How to Get Discounts for Buying Multiple Vehicles as a Business

When a company decides to add a vehicle to its fleet, there is a multitude of ways to acquire the vehicle. Some companies visit a dealership to “kick tires” and purchase a vehicle as a retail consumer would, others let their employees choose from a dealer lot, or work with an advisor to do the heavy lifting of searching for the vehicle, and negotiating the price. While you can be successful at acquiring the vehicle you need through each of these processes, you may not be getting the best price or the best vehicle for your money.

Fleet Discounts with a Fleet Management Company

By partnering with a fleet management company, there are several pricing advantages that you will have access to. Discounts can be as much as 10-15% off each individual vehicle when you buy a certain number of vehicles in a specific model year for your business. A fleet management company will also assist you in ensuring that the vehicle you are acquiring is the appropriate vehicle for your needs, that you are getting the vehicle at the right time, and negotiating on your behalf with the manufacturer. All of which are crucial factors in getting the best price.

Additional discounts may be obtained through multiple channels that you may be unaware that your company qualifies for. These include:

• Factory Ordering: A new-vehicle order placed directly with the manufacturer by the dealer or leasing company to meet the user’s exact specifications.
• Fleet & Manufacturers Incentives: Vehicle pricing discounts on specific vehicles offered by the automakers. The automakers typically issue new incentives on an annual basis for vehicles in the next model year. Fleet incentives are offered only to designated fleet accounts as defined by the manufacturer.
• Volume Discounts: Pricing discounts are determined by manufacturers based on the number of vehicles a company will be securing throughout the model year.
• Unpublished Discounts: Pricing discounts are offered by a multitude of associations and groups that are not public knowledge.

Why Fleet Vehicles Can Cost Less

Fleet vehicles often have a lower per-unit cost due to:

• Bulk Discounts: Buying many vehicles at once leads to price reductions.
• Manufacturer Incentives: Automakers offer special deals for fleet purchases.
• Standardized Options: Less customization can lower manufacturing costs.
• Negotiating Power: Businesses buying in bulk have more leverage.

These factors combine to make fleet acquisition a more cost-effective strategy for businesses.

How many vehicles are considered a fleet?

The number of cars you must purchase to be considered a fleet will vary based on the company you purchase the vehicles from. Generally, most companies require you to purchase a minimum of 5 vehicles for them in a model to be regarded as a fleet or currently have 15 vehicles in your fleet. However, the bigger the fleet, the bigger the benefits. Speak with the company you are working with about their minimum fleet requirements before you purchase or lease vehicles.

How much does a vehicle fleet cost?

Fleet costs will depend on the number of vehicles and whether or not you choose to buy, finance, or lease them. Some companies allow you to purchase used vehicles for a lower cost. Vehicle costs could be less per month if you decide to lease.

Fuel and total cost of ownership will be your biggest consideration when choosing the vehicles you’d like to purchase. Depending on what your company plans to use the vehicles for, you may consider getting a fleet with better gas mileage for higher driving patterns.

What is Fleet Leasing?

Rather than purchasing the vehicles for your company, you can choose to lease multiple vehicles from one provider for 2-5 years. Leased vehicles are typically brand-new and may not require a down payment based on the leasing agreement. This option is the most economical and hassle-free way to obtain multiple vehicles for your business.

Establishing a Fleet Vehicle Program

A Fleet Vehicle Program outlines the key policies and procedures for managing your company’s vehicles effectively. It goes beyond just acquiring vehicles and focuses on their entire lifecycle. A well-defined program helps ensure efficiency, safety, and cost control.

Key aspects of a fleet program include:

• Fleet Vehicle Aquisition: How vehicles are selected and obtained.
• Usage Policies: Rules for who can use vehicles and how.
• Maintenance: Procedures for keeping vehicles in good repair.
• Fuel Management: Strategies for controlling fuel costs.
• Safety Protocols: Guidelines for safe vehicle operation.
• Vehicle Cycling & Remarketing: Planning when to replace older vehicles.

Implementing a clear Fleet Vehicle Program is essential for maximizing the value of your fleet investment and streamlining operations.

Advantages of Working with a Fleet Management Company

A significant advantage of working with a fleet leasing and management company is the option to lease vehicles for your company. Leasing frees up cash flow, saves on administrative time, and can potentially save a company thousands of dollars throughout the useful life of the vehicle by using best practices of life cycle management. Other advantages of leasing with a fleet management company include:

• Payments are predictable and cost-effective 
• No large upfront costs
• You get new  vehicles for your company every few years which means keeping a good image and boosting staff morale 
• New models mean the best functionality, fuel economy, features and safety mechanisms
• Extra savings from warranties and reduced repair expense

How to Maximize Savings with Fleet Leasing Strategies

When managing a fleet, knowing the right strategies can save your business thousands of dollars annually. Here are several additional tactics to ensure you get the most value from your fleet:

• 1. Lifecycle Cost Analysis
  Rather than focusing solely on the initial cost of acquiring vehicles, consider the total lifecycle cost, including fuel expenses, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. A fleet management company can help you perform this analysis to identify the most cost-effective vehicles for your needs.
• 2. Optimize Vehicle Selection
  Choosing the right vehicles for your fleet is crucial. It’s not just about finding the lowest price but ensuring the vehicles meet your operational needs. Factors to consider include fuel efficiency, safety features, cargo capacity, and expected mileage. Selecting fuel-efficient vehicles can reduce your overall operating costs significantly.
• 3. Regular Fleet Reviews and Adjustments
  Your business needs may change over time, and so should your fleet strategy. Regularly reviewing your fleet’s performance and expenses can help identify opportunities for improvement, such as retiring high-cost vehicles or adopting newer, more efficient models.

If you would like to learn more about saving money when acquiring multiple vehicles for your company, we can help. Ewald Fleet Solutions provides an interactive ongoing service that results in lowering your overall costs and greatly reducing your administrative time. Contact us today!