. They won’t have to hunt for the turn signal or windshield wiper control every time they drive a different vehicle.

If you have an in-house vehicle maintenance department, it will also appreciate a one-model fleet. The mechanics can focus their time and attention on getting familiar with only one type of vehicle instead of several.

Research Safety Ratings

A safer, more comfortable driver is more productive—and less likely to damage your asset. Safe vehicles tend to last longer as their features help prevent collisions.

Look for vehicles with automated warning systems alerting drivers that they’re drifting out of their lane. Other helpful safety features include blind spot monitoring, forward and rear collision prevention alerts, and sleepy driver warnings.

Calculate Fuel Costs

Do you want to have a fleet of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, or are you leaning toward hybrids or all-electric vehicles? Do research to understand how accessible the parts are for each. If the engine needs servicing from a specialty shop, what’s the expected turnaround time for repairs?

Will you save money on fuel with one particular vehicle? Are there any tax breaks for choosing an environmentally-friendly vehicle? Is there enough data to indicate that a certain car or truck makes a reliable fleet vehicle? It may be too risky to be an early adopter.

Factor in Customization Options

How much customization will you need to make to create a vehicle that ideally suits your purposes? Is there one vehicle more than another that lends itself to that sort of modification? Verify that the changes won’t void your warranty.

You can make the right choice for your company fleet if you take your time, do research, and ask yourself basic questions. Consider how you will use the vehicle, its reputation, its safety features, and its type of engine and fuel. And remember, it's often best to select a commercial vehicle and then build your fleet around that one model.