The right car choice is important when it comes to your business image, particularly as a small business. Whether you’re picking cars for a select number of employees or it’s your first company car for the business, there are some decisions to make that are influential for your company’s brand image.

In this guide, you’ll learn why company cars are important and how to choose a vehicle that aligns with your identity as a business.

First impressions don’t stop at your logo

First impressions aren’t just about the logo. They go far beyond the login, in fact, and range from user experience to consistency of brand values at all touchpoints.

A strong first impression can build trust and emotion, while a weak one can lead to problems within the business, as well as lost opportunities.

What’s included in a brand’s first impression?

  • User experience – A website that seamlessly functions from one page to the next.
  • Emotional connection – Design evokes excitement, trust, curiosity, and fosters loyalty.
  • Consistency – Alignment of brand elements ensures a unified and professional message across all of your company platforms.
  • Motion – Dynamic elements that capture the attention of your audience, rather than just static visuals.

Choosing vehicles that align with your professional identity

Vehicles are an extension of your business branding, which is why it’s important to choose the right one for defining brand image and professional business identity.

To choose the right vehicle, here are some helpful tips worth knowing.

Define your image

What are you looking to achieve with your company image? Are you projecting luxury or practicality? Perhaps you’re environmentally conscious. There are plenty of different vehicles out there, so whether it’s the Hyundai i20 or something different, you want to pick the right car for your company image.

Consider your operations

The operations in which your business carries out every day are important when considering the type of company car or vehicle you invest your money into.

Match the type to the purpose

The type of car you choose needs to match what you need as a business. For example, some cars are going to be best for commuting employees going from one meeting to the next, whereas trucks and vans might be more suitable for cargo, etc.

Consider brand reputation

Brand reputation is also influential, so while some car brands might be lucrative or appealing to the business, they might not match up with their reputation.

Ensure consistency 

Consistency is important when it comes to appearance as a business. A fleet can help to build trust, brand recognition, and professionalism.

Keep the vehicle maintained

Make sure to keep the vehicle maintained at all times, protecting it from damage and regularly cleaning the car or vehicle in question.

When practicality beats prestige

Practicality is often going to trump prestige, so it’s worth taking a look at the practicalities of what you need and how much you can invest into the prestige element of the vehicles you’re looking at to purchase.