For many companies, a business car is more than just a means of transport. It is a calling card, a work tool and an important part of employee retention. But what criteria should be considered when selecting business cars and strategically building a company fleet? This guide shows what companies should look out for and what questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a company fleet.
Why are company cars so important to businesses?
Is a company car really just about mobility? Not quite. For many companies, company cars are a strategic tool – they combine representation, efficiency and employee retention in one.
A company car represents professionalism and reliability to customers and shapes a company’s external image. Those who reliably reach business partners and arrive in a modern vehicle convey reliability, success and style.
At the same time, company cars increase efficiency and flexibility in everyday work. They enable employees to attend appointments regardless of time and place, take on spontaneous customer appointments and coordinate projects smoothly.
In addition, company cars are an important factor in employee retention. An attractive company car can be just as motivating for skilled workers as a bonus – or even a decisive advantage when choosing an employer.
What are the goals of companies with company cars?
Before a company considers specific models or financing options, it is worth asking one question: What exactly is the company car intended to achieve?
- Is the fleet primarily intended to be representative and strengthen the brand image?
- Is it about making field staff flexible and comfortable on the move?
- Or are sustainability and CO₂ reduction the main priorities?
Defining these objectives is particularly important because it influences all further decisions. This starts with the type of vehicle, continues with the size of the company fleet and ends with the form of financing.
Purchase or lease: which financing option is better?
One of the most important questions: should a company buy or lease business cars?
- Purchase: buying a car builds long-term assets and allows you to sell it again after a few years. However, a purchase ties up capital that may be needed elsewhere in the company.
- Leasing: Leasing offers more flexibility and preserves liquidity. Monthly instalments are predictable, and at the end of the contract, the vehicle can easily be replaced with a newer model.
Which option you should choose depends largely on your business strategy. Do you want to build long-term ownership or would you rather be able to respond flexibly to new technologies such as electric mobility?
How can a company fleet be optimally organised?
Company cars are not an end in themselves. Without clear rules, the company fleet can quickly become a cost factor that reduces efficiency. Companies should therefore establish binding guidelines for their use.
Here are some questions that can help:
- Who is allowed to use the company car – only during working hours or also privately?
- Is there a uniform brand and model range for the fleet, or does each employee decide individually?
- How are damage, maintenance and cleaning regulated?
Clear rules ensure transparency, avoid misunderstandings and contribute to cost certainty.
Tax advantages: What should companies bear in mind?
Company cars have not only practical but also tax implications. Those who set the right course here can save considerably.
- Depreciation on purchase: A purchased car can be depreciated over several years, which reduces the tax burden.
- Leasing instalments: In many cases, these can be deducted as business expenses.
- Electric vehicles: The reduced or even eliminated benefit in kind for electric cars is particularly attractive at present. In many countries, the monetary benefit for fully electric company cars is currently £0. This offers an enormous incentive for companies and their employees.
This raises the question: Are you already taking advantage of all the tax opportunities that company cars offer?
Digitalisation in fleet management – is it worth the investment?
Digitalised fleet management not only simplifies administration, but also reduces costs in the long term.
Modern tools can be used to automatically maintain logbooks, schedule maintenance appointments and transparently record fuel and charging costs. This saves time and minimises sources of error. Employees also benefit: they have an overview of their vehicle at all times and can manage service requests directly and digitally.
How much time and effort could your company save if fleet management were fully digital?
Electric mobility: the future or already the present?
Electric cars are no longer a topic for the future, but a central component of modern company fleets. In addition to tax advantages, they score points with a strong sustainability image and lower operating costs. Companies that rely on electric mobility demonstrate innovative spirit and take responsibility for the environment and society.
But the crucial question is: when does an electric company car really pay off?
According to AXA Switzerland, the operating costs of electric vehicles can be up to 70% lower than those of comparable combustion engines. Studies also show clear advantages in terms of CO₂ emissions – several tonnes of emissions can be saved over the entire life of the vehicle.
Although there is currently no national subsidy programme for electric vehicles in Switzerland, many cantons offer reduced motor vehicle taxes for energy-efficient models. In addition, drivers of electric cars do not pay petrol tax, which further reduces running costs. Some cantons and energy suppliers also support the switch with environmental bonuses or contributions towards charging infrastructure, which can significantly offset the purchase costs.
Why Volvo is a good choice for business cars
When considering business cars, one brand stands out: Volvo. But why is Volvo such a good fit for modern companies?
Comfort in everyday working life
Volvo understands that business cars don’t just take you from A to B, they are also your workplace and retreat. Ergonomic seats, intelligent storage space for laptops and documents, and high-quality speakers for conference calls make Volvo cars a mobile office.
Question for you: Do you want your employees to arrive stressed out on business trips? Or would you rather they arrive rested and prepared?
Safety without compromise
Volvo stands for safety like no other brand. Thousands of real-world crash tests have resulted in systems that provide the best possible protection for occupants and other road users. For companies in particular, this means less risk and more confidence.
Sustainability & electromobility
With its fully electric models, Volvo offers an answer to the most pressing questions of our time. No CO₂ emissions, intelligent overnight charging, tax advantages through reduced benefits in kind: here, economy is combined with responsibility.
Smart management
The Volvo Cars app makes company cars more suitable for everyday use. Logbook, service planning, maintenance: everything is digital and efficient. This means that fleet management is not a burden, but a competitive advantage.
Fleet management as a strategic success factor
Those who use company cars wisely gain a competitive advantage. Instead of viewing the fleet solely as a cost factor, it is worth considering it as an investment: in employee satisfaction, brand image and sustainability.
However, there is one question you should ask yourself: how much potential does your company fleet have? And are you already exploiting it to the full?
Company cars with prospects – together with Hüsser & Palkoska
Company cars are more than just a means to an end. They influence your image, increase efficiency, boost employee loyalty and offer tax opportunities. With a clear strategy, having your own company fleet can really pay off.
Whether you’re buying or leasing, combustion engine or electric, single car or fleet: at Hüsser & Palkoska, we are happy to support you in all these decisions. With experience, market knowledge and personal advice. So that your company car not only drives, but also takes your business further.
Choose company cars that suit your business, such as the fully electric Volvo EX30 for urban mobility, the versatile Volvo XC40 Recharge as an efficient fleet vehicle or the elegant Volvo V60 for comfortable long distances.
This way, your company car becomes not just a tool, but a driver of sustainable success – with Hüsser & Palkoska as your reliable partner at your side.
