When private cars for commercial use is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is Del Trotter selling hooky goods out of the back door of his three-wheel Reliant Robin. It will come as no surprise that the fictional Peckham wheeler dealer isn’t the only one to use his personal vehicle for trading purposes. Throughout the UK, many industries put the car to its test in aiding day to day business.
Throughout this article, we look at the different cars which act as vital cogs in the commercial process.
Sales
For a sales representative, the choice whether to take the option of company car can be complex enough due to the heavy taxation. If you do opt to go down that route though, where do you place your bets? Again, just like the taxi-driver, the sales rep will undoubtedly be racking up miles for fun, therefore a diesel automatically stands out.
The VW Passat BlueMotion TDI can offer a realistic return of 60mpg when driven sensibly, placing it highly amongst those in the business. Recently however, the Hybrid Toyota Prius has seen a sprout in popularity, perhaps due to its innovative design or a renewed sense of environmental conscience throughout their owners.
The travel industry
Unlike the short trips carried out by delivery drivers, when a cab driver pulls up to pick up their fare, the distance to drop off could range from the next street to crossing three county borders. With this in mind, comfort and dependency rank highly on a taxi-driver’s list of priorities when shopping around for their latest car.
Buying a diesel car for personal use can often be slightly daunting due to the larger initial outlay and the fact each time you pull up at the pump you’re reminded that petrol is about five pence cheaper. When high mileage is a certainty though, diesel engines prove their worth and repay your trust, proving more economical and ultimately more reliable, particularly once the milestones on the clock begin to replicate.
For this reason, the Skoda Octavia has established itself as a strong choice for cabbies all throughout the world. However, Skoda’s newest project, the Superb, was named as Carzone’s Best Car for Taxi Drivers 2018., The superb is starting to win the hearts of those behind the wheel, offering everything its sister model does, but with additional comfort and at a reasonable price. Regardless, one simply cannot ignore the sheer popularity of Mercedes E-Class, which over the past thirty years has remained a firm favourite within the taxi business.
The food industry
In years gone by the weapon of choice for fast-food delivery drivers was the 50cc scooter. Equipped with go faster stripes, a top box capable of carrying three medium hawaiian’s, and a seriously enhanced lack of grip in wet weather – it made a challenging job even more complex. Fortunately, for those brave souls spending their evenings servicing our takeaway needs, there’s a new kid on the block.
The Smart ForTwo Eq, the latest development launched by Smart Car, certainly packs a punch – helping drivers deliver your dinner as opposed to taking your lunch money. But why are drivers in London choosing the electric option as opposed to the trusty moped? Cheap insurance, a bypass on congestion charges, and a positive impact on the environment, need we say more.
Granted, the ForTwo Eq may not be competing against the super cars of the world; but regular charging points dotted around major towns and cities throughout the UK and the added luxury of keeping dry mean it is taking off as the chosen companion for delivery drivers.
Now, leaving the day to day taxi service behind, we must consider the luxurious chauffer driven options. Uber has raised the bar for taxis, as budget bids to compete with class. If, as a chauffer you’re not going to be carting about celebrities 24/7, you will be looking for a vehicle that appeals to a wider client base. The Audi A4 holds its own as a multi-purpose vehicle, with its upgraded S-Line version plating up a good serving power, whilst similarly staying within the affordable boundaries.
Perhaps A-C listers are going to be gracing your presence on a daily basis, and if so, the king of all luxury cars, the Rolls Royce Phantom, deserves a full dose of consideration. Described as the most luxurious and elegant method of travel, its sleek leather interior provides an experience like no other.
By following the saying, we suggest that dogs are a man’s best friend, however from this article it would be hard to disagree that cars are a long way behind. The commercial industry relies heavily on the automotive sector, as it provides men and women across the UK with the motorised capabilities to fulfill their day to day roles.
But surely within the next few years we are bound to see an increase in the amount of EV’s (Electrical Vehicles) being used for commercial purposes, as already seen with the Smart EQ. We don’t know what the future might hold in the development of driverless vehicles, which could be delivering our takeaway meals and online orders before we know it.
