Attitudes to company cars
Discussion
I know things have moved in, with PCP etc., but do people still think like this?
‘It’s disappointing it doesn’t have a CD badge on the back as otherwise it looks like an Astra’.
I do remember this programme from back in the day, with the guy who got a Maestro Diesel Clubman, but bloody hell.
Do company car drivers still have this ‘competition’ amongst each other, and do companies still ‘reward’ or ‘punish’ people in this way?
https://youtu.be/Dh359S3Eg1U?si=9f8ZLKQ7ck3AHJot
‘It’s disappointing it doesn’t have a CD badge on the back as otherwise it looks like an Astra’.
I do remember this programme from back in the day, with the guy who got a Maestro Diesel Clubman, but bloody hell.
Do company car drivers still have this ‘competition’ amongst each other, and do companies still ‘reward’ or ‘punish’ people in this way?
https://youtu.be/Dh359S3Eg1U?si=9f8ZLKQ7ck3AHJot
I think that these days, with it being more common for employees to get an allowance rather than being 'issued' a car from the fleet manager, the make/model/trim level of your company car is less closely tied to attainment, status and standing than it was in the days of A to B.
Back when everyone in the business drove a Ford and it was Escorts for juniors, Cortinas for reps/middle managers and Granadas for executives, every extra initial on the boot badge, every gizmo and every extra counted.
These days car ranges are much less structured and 'laddered', premium marques and models are more accessible, the practical difference (in performance, comfort etc.) between a base model and a luxury model is much less stark and cars are generally less of a status symbol than they were.
Corporate reward structures are different these days as well - in the days of pay caps and inflation restraint policies company cars were literally given in lieu of salary so getting a Maestro diesel was much more of a slap in the face than getting the modern equivalent would be.
Back when everyone in the business drove a Ford and it was Escorts for juniors, Cortinas for reps/middle managers and Granadas for executives, every extra initial on the boot badge, every gizmo and every extra counted.
These days car ranges are much less structured and 'laddered', premium marques and models are more accessible, the practical difference (in performance, comfort etc.) between a base model and a luxury model is much less stark and cars are generally less of a status symbol than they were.
Corporate reward structures are different these days as well - in the days of pay caps and inflation restraint policies company cars were literally given in lieu of salary so getting a Maestro diesel was much more of a slap in the face than getting the modern equivalent would be.
As above I’m seeing the death of company cars as a perk and more people going down the salary sacrifice lease route.
What I did encounter recently is a ‘white van man/pick up’ pecking order. All very emotional and dramatic if someone got a slightly higher spec or slightly bigger one than someone else. Always thought this was a salesmen thing but I’ve seen grown men throw full on wobblers over a colleague having a bigger pickup
What I did encounter recently is a ‘white van man/pick up’ pecking order. All very emotional and dramatic if someone got a slightly higher spec or slightly bigger one than someone else. Always thought this was a salesmen thing but I’ve seen grown men throw full on wobblers over a colleague having a bigger pickup
I don't think it's surprising to be honest, and yes it very much still exists, just replace the 'CD' with a Mercedes badge for the same effect.
It's a simple status signifier, which is important to many people as status is a proxy for suitability as a mate. Higher status is in effect more attractive than lower status. Even if you are not looking to attract, most people want to be more attractive (even if only subconsciously).
Whether people understand that or not matters little, the basic fundamental is that for many, their self image and self worth may well be rooted in what (they think) other people think of them. It's why branding has always been important, it simply conveys importance and status.
So having the model of car 'befitting your status' in a social group is actually pretty easy to explain as important.
However, I would think that talking about how important your own status is, and getting snobby about the badge, undermines all that and is the behaviour of someone who is trying to be high status. So wanting the CD model isn't surprising, talking about it openly and complaining about the lack of badging probably is.
Then of course, there is the "I don't care what people think" crowd, which never really rings as authentic. They probably want the CD badge the most, but recognise how that looks to others....
It's a simple status signifier, which is important to many people as status is a proxy for suitability as a mate. Higher status is in effect more attractive than lower status. Even if you are not looking to attract, most people want to be more attractive (even if only subconsciously).
Whether people understand that or not matters little, the basic fundamental is that for many, their self image and self worth may well be rooted in what (they think) other people think of them. It's why branding has always been important, it simply conveys importance and status.
So having the model of car 'befitting your status' in a social group is actually pretty easy to explain as important.
However, I would think that talking about how important your own status is, and getting snobby about the badge, undermines all that and is the behaviour of someone who is trying to be high status. So wanting the CD model isn't surprising, talking about it openly and complaining about the lack of badging probably is.
Then of course, there is the "I don't care what people think" crowd, which never really rings as authentic. They probably want the CD badge the most, but recognise how that looks to others....
Being a company car driver from 2002 until recently, I can say that the allowance seems more common place.
I'm looking at a new role and unless you want to contribute to the car, you can get a MG Electric or an ID3, or take £7200 car allowance.
This on a job paying £80k plus
10 15 years ago, I was speccing M Sport 3 series to be repping around the UK, thought I was invincible
I used to be looking at the company car list even if I was years off ordering, now I just take the money and it doesn't really bother me.
I'm looking at a new role and unless you want to contribute to the car, you can get a MG Electric or an ID3, or take £7200 car allowance.
This on a job paying £80k plus
10 15 years ago, I was speccing M Sport 3 series to be repping around the UK, thought I was invincible
I used to be looking at the company car list even if I was years off ordering, now I just take the money and it doesn't really bother me.
My last companies policy was based purely on list price and changed every 3 years or 50k miles so from 1987 up until 1997 I had
BMW 320i
Saab 900 Turbo
Golf VR6
Subaru Impreza Turbo
They were all for work and private use, fully financed by the company and cost me less than £100 tax per month doing on average 30k miles a year, most of that private use.
How things have changed.
BMW 320i
Saab 900 Turbo
Golf VR6
Subaru Impreza Turbo
They were all for work and private use, fully financed by the company and cost me less than £100 tax per month doing on average 30k miles a year, most of that private use.
How things have changed.
By coincidence I was thinking about this whilst walking the dog this morning.
When I was growing up nearly everyone s dad had a company car, mostly either Ford or Vauxhall, with a few Austin Rovers thrown in for good measure. My dad worked for the civil service so a company car was never going to happen, which as a 10 year old really pissed me off.
As I started work as a surveyor, company car culture was very much in existence and something I was looking forward to. The first firm I worked at had quite an eclectic range which I could use if they were free, including Peugeot 205XS and Gti, Alfa 33, BMW ti Compact, Saab 9000 turbo and even a Range Rover.
When my time came it was just as the German marques were taking over, and there became a hierarchy for a number of years of:
Newly qualified - Golf
Associate - Golf GTI/ Audi A3
Partner - BMW 3 series/ Golf VR6
These days a company car isn t even an option, just a car allowance. Tax plays a big part, unless it s an EV it would be stupid to take an ICE company car.
Edit re tax, it would be £550 per month for an Audi A5 TDi, vs £151 per month for a A5 hybrid, or £51 per month for a Q4 electric.
When I was growing up nearly everyone s dad had a company car, mostly either Ford or Vauxhall, with a few Austin Rovers thrown in for good measure. My dad worked for the civil service so a company car was never going to happen, which as a 10 year old really pissed me off.
As I started work as a surveyor, company car culture was very much in existence and something I was looking forward to. The first firm I worked at had quite an eclectic range which I could use if they were free, including Peugeot 205XS and Gti, Alfa 33, BMW ti Compact, Saab 9000 turbo and even a Range Rover.
When my time came it was just as the German marques were taking over, and there became a hierarchy for a number of years of:
Newly qualified - Golf
Associate - Golf GTI/ Audi A3
Partner - BMW 3 series/ Golf VR6
These days a company car isn t even an option, just a car allowance. Tax plays a big part, unless it s an EV it would be stupid to take an ICE company car.
Edit re tax, it would be £550 per month for an Audi A5 TDi, vs £151 per month for a A5 hybrid, or £51 per month for a Q4 electric.
Edited by soxboy on Friday 20th June 15:01
I remember my dad coming home with a brand new Sierra in 1987 (E839 VWF). He was a bit gutted as it was only the 'L' model but he had the choice of that, a Cavalier or a Nissan Bluebird. He had various company cars until setting up his own business in the mid 90's.
Me personally worked as a car salesman for around 2-3 years in the late noughties. I genuinly didn't care what they gave me as it wasn't mine anyway but a lot of the others used to get really pissy if someone else ended up with a nicer car than them. I went through a phase of just taking whatever part-ex had fuel in that evening but the management put a stop to that one.
The worst one I had was a Chevrolet Matiz which my manager awarded me as a result of a poor month's sales figures. I remember parking it in a supermarket trolley bay and sending him a photo as retaliation
Me personally worked as a car salesman for around 2-3 years in the late noughties. I genuinly didn't care what they gave me as it wasn't mine anyway but a lot of the others used to get really pissy if someone else ended up with a nicer car than them. I went through a phase of just taking whatever part-ex had fuel in that evening but the management put a stop to that one.
The worst one I had was a Chevrolet Matiz which my manager awarded me as a result of a poor month's sales figures. I remember parking it in a supermarket trolley bay and sending him a photo as retaliation
KarlMac said:
As above I m seeing the death of company cars as a perk and more people going down the salary sacrifice lease route.
What I did encounter recently is a white van man/pick up pecking order. All very emotional and dramatic if someone got a slightly higher spec or slightly bigger one than someone else. Always thought this was a salesmen thing but I ve seen grown men throw full on wobblers over a colleague having a bigger pickup
Company car or salary sacrifice surely no difference? People will still be competing on if they have a "LX" or a "Ghia" What I did encounter recently is a white van man/pick up pecking order. All very emotional and dramatic if someone got a slightly higher spec or slightly bigger one than someone else. Always thought this was a salesmen thing but I ve seen grown men throw full on wobblers over a colleague having a bigger pickup
TX.
I would imagine a young car lover still living with their parents would have more disposable car funds than another colleague who earns twice their salary but has a big mortgage, kids etc.
When I worked in an industry with a car allowance, you could top it up from your own pocket should you wish, or pos jet the difference if you wanted a cheaper car. The parents were knocking around in a Golf 1.6 whereas the younger folk with disposable income were playing with the GTI and R32 variants.
When I worked in an industry with a car allowance, you could top it up from your own pocket should you wish, or pos jet the difference if you wanted a cheaper car. The parents were knocking around in a Golf 1.6 whereas the younger folk with disposable income were playing with the GTI and R32 variants.
We had a list you could choose from, above a certain point you had to make a contribution to get something more to your liking, it was seen as quite an attractive perk.
First day in the job, I got the list, bloody hell, I was like a kid in a sweet shop a smorgasbord of motoring nirvana awaited me, I spent the next couple of days carefully perusing the list.
Decision made, I submitted my request for approval, only to be told the area manager (who wasn’t interested in cars) didn’t really like anyone having a car, he perceived superior to his own.
His car, Vauxhall Carlton 1.8L.
First day in the job, I got the list, bloody hell, I was like a kid in a sweet shop a smorgasbord of motoring nirvana awaited me, I spent the next couple of days carefully perusing the list.
Decision made, I submitted my request for approval, only to be told the area manager (who wasn’t interested in cars) didn’t really like anyone having a car, he perceived superior to his own.
His car, Vauxhall Carlton 1.8L.
When I came to chose my first company car, my initial choice was a Peugeot 206GTi but that was judged too boy racer. The next one was an Audi A3 (Sport with CD player and alloys or SE with air con) but that was refused due to a snivelling colleague complaining who had already got his car and was jealous.
So I ended up with a mk4 Golf 1.6SE, X159ANC. It had a CD changer and air con, so that annoyed everyone else. No alloys, just the highest profile tyres I’ve ever seen on a car.
So I ended up with a mk4 Golf 1.6SE, X159ANC. It had a CD changer and air con, so that annoyed everyone else. No alloys, just the highest profile tyres I’ve ever seen on a car.
Just to update this 2025 style!
If your Tesla Model 3 turns up with the short range battery, in white, with the 18" wheel trims, you better believe your going to be annoyed and jealous of your college with the Long Range, in Metallic Paint with the 19" alloys!
You would be livid, no?
Am I doing this right, lol?
If your Tesla Model 3 turns up with the short range battery, in white, with the 18" wheel trims, you better believe your going to be annoyed and jealous of your college with the Long Range, in Metallic Paint with the 19" alloys!
You would be livid, no?
Am I doing this right, lol?
I had multiple company cars working for various Car companies. I kind of had the best of it as the cars were changed 3 monthly and I got taxed based on the loan value which was set at a significantly discounted rate.
Downside was being limited to the range, not too much of a problem when I was at bmw, but disappointing a Nissan. (Although actually did like their products).
However I prefer not having a car or indeed car allowance . I can buy what I want and keep more of my take home pay.
The car companies use it as a way to not pay you as much. But if you want to buy a house saying your salary package included a car doesn’t count for much.
Downside was being limited to the range, not too much of a problem when I was at bmw, but disappointing a Nissan. (Although actually did like their products).
However I prefer not having a car or indeed car allowance . I can buy what I want and keep more of my take home pay.
The car companies use it as a way to not pay you as much. But if you want to buy a house saying your salary package included a car doesn’t count for much.
soxboy said:
When I came to chose my first company car, my initial choice was a Peugeot 206GTi but that was judged too boy racer. The next one was an Audi A3 (Sport with CD player and alloys or SE with air con) but that was refused due to a snivelling colleague complaining who had already got his car and was jealous.
So I ended up with a mk4 Golf 1.6SE, X159ANC. It had a CD changer and air con, so that annoyed everyone else. No alloys, just the highest profile tyres I ve ever seen on a car.
We had some mk4s on the fleet and I’m sure the tyre profile was into triple figures! Probably made the ride rival a luxury suv these days. So I ended up with a mk4 Golf 1.6SE, X159ANC. It had a CD changer and air con, so that annoyed everyone else. No alloys, just the highest profile tyres I ve ever seen on a car.
jonwm said:
Being a company car driver from 2002 until recently, I can say that the allowance seems more common place.
I'm looking at a new role and unless you want to contribute to the car, you can get a MG Electric or an ID3, or take £7200 car allowance.
This on a job paying £80k plus
10 15 years ago, I was speccing M Sport 3 series to be repping around the UK, thought I was invincible
I used to be looking at the company car list even if I was years off ordering, now I just take the money and it doesn't really bother me.
Very similar to me, I know a man can't step in the same river twice, it used to be an exciting perk and by far the part of my job I took the most time and care over (choosing my next car). I'm looking at a new role and unless you want to contribute to the car, you can get a MG Electric or an ID3, or take £7200 car allowance.
This on a job paying £80k plus
10 15 years ago, I was speccing M Sport 3 series to be repping around the UK, thought I was invincible
I used to be looking at the company car list even if I was years off ordering, now I just take the money and it doesn't really bother me.
Either I've grown too old, or new cars (at least the ones on leasing lists) are way less exciting than they used to be, or some combo of the two.
Stupot123 said:
Just to update this 2025 style!
If your Tesla Model 3 turns up with the short range battery, in white, with the 18" wheel trims, you better believe your going to be annoyed and jealous of your college with the Long Range, in Metallic Paint with the 19" alloys!
You would be livid, no?
Am I doing this right, lol?
LOL. A couple of weeks ago as I pulled out of the car park at the Oxford M40 services there were seven white Model 3s lined up at the Tesla chargers. The very definition of automotive white goods.If your Tesla Model 3 turns up with the short range battery, in white, with the 18" wheel trims, you better believe your going to be annoyed and jealous of your college with the Long Range, in Metallic Paint with the 19" alloys!
You would be livid, no?
Am I doing this right, lol?
I got my first (and only) company car in the Spring of 1992.
My employer was in a poor financial state in the summer and sure enough by Christmas I was redundant so had to return it by the New Year.
Next time I qualified for one I took the car allowance and interest free loan, and got a better car than anything on their list!
My employer was in a poor financial state in the summer and sure enough by Christmas I was redundant so had to return it by the New Year.
Next time I qualified for one I took the car allowance and interest free loan, and got a better car than anything on their list!
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