The family of Britain’s company car drivers play a crucial role in selecting their vehicles, according to new research.

• One third of men and half of women consult their partner when selecting a company car
• Kids have a say too; 15% of households select a car based on their children’s opinions
• Company cars are used for non-work journeys for 55 minutes a day

The husbands, wives and children of Britain’s company car drivers play a crucial role in selecting their vehicles, according to new research.  

Figures from ŠKODA demonstrate just how much Brits, whose jobs require them to spend time on the road, take their family’s opinions into consideration when making up their minds on a new set of wheels.

When asked who they consult with when choosing a company car, nearly half of drivers said their partner is their first port of call – a quarter of men seek their wife’s opinions (39%) and over half of women (51%) chat through options with their husbands. 

Meanwhile, in around one in seven households (15%), children get a say - with many of those surveyed claiming their kids’ opinions matter most.

In general, men seek fewer opinions than women, with 11% claiming they don’t consult anyone at all. Conversely, more than a third of women (35%) ask for opinions from as many people as possible, even probing colleagues and friends about what they think. 

ŠKODA’s research also reveals the role of a company car outside the ‘nine to five’. On average, corporate vehicles are used for 55 minutes a day for non-work purposes. 

Nearly half of company car drivers take children to and from school (47%) in their ‘work wheels’, while almost three quarters (73%) ferry their kids to social occasions and sports practice every week. 

Henry Williams, Head of Fleet at ŠKODA UK, commented: “At ŠKODA, we understand a company car isn’t just used for business, it’s also for home life. Our models combine cutting-edge technology and affordable company car tax rates, with features that families love – particularly spacious interiors and high levels of practicality.”

In June 2016, ŠKODA occupied the top two positions in the Carbuyer guide to the best family cars, with the ŠKODA Superb Estate in 1^st place and the ŠKODA Octavia Estate in 2^nd.