A fleet manager’s guide to corporate fleet vehicles

What is a corporate fleet vehicle?

Corporate fleet vehicles are essential assets owned or leased by businesses to support their operations, including transportation, delivery, and service tasks. Corporate fleet vehicles are only used for business purposes and are not personal vehicles. For this reason, these vehicles play a critical role for both small businesses and large enterprises across industries such as logistics, healthcare, and construction, enabling efficient movement of goods and personnel.

By strategically managing their fleet cars, companies can improve productivity, reduce expenses, and enhance customer service. Effective fleet management involves selecting the right vehicles, ensuring proper vehicle usage, implementing maintenance programs, and leveraging telematics for real-time insights.

Corporate fleet vehicles are critical tools for success, especially as businesses navigate complex supply chains and evolving customer demands. Investing in a well-managed fleet of company cars can give organizations a competitive edge and solve many business needs, such as delivering goods and services more efficiently, responding to emergencies promptly, and maintaining a professional brand image on the road.

Types of corporate fleet vehicles

Corporate fleets can include a diverse range of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, heavy-duty trucks, and electric vehicles (EVs). The composition of a fleet of vehicles varies by industry and business needs. For example, logistics companies may prioritize trucks for transporting goods, while sales organizations may prefer other automotive options such as sedans or SUVs for client visits.

Fleet electrification is also becoming a viable option for corporate fleet cars, with more companies integrating EVs to meet sustainability goals and reduce operational costs. In 2024, global light-duty EV sales hit a record 17 million (19% of new car sales), up from 15% in 2023.

EVs offer several advantages for corporate vehicles, such as lower fuel and maintenance costs, reduced emissions, and improved brand perception. However, adopting EVs also requires considerations like range limitations, charging time, and upfront investment in charging stations.

Ultimately, the optimal mix of vehicles in a corporate fleet depends on factors such as business purposes, route characteristics, budget constraints, and organizational needs. By carefully evaluating these aspects, companies can build an efficient and cost-effective fleet of company cars that support their unique business needs.

Corporate fleets play a crucial role in various industries, enabling efficient operations, service delivery, and transportation of goods and personnel. Here are how a few industries use fleet vehicles across their fleet operations:

• Logistics and transportation: Heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and vans are used to move goods efficiently across regions.

• Healthcare: Ambulances, medical vans, and mobile clinics are used to deliver timely care and transport medical supplies.

• Construction: Fleets of trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles are used to move materials, tools, and workers to job sites.

• Field services: Fleets of vehicles are used to perform on-site work in industries like HVAC, landscaping, and telecommunications.

• Utilities: Fleets of specialized vehicles are used to maintain infrastructure and respond to emergencies.

• Food and beverage: Fleets of temperature-controlled vehicles are used to deliver perishable goods and provide catering services.

• Rental companies: Fleets of vehicles are used to provide short and long-term rental cars for business and leisure travelers.

• Government agencies: Fleets of vehicles are used to support law enforcement, public works, and community services.

What are some common challenges for managing corporate fleet vehicles?

Managing a corporate fleet of vehicles comes with its own set of challenges. One of the primary challenges is the cost of fleet maintenance. Regular servicing, repairs, and unexpected breakdowns can quickly add up, leading to downtime and impacting the bottom line.

Insurance costs are another challenge. Fleet managers often need to evaluate insurance coverage and premiums alongside maintenance and fuel spend. Compliance with complex regulations, such as Hours of Service (HOS) rules, vehicle inspections, and licensing requirements, also demand attention and resources.

To address these challenges, fleet managers can consider implementing various strategies for their corporate vehicle fleet, such as:

1. Fleet management software: Organizations can leverage fleet management software to gain visibility across vehicle tracking, maintenance scheduling, ELD and HOS tracking, and driver performance, streamlining fleet operations and providing valuable insights across their corporate fleet vehicles.

2. Preventative maintenance schedules: Regular maintenance, oil changes, and proactive maintenance can help prevent costly breakdowns and extend vehicle lifespans.

3. Driver safety programs: Investing in driver training, monitoring, and safety programs can reduce accidents and lower insurance costs.

4. GPS fleet tracking: Real-time visibility into the location and utilization of your corporate fleet vehicles helps enable faster routing and dispatch, more accurate ETAs, and quicker response to service changes. It also ensures that company cars are used exclusively for business purposes and not for personal use.

Improve corporate fleet vehicle management with Samsara

Businesses looking to manage their corporate fleet more efficiently are adopting advanced fleet management technologies like Samsara. Whether it’s driver safety, cost savings, or operational efficiency, Samsara’s AI-powered technology enables businesses to transform their fleet operations. Samsara’s platform is secure, easy-to-deploy, scalable, and integrates easily with existing tools. 

To learn more about how you can improve the safety and efficiency of your corporate fleet, check out Samsara’s Fleet Management solution and speak with our team today.