Car conscious bosses borrow wheels to boost professional image

Company bosses are willing to spend more than £100 a time on car hire in order to improve their professional image when attending a business meeting, according to new research by RAC Business*.

The survey, carried out among 1,000 small businesses, found that more than half of bosses (52%) have temporarily upgraded their vehicle for an important event, with men more likely than women (60% compared to 44%). Nationally, the average amount company bosses spend on short-term car hire is £102 per hire, while long-term leasing was considered less viable with just one in four (24%) businesses considering leasing a vehicle for use long term.

Regionally, Londoners came out as the most car conscious with two thirds (67%) of company bosses admitting they would be willing to hire a car for a big meeting. Bosses in the South West were the least concerned, with the same figure (67%) opting for their usual wheels for important meetings. Younger managers aged 25-34 years old were more likely to spend out (58%), compared with drivers aged 55 years and above (28%).

Jenny Powley, Sales Director Corporate Business, RAC Business says: “Businesses that run vehicles they feel are not up to the job, should consider a long-term leasing option as it will make sense financially over time, as opposed to one-off hire costs on an ad-hoc basis.

“Leasing a car makes good sense for lots of businesses across the country, particularly for those that are on the road a lot and need a vehicle that is reliable and smart.

“The last thing company bosses want to think about when they are trying to make a good impression is unexpected servicing or breakdown costs, which short and long-term hire prevents against.”

In May the RAC announced that RAC Business Club members now have the option to lease vehicles through a vehicle management portal developed by the breakdown and motoring services organisation.

For more information please visit www.rac.co.uk/business

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest News

Website preview
National Parking Platform to launch - RAC reaction
Platform allows drivers to choose to use one of six mobile parking payment apps, simplifying parking
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
‘Double dose of delays’ on the cards for drivers making 18m bank holiday trips
Motorists advised to travel later in the day as most journeys are planned between 5am and midday
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Drivers support court-ordered ‘alcolocks’ to tackle drink-drive reoffending 
RAC encourages the Government to take a different approach to reduce drink-drive collisions
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app