It’s not everyday you would consider getting a pickup as a company car. But pickups are actually a very valid option if you’re looking for a company car that is practical and professional.
We predict that there will be quite a few pickups that are doubling up as company cars in the future, after all, pickups are seriously upping their game when it comes to luxury.
In this article, we will give you our top 5 reasons why we think your next company car should be a pickup.
Can a pickup be a company car?
Firstly, let’s cover whether you can get a pickup as a company car. The answer is; of course you can.
However, you would ideally like to get a pickup that, under HMRC rules, counts as a van. We’ll explain why below. There are many double cab pickups that do count as vans and to be classified as a van they must have a payload of at least one tonne. This excludes the hardtop cover. This is the criteria for a vehicle being classified as a light commercial vehicle.
So, if it meets that criteria then a pickup is a very viable option for your next company car.
5 reasons why your next company car should be a pickup
Okay, now we are going to try and convince you that getting a pickup as your next company car is a good decision.
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They’re Practical
For many, company cars double up as family cars. They are used to transport kids to and from school, from football matches and sometimes, even the dog gets in on the action. So practicality is a big thing.
Therefore, a double cab pickup makes a perfect family vehicle. Naturally it can hold a lot of weight, they are spacious inside and they are perfect for taking the dog for a walk, taking your family on holiday and driving clients to meetings.
2. They are becoming increasingly more luxurious
People might be more reserved when it comes to having a pickup simply because they aren’t as luxurious. And they’re right, they aren’t going to be as nice as a Mercedes E-Class or a BMW 7 Series. But they are becoming more premium, and they are coming with tonnes of equipment.
For example, if you take the Nissan NP300 Navara; it comes with an infotainment system with sat-nav and is compatible with your smart phone. It also can come with a panoramic sunroof, dual climate control and seats that are inspired by NASA. You don’t get that in a Vauxhall Astra.
Or, the Volkswagen Amarok, which is considered the more premium pickup on offer by Volkswagen. It comes with leather interior, an infotainment system, privacy glass and heated front seats.
And we haven’t even mentioned the new Mercedes pickup which is due out this year. Considered a gamechanger in the pickup market, we don’t doubt that the Mercedes-Benz X-Class will pave the way for a new range of luxury pickups.
Having a pickup that is practical and luxurious makes it a perfect company car. You won’t have to worry about looking professional nor will you have to worry about not having enough space for your family.
3. They are taxed as vans
You know when we said pickups can be classified as vans? This is one of the biggest reasons to get a pickup and we think this will be one of the biggest reasons for their inevitable rise in popularity
Vans are taxed differently to cars when it comes to company car tax. With a company car, you have a BIK rate that varies depending on the CO2 emissions, your personal tax bracket and the P11d value of the car. However, this is not the case with vans.
Instead, you are taxed a fixed amount, which can be altered depending on a variety of things. This means that you will be paying a set amount in company car tax for your pickup, which is considerably less than if the pickup were to be taxed as a car.
This is also appealing as the new BIK rates are coming into effect soon which means that even those who have company cars that emit a low amount of CO2 will be paying more than they were before. Which is why we think that pickups will become increasingly popular, as they are only taxed a fixed amount.
For more information on company car tax for vans, you can read our article here.
4. There are quite a few options to choose from
This might be an odd reason but bear with us. The new company car tax changes mean that you will be paying more for your company car than before. This means that it might take you up and over your budget and therefore for your next company car, you have to downsize. This isn’t ideal, and definitely won’t raise morale in your company.
However, there are pickups for everyone. You can go luxurious, such as the Mitsubishi L200 that looks like a car inside but comes with heaps of safety equipment as well as a fair bit of standard equipment. Or, if you’re looking to tighten the purse strings but don’t want to compromise on space then something such as the Great Wall Pickup. It won’t break the bank but it’s practical, safe, and looks the part.
Plus, you may have noticed that there are a fair few Volkswagen Amaroks and Mitsubishi L200’s on the roads now, more than ever before. With Mercedes launching their new pickup and with the predicted rise in popularity, there will be even more pickups to choose from. So instead of having to downsize or go for a company car that just doesn’t suit you but means you save on company car tax, why not go for a pickup instead?
5. They are perfect for those who don’t want a van
A van isn’t for everyone. And there are some people who need a company vehicle that has the practicality and the payload of a van, but want something that little bit more premium and more car-like.
Which is where the pickup comes in. It can carry heavy loads all while looking plush inside. It’s practical and they look professional as well. It’s perfect for those who need a really practical vehicle but don’t want to invest in a van for whatever reason. Maybe it needs to double up as a family car as well, or perhaps you just don’t think a van is for you. Whatever the reason, a pickup is a happy medium.
So, those are our five reasons why we think your next company car should be a pickup. They are practical, they can be pretty luxurious, and they are taxed as vans. This means you could end up saving yourself a heap of money in company car tax. For more information on company car tax, you can read our article here.
