What is the right image for a business vehicle?

What is the right image for a business vehicle?

Author
Discussion

spddude

Original Poster:

7 posts

167 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Hi all,

I am looking for one or two new company vehicles, but wanted some feedback about how my it might look from clients/public...

The business is Suffolk based and within the agricultural market, and currently we have two Land Rovers - a Discovery 5 and a Discovery Sport. They're both wrapped in our company branding and are great marketing tools when seen on the road.

However, from new they have both had terrible reliability, and as of December one is out of warranty, with the other following in a few months.

So time for a change, however we can't decide what to get! Despite the Land Rovers being expensive, they always get very positive feedback.

Given that it is not unusual for four or five people to do 300 miles in a day in one, and I did 600 miles on Friday in the Disco 5, we want something big and comfortable. It also has to have some weight behind it, as I sometimes do 1000 miles or so with up to half a tonne of boxes.

However, a rival to a Disco 5 could be a Porsche Cayenne - but how would a client feel seeing a couple of sales guys rock up in a new wrapped Porsche? I can't help but feel the only option is to replace with a new Land Rover with a new warranty and hope it's better than the last!



funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Micra K11.

To the masses they are a st heap. To those in the know, they command respect.

You will get the odd knowing wink.

Everyone knows JLR vehicles are st. The Micra is much more reliable.

ReaperCushions

5,951 posts

183 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
I'd go Jap in this case. Land Cruisers?

Phil Dicky

7,162 posts

262 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Pick up? VW or Merc will give you a decent looking vehicle and VAT efficient. They have all the toys the Land Rovers have better reliability and no badge stigma. Won't drive as well as the Land Rovers but are still okay. I've done over 200k in several pick up without major issues.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Nothing says you're doing all right quite like a land rover, how else would a) you afford to buy it in the first and b) afford the repairs bills.

Seriously what do your customers drive? If they drive Land Rovers you can go after the sympathy customer. I suspect a Porsche might make them wonder about your prices.

blue_haddock

3,143 posts

66 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Phil Dicky said:
Pick up? VW or Merc will give you a decent looking vehicle and VAT efficient. They have all the toys the Land Rovers have better reliability and no badge stigma. Won't drive as well as the Land Rovers but are still okay. I've done over 200k in several pick up without major issues.
Or a Ford ranger wildtrack.

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all


ReaperCushions said:
I'd go Jap in this case. Land Cruisers?
+1

What about two matching Toyota FJ Cruisers? (available in the UK with low miles and RHD).

These will be highly distinctive and memorable.

They are ideal, as a concept, for the agriculture sector -- with none of posh or snooty bits of some other brands. And they are reliable.

Fuel consumption won't be that of a Transit Courier. But it's not bad for the sort of vehicle it is.


ettore

4,119 posts

251 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Extended warranty?

Flumpo

3,685 posts

72 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
I would definitely raise an eyebrow at a Porsche. Most agricultural businesses I’ve come across are either in LR or Japanese pick ups. What about the x class merc or whatever the latest Navarro is?

I’m guessing you’re not willing to gamble in the new defender?!

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
Micra K11.

To the masses they are a st heap. To those in the know, they command respect.

You will get the odd knowing wink.

Everyone knows JLR vehicles are st. The Micra is much more reliable.
I think you might have replied to the wrong thread.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
DoubleD said:
I think you might have replied to the wrong thread.
Nope. hehe

A K11 is a step up from a Land Rover.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Phil Dicky said:
Pick up? VW or Merc will give you a decent looking vehicle and VAT efficient. They have all the toys the Land Rovers have better reliability and no badge stigma. Won't drive as well as the Land Rovers but are still okay. I've done over 200k in several pick up without major issues.
Aren't pick ups driven by thugs?

Phil Dicky

7,162 posts

262 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
Phil Dicky said:
Pick up? VW or Merc will give you a decent looking vehicle and VAT efficient. They have all the toys the Land Rovers have better reliability and no badge stigma. Won't drive as well as the Land Rovers but are still okay. I've done over 200k in several pick up without major issues.
Aren't pick ups driven by thugs?
Of course...according to other threads on here....Range Rovers by idiots....BMWs by knobs... Mercs..drug dealers....Lexus slipper wearing old men. Vauxhalls...chavs etc etc smile

NickGRhodes

1,291 posts

71 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

209 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
Phil Dicky said:
Pick up? VW or Merc will give you a decent looking vehicle and VAT efficient. They have all the toys the Land Rovers have better reliability and no badge stigma. Won't drive as well as the Land Rovers but are still okay. I've done over 200k in several pick up without major issues.
Aren't pick ups driven by thugs?
Warrior, Barbarian or Animal?

Pickups are the weapons of choice for the hard of thinking, meathead bodybuilders and mouthbreathers with severe anger management issues here in the neighbouring Essex Badlands.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
DoubleD said:
I think you might have replied to the wrong thread.
Nope. hehe

A K11 is a step up from a Land Rover.
I may be due one of those woosh things, but im not sure why you are commenting on this thread.

unsprung

5,467 posts

123 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
NickGRhodes said:
hehe

Traveling in a direct line, perpendicular to roads and railways, and right across people's properties.

"Here we are! Never mind those twin gullies we've left behind. We've come to deliver your ag products."


Glasgowrob

3,232 posts

120 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
i think if your in ag sales it has to be landrover of some sort new defender worth a shout?

their new and distinctive and will really stand out wrapped in company colours

quinny100

920 posts

185 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
I used to work for a business supplying agricultural machinery 15 years ago and there seemed to be a real reverse snobbery around vehicles.

A Land Rover or anything utilitarian didn’t draw any attention or comment, regardless of how much it cost, but turn up in a 5 series or an E Class and you’d almost universally be accused of making too much money out of them! I think Land Rover find favour because they’re British.

I definitely wouldn’t go near a Porsche working in that industry if you’re dealing directly with farmers.

The Q7 50 TDi is a lovely thing for long distance travel as a driver or passenger.


AndrewCrown

2,280 posts

113 months

Monday 18th November 2019
quotequote all
Glasgowrob said:
i think if your in ag sales it has to be landrover of some sort new defender worth a shout?

their new and distinctive and will really stand out wrapped in company colours
+1 Stick with Land Rovers