Motus, an industry leader in vehicle reimbursement and risk mitigation solutions for employees who drive, released its State of Corporate Driving in America: 2025 Benchmark Report, the first edition of an annual study focusing on the preferences and productivity of the country’s field teams. The findings point to diverging impacts between fleet and reimbursement models, revealing significant performance gaps that affect both employee satisfaction and business outcomes.
The average field employee spends about one third of their entire work week (13 hours) in their vehicle– making the car a primary workspace and a vital component to get right. With this in mind, the research team at Motus assessed data from over 4,000 driving employees to uncover how legacy passenger fleet programs are failing to keep pace with shifting employee expectations and regional costs of living. The data reveals substantial performance differences across multiple business-critical metrics:
Employees are happier when they can use their own vehicle.
- Satisfaction increases by 43% when employees can choose vehicles that align with their personal preferences.
- 68% of former passenger fleet drivers report increased job satisfaction after switching to reimbursement programs.
Not all reimbursement programs are created equal, and modern convenience matters.
- Automated mileage tracking saves workers more than 21 hours annually in administrative tasks, and 64% of employees who drive now prefer GPS-enabled mileage tracking over manual reporting.
- Companies implementing automated tools report 23% faster expense processing and 17% fewer reimbursement disputes. Overall, organizations see a 47% higher retention rate among mobile employees that routinely enhance their reimbursement programs.
National reimbursement models are outdated and inequitable.
- Regionally-adjusted programs report up to 32% higher employee satisfaction, linking fairness to retention.
- Regional differences like higher fuel prices in the West, shorter but more expensive trips in the Northeast, and high, variable mileage in the South highlight the flaws of flat national rates.
- Despite fuel prices being up to 37% higher in the Western U.S. compared to the Midwest, companies continue to overlook regional differences when reimbursing for work-related driving.
From Ford to Subaru, the top 10 vehicles employees choose for work reflect the intersection of job demands and personal priorities.
- Ford (13.2%) and Chevrolet (10.0%) dominate in construction, manufacturing, and field service.
- Toyota (13.1%) and Honda (7.8%) are favored in healthcare and business services for reliability and efficiency.
- Emerging preferences—like Subaru in snowy regions and Hyundai/KIA in cost-conscious sectors—highlight how climate, budget, and role all factor into vehicle selection.
“The 2025 Benchmark Report makes two things clear: The era of the company car is coming to an end, and one-size-fits-all reimbursement programs consistently underdeliver compared to flexible alternatives,” said Phong Nguyen, CEO of Motus. “Employees increasingly value choice and flexibility, and rigid national models are failing those in high-cost regions. With regionally tailored solutions and intelligent technology, Motus is driving greater satisfaction, reducing inefficiencies, and helping organizations retain top talent.”
To download The State of Corporate Driving in America: 2025 Benchmark Report, visit www.motus.com.
