Majority of senior executives still get company car

By Emma Kennedy
First published in the Sunday Business Post
14 December, 2008
Reproduced by permission

More than eight out of ten senior executives are entitled to a car as part of their benefits package, despite a worsening economy, according to a study.

The latest company car survey from PricewaterhouseCoopers reviewed emerging market trends around company car policy, car benefits and car allowances.

The survey was carried out last month across 40 Irish businesses from a variety of industry sectors. The survey found more than half of all company cars - some 54 per cent - were diesel vehicles, while BMW was the preferred brand for employees at a senior level.

The average market list price for company cars offered to di rectors was €57,547, while for sales managers it was €37,828.

Some companies offer their staff an annual cash alternative in lieu of a car. Where this was on offer chief executives received an average of €19,345, while senior sales executives received €8,167.

An annual review of the car benefit amount was favoured by more than two out of five firms.