Whenever you look to develop a commercial fleet, there are a host options that you can use to drive down costs and enhance your business. One of the most important is the choice between leasing and purchasing vehicles, as this impacts on both short and long-term costs and will influence the way in which you deploy your fleet. There are also various advantages and pitfalls associated with both, so you will need to give consideration to these before making a final decision.
Buying Your Commercial Vehicles: The Benefits of this and Advice for Best Practice
If you intend to buy your commercial fleet, for example, it is important to consider the benefits of this and develop an understanding of how to achieve the most competitive deal. One of the most prominent advantages is the potential discounts available, especially when you partner with a proactive firm such as Orange Wheels and make a firm commitment to buy in bulk if necessary. If you conduct thorough market research and prioritise firms that are open to discounting price points, there is also an opportunity to negotiate aggressively and drive additional savings.
The ownership of your commercial fleet and individual models also brings additional benefits, as it affords you flexibility when embellishing each car and incorporating relevant branding. When you lease vehicles from a private firm or outlet, you will be forced to adhere to a strict code of conduct and ensure that they are kept as close to their original condition as possible. Having the option to brand your vehicles can offer huge advantages, however, especially when meeting with potential clients and attempting to engage future customers. By branding your commercial fleet with key messaging, it is also possible to turn your cars into effective mobile marketing tools.
The Last Word: Best Practice when Buying Commercial Vehicles
By carefully selecting dealers, negotiating aggressively and branding the newly purchased vehicles within your fleet, it is possible to take ownership of your fleet and capitalise on your initial investment. To benefit completely, however, you will also need to refine your business model to account for future costs such as pre-planned maintenance, fuel consumption and unscheduled repair work. This is why it remains crucial that you achieve the best possible deal in the first instance and aggressively pursue discounts, as cars tend to depreciate as financial assets and potential losses can be huge if you are not proactive on your approach.
Cover photo credit: Pete Edgeler / Flickr
