Top Benefits for Sales Employees in Germany

Sales is one of the most challenging yet crucial departments of any company. Successful sales employees drive revenue and growth but also face high-performance pressure and frequent travel. Alongside an attractive salary, corporate benefits are becoming increasingly important in attracting and retaining employees for the long term.

Among the most sought-after benefits in sales are:

• Company cars – a must-have for many field sales representatives
• Flexible working hours & remote work options
• Performance-based bonuses & commissions
• Training opportunities & career development
• Health and mobility benefits

But which benefits are truly attractive, and how can companies strengthen their employer brand in sales through targeted perks? In this article, we take a closer look—focusing particularly on the importance of a company car in Germany as a key benefit in field sales.

Top Benefits for Sales Employees: Company Car

For many sales professionals, especially those in field sales who frequently visit clients, a company car is essential. A study found that 21% of all company car users in Germany work in sales (Source: Compensation Partner), with 63% of managers and 20.8% of specialists in this sector relying on a company vehicle.

Key advantages of a company car for sales employees:

• ✅ Maximum mobility & flexibility – Field sales employees often attend multiple client meetings daily. Without a company car, travel would be more complicated and time-consuming.
• ✅ Competitive advantage for employers – A company car is a standard benefit in many industries and is a key factor in job selection. Over 70% of field sales representatives prefer a company car over a salary increase (Source: Compensation Partner).
• ✅ Cost savings for employees – Using a company car eliminates personal vehicle expenses.
• ✅ Sustainability aspects – Electric and hybrid vehicles are in high demand. Companies benefit from tax advantages and government subsidies when purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles (Source: KfW).

Advantages for Companies

Company cars not only provide convenience for employees but also offer economic benefits for employers:

• ✅ Tax deductibility – Costs for acquisition, operation, and maintenance are tax-deductible, reducing corporate tax burdens (Source: German Ministry of Finance).
• ✅ Depreciation – Businesses can claim company vehicles as operating expenses, creating financial advantage (Source: German Chamber of Industry and Commerce).
• ✅ Subsidies for electric vehicles – Companies investing in electromobility receive grants or low-interest loans (Source: KfW).
• ✅ THG quota (greenhouse gas quota) – Companies using electric vehicles can generate additional financial benefits by selling their THG quota (Source: German government).
• ✅ Cost efficiency & fleet management – Leasing models minimize capital investment and offer flexible vehicle usage options (Source: German Leasing Association).

Advantages for Employees

Employees also enjoy multiple benefits from a company car:

• ✅ Reduced taxation – Under the 1% rule, only 1% of the gross list price is taxed as a non-cash benefit each month. For electric cars, taxation is reduced to 0.5% or even 0.25% for models under €60,000 (Source: German Ministry of Finance).
• ✅ Choice of taxation method – Employees can choose between the 1% rule and logbook method, selecting the most cost-effective option (Source: German Tax Advisor Association).
• ✅ Support for sustainable mobility – Electric vehicles purchased before 2030 benefit from additional tax advantages (Source: German government).
• ✅ Private use permitted – Many companies allow employees to use their company cars for personal purposes, eliminating additional mobility costs.

Company Cars as a Status Symbol in Sales

A company car is not just a means of transportation—it also signifies career progress and employer appreciation. The type of car often reflects an employee’s position and salary:

• Executives (€100,000+ annual salary) → Porsche, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series
• Experienced sales professionals (€70,000–100,000) → Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class
• Sales specialists & field representatives (up to €70,000) → VW Passat, Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo
  (Source: Compensation Partner).

SUVs are becoming increasingly popular, along with hybrid and electric vehicles. In the first half of 2021, 30% of new registrations were electric or hybrid models (Source: KBA – German Federal Motor Transport Authority).

Trends & Developments in the Company Car Market in Germany

The likelihood of receiving a company car in sales depends largely on company size. In large corporations with over 20,000 employees, 16% of staff have company cars. However, in small businesses with five or fewer employees, this number drops to just 6% (Source: Compensation Partner).

There are also gender differences in company car distribution. Among executives, 48.7% of men have a company car, compared to only 28.9% of women. The gap is even wider for specialists, where 12% of men and just 3.5% of women receive a company vehicle (Source: Compensation Partner).

When it comes to preferred brands, Volkswagen leads the way, with the VW Passat being the most common company car. BMW and Mercedes are also popular choices, particularly among executives (Source: German Company Car Monitor).

💡 Other Attractive Benefits for Sales Employees

1. Flexible Working Hours & Remote Work

The demand for flexible working arrangements is growing in sales. Companies offering hybrid models or remote work days gain a competitive edge.

• Hybrid sales models – combining field sales & remote work
• Trust-based working hours instead of fixed schedules
• Digital tools & CRM systems for efficient work from anywhere

💡 Tip: Flexible hours and remote work are highly beneficial for inside sales teams. Field sales reps benefit more from digital tools that help them manage customer visits.