From status symbol to mobility tool: survey shows what really counts when it comes to company cars today

 

Costs, low effort and flexible budgets characterize the selection of company vehicles. At the same time, electric cars are already almost on a par with petrol cars in terms of preferred future drive systems. This is shown by a recent survey of around 1,000 professionals in Germany.

 

Bockel, May 2026 – Company cars remain an important part of corporate mobility for many companies, but are increasingly losing their status function and are viewed primarily in pragmatic terms. A recent study conducted by the survey institute Omniquest on behalf of MHC Mobility shows that For 79 percent of respondents from companies with company vehicles, the focus is on the necessary mobility – for example for field service, technology or other activities where the vehicle is needed directly for work. Only 21 percent see the company car primarily as a benefit for motivating and retaining employees.

 

“The figures show very clearly that the company car is not a status symbol in many companies, but rather a means to an end,” says Rainer Thies, CEO of car subscription provider MHC Mobility. “This also means that users and companies rely 100 percent on the mobility provided and at the same time want to minimize the workload caused by the car. Above all, mobility solutions today must be reliable, predictable and as easy to use as possible. Companies and users don’t want additional processes, they want vehicles that are quickly available and fit their needs.”

 

 

Cost and low effort are decisive

 

Employer-provided mobility has long been more the rule than the exception: 64% of companies provide company vehicles – either for the respondents themselves or for individual colleagues. 41 percent have access to a company vehicle themselves, 29 percent report that individual colleagues can use a vehicle. 36 percent state that there are no company vehicles available in their company.

 

When choosing a company car, economic and practical criteria are the most important factors. 45% cite low costs as one of the most important factors. Minimal maintenance, servicing and insurance costs are almost as important: 42% choose this as one of the two most important decision criteria.

 

In contrast, the age of the vehicle is less relevant: “Always driving the latest model” is the least frequently mentioned factor at less than 9 percent.

 

“In our daily conversations with our customers, we regularly hear that companies are increasingly looking at the total cost of ownership,” says Thies. “It’s not just about the monthly rate, but also about the question of who takes care of maintenance, tires, insurance or vehicle changes. This is exactly where car subscriptions can offer added value for business customers.”

 

 

Electric cars catch up with gasoline cars

 

The study also shows a differentiated picture when it comes to future drive types. Electric cars were named by 46% of respondents as the preferred future drive type in the company fleet. This puts them practically on a par with gasoline-powered vehicles, which reach 46 percent. Hybrid vehicles come in at 31 percent and diesel at 29 percent.

 

For companies, this means that the vehicle fleet of the future is likely to become more diverse. Traditional combustion engines will remain relevant, while the importance of electric and partially electrified models will grow. Particularly interesting: 59 percent of respondents from companies with company vehicles prefer at least one electrified form of drive – i.e. hybrid or battery electric.

 

“The transformation is therefore no longer a niche market and users are much more open to electric cars than they were a few years ago,” says Thies. “Many companies are moving between conventional drives and new technologies and have to carefully weigh up specific questions about suitability for everyday use. It is also crucial for them to be able to test, compare and, if necessary, adapt vehicles without committing to the wrong solution in the long term.”

 

 

Company cars are mainly allocated as required

 

The allocation practice also speaks for a functional view of company mobility. 56% of those surveyed stated that company cars are allocated in their company according to area of responsibility or necessity – for example to employees in field service, sales or technical service. 35 percent cite position or remuneration level as the decisive criterion. Only 9 percent report that company cars are negotiated individually in the employment contract and are therefore perceived more as an incentive.

 

This brings the question of which vehicle is suitable for which task to the fore. For mobility providers, this means that standard vehicle procurement solutions such as long-term leasing contracts or even purchase are often no longer sufficient. What is needed are mobility models that can map different vehicle types, budgets, terms and services and allow flexibility.

 

Budgets remain different

 

The study also shows that companies plan their monthly budget per company vehicle very differently. 37% state that the budget varies greatly depending on the position or vehicle type. 30 percent state a total monthly budget of 500 to 699 euros. 14 percent range from 300 to 499 euros, 10 percent from 700 to 899 euros. 5 percent calculate with 900 euros and more, 4 percent with less than 300 euros.

 

“A standardized company car model is less and less suited to the real requirements of companies,” concludes Thies. “A service team needs different vehicles than the sales department, a vehicle for a short-term project may need different running times than a vehicle in a permanent fleet. Car subscriptions can be used precisely where companies need to remain flexible but still expect cost transparency.”

 

Consequence: corporate mobility must become easier to manage

 

The study paints a clear picture: companies want company cars that fit the job, remain economical and cause as little administrative effort as possible. At the same time, the need for flexible solutions is increasing because drive types, budgets and usage scenarios are drifting apart.

 

This is a clear signal for the fleet sector. Operational mobility is not becoming less important – it is becoming more demanding. If you want to convince companies in the future, you not only have to provide vehicles, but also make mobility easier to manage: with predictable costs, integrated services and the ability to react more quickly to changing requirements.

 

About MHC Mobility

 

MHC Mobility is a European mobility company owned by a subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC and is represented in seven European countries: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Poland. MHC Mobility offers fully integrated and innovative mobility solutions for customers – both locally and across borders.

 

Our simple and transparent solutions cover everything from leasing and fleet management to comprehensive end-to-end decarbonization solutions for companies, including infrastructure, energy storage and consulting. In this way, we support our customers in overcoming the challenges of operating national and international fleets and reducing their environmental impact.

 

MHC Mobility is a pioneer in the mobility industry with a fleet of over 12,000 vehicles throughout Germany. In addition to its headquarters in Bockel, the company supports its customers at eight other MHC Mobility Centers throughout Germany. Personal account managers develop customized mobility concepts for business customers and accompany the entire fleet design and management process.

 

Further information can be found at www.mhcmobility.de

 

Press contact
André Schmidt
Dederichs Reinecke & Partner
Phone: +49 40 20 91 98 242
E-mail: andre.schmidt@dr-p.de