One of the major purposes of owning a vehicle is the mobility and convenience of moving from point A to point B. This in particular is why owning a vehicle is essential to not just families with little children but for business owners.
When it comes to purchasing a vehicle for business, it’s important to know that not all vehicles are suitable and sufficiently serve business owners of all types. There is a category of vehicles best for large business owners and the ones that will adequately serve small business owners.
If you’re operating a business in Nigeria and looking for the most suitable vehicle for your small business operation, these are the top five vehicles you should be looking at purchasing.
- The Toyota Sienna
We might all know Sienna as a vehicle for families, but the reality is that the build of this vehicle does not just make them suitable for only families in Nigeria. It’s also a vehicle that serves as a business car for small business owners in the country.
The Toyota Sienna is the most reliable ‘family van’ with a 7 seater that you can buy in Nigeria today. Its strongest competitor currently is the Honda Odyssey. The Toyota Sienna comfortably seats 7 people, making it a perfect people and luggage carrier.
If your small business involves meeting up with people and moving from one place to another, the Sienna is the best option for you.
For instance, if you’re running a video production company, and need a vehicle that can transport you and your crew and a lot of camera equipment all around, a Toyota Sienna between 2002 and 2010 will do just that for you.
- The Toyota Matrix
The Toyota Matrix is a compact hatchback made by Toyota. Its purpose was solely dedicated to anyone who needed to carry stuff from one place to another in a sporty-looking car.
The Matrix looks uniquely designed in and out which gives you the feel of a sports hatchback but in real life, it is a luggage career (especially the first generation; 2002 – 2006 model).
The Matrix is one of the only hatchbacks that can flatten out all its seats to accommodate something as large as a mattress.
The Matrix, just like the Corolla, is one of the most reliable cars in Nigeria. The Matrix is essentially a Corolla shaped differently. It also has more interior comfort for passengers than the Corolla but when talking about cars with the largest interior space, the Matrix doesn’t come close.
- The Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 SUV is one compact SUV that will serve you well as a business owner in three major areas: it appeals to clients/customers, the reliability, and the interior space/ride height.
The RAV4 automatically makes your client(s) assume that you know what you are doing in your chosen line of business, setting you aside as a focused person.
Nigerians have car stereotypes and the RAV4 has the stereotype of a “serious businessman” and that is how the RAV4 is amongst one of the best cars for small business owners.
Also, the RAV4 has a lot of luggage carrying space and you can also flatten out the seat to accommodate more luggage in case you always have goods to move around. The RAV4 from 2001 to 2012 is the perfect Toyota RAV4 that fit all my description above.
- Mercedes-Benz CLA
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the only Mercedes-Benz that doesn’t act and feel like one. In fact, the CLA is the worst Mercedes-Benz you can buy in Nigeria and this is also why it is the perfect Mercedes-Benz car to own as a small business owner. You are getting the vibe of driving a Benz but nobody knows that it is a budget Benz car.
It is a front-wheel-drive car unlike any other Mercedes Benz and it has a pretty low maintenance cost. A true Mercedes-Benz car would require some special form of care but the CLA doesn’t need all that.
The CLA is meant to be almost as cheap as a 2012 Corolla but it is sold way above that. If you want to buy a CLA in Nigeria, it is best to learn how to buy cars yourself abroad and ship them to Nigeria. The process will be way cheaper than buying from a dealer here in Nigeria.
- The Ford F-150 Truck
The function of a Pickup truck is to go off-road and carry a load easily but that is something a Toyota Hilux would easily do for you while the Ford F-150 also does that in grand style.
The Ford F-150 is the most sold automobile in America for a reason and it is also one of the most reliable trucks you can ever buy. The Ford F-150 will give you and your business a unique appeal in the eyes of customers/clients. The truck looks unique across every year model and it will make you stand out.
The Ford F-150 is also a very economical pickup to have in Nigeria. The only issue is that you will need a seasoned Ford Technician to help you with servicing. Once you have that, you are good.
Conclusion
There are many things that come to mind when thinking of the perfect vehicle to buy for your small business in Nigeria. You don’t only think of mobility, but space, performance, and also the vibe associated with that vehicle in Nigeria, and what it could potentially mean for your business. In that case, these top five cars meet all these criteria. To top it off, they have good fuel economy and are available in Tokunbo versions as well.