Whether you have a small fleet of vehicles or just one single unit, the importance of choosing the right model for work and business use is a top priority for both performance and financial reasons.
In exactly the same way as any other motor vehicle purchase, value and outlay are extremely important factors. However, there is also the matter of whether or not it will be able to undertake the work that will be expected and deal with all the demands that will be placed on it.
Different types of working vehicles
Today there are two main types of vehicles used for small businesses use, as opposed to larger transportation needs in roles that demand a lorry or truck. The van and more recently the pick-up are the main work horses for most types of commercial use, and both have different capabilities and applications.
Ultimately the choice between buying a van or a pick-up for a business comes down to the type of work it is expected to do and the different form of the two can be a deciding factor.
Vans
Traditional vans now come in many different shapes and sizes, even differing greatly in the same model line, as seen with the Mercedes Sprinter. In the UK, a van is such an established commercial vehicle that the term 'white van man' has been coined to describe a kind of 'everyman' stereotype.
One of the advantages that a van has over a pickup is an enclosed rear storage space that is lockable and offers security for tools, equipment or cargo.
Pick-ups
The other main design choice is the pick-up, which has been the vehicle of choice for working men for many years in the USA and other countries and has been gaining in popularity in the UK in recent years.
The 'open bed' design of commercial pick-up trucks means that they are flexible for a wide range of uses and that loading and off-loading can be adapted to situations that some vans might find difficult to operate in.
Cost
The cost of a commercial vehicle is hard to quantify as it really comes down to the range of use and types of tasks they need to be able to perform in day-to-day operations.
Today's models can be as basic or as high-end as a budget will allow, with many extras and add-ons meaning that a top of the range commercial vehicle can have as many comfort and entertainment options as a high quality SUV or saloon.
