Whatever the kind of business you run, whether it’s a restaurant, a retail store, or a courier service, you know you can’t get anything done without the use of a business car or truck. How else are you going to transport goods and make your deliveries? Having a business car affords you flexibility and convenience, two things that are in short supply in the world of commerce.
You might be thinking, “I already have a car. Why do I need to get another one for my business?” But your auto insurance won’t cover accidents while the car is used for business purposes, which leaves you personally liable for the damages. The pros of having a business car outweigh the cons, and if you’re really serious about growing your business, you need to give it all the advantages you possibly can.
Of course, that also means you’re on the hook for repairs and maintenance. When it comes to vehicle management, you need to be proactive to prevent problems from becoming bigger. You can get the best auto loan rates, which will save your business a lot of money, but a proactive approach also keeps maintenance costs low.
Here are a few ways to keep your business car sustainable and manageable:
Prepare ahead of time
With your personal car, you can just start the vehicle and drive off to your destination. However, working with a business car requires more preparation. You have to think about things like proper cargo weight distribution and planning routes. To make your life easier, consider investing in digital solutions. Technology can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.
For instance, when planning a route, you can use an app to calculate the best route depending on travel times, traffic patterns, weather, and incidents. If you have multiple destinations, you can also automate route planning and adjustment to ensure the fastest travel time possible. Some apps even push real-time weather updates so you can avoid certain areas and highways.
Let’s say you’ve automated your routes and you’re on your way to an important delivery. You receive a notification that there’s a traffic jam on your original route, so the app recalculates and gives you alternate directions, saving you time and money. Having these options saves you time and allows you to focus on more pressing business matters.
Set a budget
One of the reasons why emergency auto repairs can be devastating on our finances is we fail to budget for maintenance ahead of time. When it comes to business expenditures, you need to set a budget for everything from rent or payroll to utilities or shipments. The same goes for your business car. You need to have a budget for fuel and maintenance. You also need to be aware of the costs associated with maintenance so you’re not stuck with a shocking repair bill.
On a related note, you also need to check the insurance coverage and warranty of your business vehicles. This information will come in handy if you get into an accident or if you want to upgrade your models. Keeping a close eye on maintenance and repair allows you to make informed decisions relating to your vehicle.
Optimize for efficiency
Apart from preparation and financial management, another way you can cut down on expenses is to optimize your vehicle for efficiency. This means finding a way to get the maximum benefit with the least amount of resources. For instance, if you have to make multiple deliveries in a day, you can calculate a route that allows you to hit all your destinations on a single trip. It also helps to print out guides and instructions if you have drivers doing the deliveries for you.
When calculating the budget for transportation and logistics, take into consideration how your employees use your vehicles. If you find that you lose time and money on idle time, consider allowing your employees to use your vehicles for personal errands and lunch. That way, they won’t have to return to the garage, and they can head straight to their next destination.
These are just some ways you can sustain and manage your business vehicle. Having a proper system for managing your fleet allows you to maximize use while keeping costs down. Adopting a proactive approach when it comes to maintenance and investing in tech solutions go a long way in ensuring your car is a value-adding asset to your business.