Commercial Vehicle Options for the Small Business Owner

Owning a small business can be a daunting, terrifying, and incredibly rewarding task all at the same time. You take an idea, make a plan, invest some time and money (a lot of time and money in some cases) and then work your butt off to pursue your entrepreneurial dream. However, one vital component to a small business model that many entrepreneurs unintentionally neglect is a business-owned vehicle. There are so many commercial vehicles to choose from, so how is a fresh business owner supposed to know which vehicle will work for his particular small business needs? You could spend hours searching the internet, or you could consult your local Ford commercial vehicle dealer.

Why Ford? Because Ford has some of the largest variety of commercial vehicle options, including some very customizable features, at an affordable price point. You’re starting a business, for goodness sake! You don’t need to be worrying about spending even more money than you already are on an enormous commercial vehicle that is just way too much for your needs. You want a neighborhood dealer who works every day with small business owners like you.

Why Do You Need a Commercial Vehicle?

While some business owners might be able to get away with using their personal for a while, in the long run, any smart business owner is going to need to invest in a vehicle that is considered to be owned and operated by the business. We are not legal or tax experts and do not claim to give out legal advice, but ask your local CPA, and he just might tell you that when your business owns a vehicle, your vehicle, including fuel and maintenance costs you put into it as well as any miles you drive it, might just be able to get your business some pretty handy tax credits. And as an entrepreneur, you need to be taking advantage of all the legal tax credits you possibly can.

What Can the Ford Transit Offer Business Owners?

The Ford Transit is one of the most popular options for small businesses because of the flexibility the Transit offers. If you drive around a lot of passengers or employees, you can load up your Transit with a bunch of seats, and everybody can travel comfortably. Or if you would rather limit each vehicle to one or two employees and load up the back with tools, product, or equipment, the Transit offers plenty of space for most small business ventures.

You can leave the back wide open, so you can load and unload different things every day, or every trip if you desire. This is perfect for entrepreneurs who frequent local markets to sell their goods or small shipping companies who deliver packages to customers every day. You can install shelves in the back of your Transit, so things are easy to access. You can even install a safety guard between the front seat and the cargo space so that the driver and passenger are kept safe in the event something from the back goes flying (like in the case of a sudden stop, for example).

Don’t make the mistake of thinking the Transit is only for product-based businesses. Many other business models can benefit from the Transit as well. Because the Transit allows owners to bolt tools and equipment into the floor of the cargo area, the options are nearly limitless.

Let’s take carpet cleaning businesses, for example. If you owned a carpet cleaning business, you could use the back of a transit to safely store all of your small hoses, brushes, portable chemicals, and other equipment. Additionally, you can also install big hoses or big tanks of cleaning chemicals into the back of the Transit for ease of transport and use. Don’t worry about your big tank of chemicals spilling all over the back of the vehicle or having to find a safe way for your employee (or you) to lug that huge tank around houses while cleaning carpets. Bolt that tank to the floor of the Transit. And with both rear and sliding doors, everything is easily accessible.

That’s not the end of business models that will work with the Ford Transit. For the most part, if the Transit can carry it, it can transport it. Turn your Transit into a repair shop on wheels or use it to bring a myriad of services to your customer base. Use it as a main part of your business model or as a supportive tool that makes your life easier and gets you tax benefits to boot! (Please consult your local tax expert for specific details.)

Or for a slightly smaller version, the Ford Transit Connect does all this while taking up a little less space (and thus a little less of your pocketbook). Just make sure you take into account the measurements your business will need before deciding to go smaller with the Connect. You don’t want to focus on saving money and space today just to find yourself in a position that requires an upgrade in only a couple of years.

What About Transit Specs?

If you’re considering utilizing the Ford Transit for your business, then it would do you some good to learn about the capabilities of the Ford Transit. Because the Transit is so customizable, you have a variety of cargo space dimensions from which to choose. Some body styles offer a cargo space of 246.7 cubic feet, and others offer 487.2 cubic feet. Or, if you’re willing to remove the passenger seat, you could get up to 542.2 cubic feet. With a payload of up to 4,530 lbs, you’ve got a lot of flexibility. Talk to your local Ford commercial vehicle dealer to learn what specific options are available to you.

Capabilities aside, the new Ford Transits also come equipped with safety features and technology that will make you feel like your business is in capable hands – or tires as the case may be. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 technology comes with sensors and automatic response features that react to hazards on the road and work to protect you from accidents and collisions, all before you even realize what’s gone wrong. That’s a weight off the shoulders of any business owner whose tools and products are traveling with them. And with the new AWD option that comes available with 2020 models, you can even take your Transit’s capabilities one step farther.

You Won’t Regret Investing in a New Commercial Vehicle

Investing in a commercial vehicle for your business can seem like a risk, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve done the proper research and consulted all the relevant experts, then you won’t be making this decision blindly. If you expect your business to grow, you must be willing to invest in the appropriate tools, and a vehicle is no different. After all, you can’t expect to build a financially sustainable business with just the equipment you can find in your backyard shed.

Only you know what needs your specific business has but odds are good that whatever your business model, you will benefit from investing in a commercial vehicle. Contact your local Ford commercial vehicle dealer today for help in determining which commercial vehicle is right for you. Here at Kings Ford, we are very familiar with the Transit and Transit Connect, so trust us to help you find the perfect vehicle for your business.