Has anyone heard if they are taking away company cars? If so who does this affect? What levels?
66 replies (most recent on top)
@ms do you drive an average of nearly two hours in every direction to cover multiple distributors? If you did you wouldn’t be asking.
@125 I suggest everyone call the speak up line. Flood the line! I called.
@1pq I had a PBG car allowance at one point. I’d take a free fleet vehicle program any day. But yes, at least the old PBG program actually paid for a car payment, not just the insurance and registration. You can drive an older vehicle but you can’t hide that. You have to report your vehicle and age to the Motus system via registration and insurance. The implication is how much of your “stipend” is taxable. Older vehicle means potential tax-abilty of the small portion we do get.
Those of us who were PBG hires recognize that car program - it’s exactly what we had prior to being issued Donlen fleet vehicles…
I assure you we took a sizable cut when we went from personal cars w/mileage reimbursement to Donlen fleet vehicles, even when factoring wear & tear etc.
Nobody ever policed the parking lot to make certain your personal vehicle was less-than five years old…. I wouldn’t worry about that too much unless you’re driving a clapped out Dodge conversion van or a ratty Hyundai
@1cx yes, exactly! And to paint it like it’s a positive that provides flexibility is insulting. We are all taking a $6k-$8k pay cut per year at a minimum. My “stipend” will cover insurance and the per mile is pennies. I can’t imagine being earlier in my career and being told I now had to go buy a 2019 or newer car with zero warning. It’s a major stressor for me and I’ve been here quite a while. A company car is definitely a privilege not a right but this is being handled really poorly and will put many people in a tough bind.
I'll use approximate numbers to keep things anonymous. When I was first provided a company car, I was earning around $100,000 per year, and a new Toyota Camry cost about $15,000. Now I'm earning $115,000, but that same Camry costs around $40,000, and insurance rates have gone through the roof. The company is taking the car back, and for a benefit that was worth $15,000–$20,000 (or more) per year to me, they're offering almost nothing in compensation—just the crumbs at the bottom of the chip bag.
I have to ask. How bad is it?
If I sat down and tried to create the worst car program ever in I don’t think it’s possible to do a better job than PepsiCo has. Congratulations on the worst car program ever.
@12e true but you won’t get it. A 1-2 year veteran with a college degree will.
@12e I agree. I’m not sure why everyone is so upset it’s just a car. Grow up
There are 5000 sales reps ready to take your job
Anyone interested in protesting these changes? At some point we must stand up to the nonsense. 1K+ of us refuse to visit trade or a customer until he responds. We need to be fairly compensated.
@10m You used to have an actual team to work with. Nowadays the solo US-based worker bee only has an army of contractors and offshore team mates to work with.
“The way I see it, the people who came before us took advantage of every perk ….”
Eyeroll
…the people who came before you weren’t working from home… we were out in the trade, in front of customers selling, building share … Now - get back to your zoom calls and General Hospital
I only leave my house when I’m forced to, hitting maybe 1% of my actual customer outlets in a year. Here’s the kicker: I’ve won the Ring of Honor because my peers visit their accounts even less. Cue the Ray Liotta laugh.
Being over 55 and settled, I can’t wait for them to package me out. I always had grand plans of exposing every conversation, every DEI situation, every backroom deal—every single thing I could do to stir up chaos. But who am I kidding? I’m a grandpa now. I don’t want to fight that hard, but oh, it sure would be fun!
The way I see it, the people who came before us took advantage of every perk to build a retirement nest egg, send their kids to college, and provide for their families. Those days are gone. Now, they know every benefit they can take away from us, and they’re doing it. If you want experience this is the place to be. Get out as fast as you possibly can.
Email received! Sad day! Another perk bites the dust
SMFH
Not a rumor anymore. KAM cars are going away
The buyout offers from Donlen used to be VERY attractive… they (finally) caught on in 2022 about 9mos after used car retails went ballistic…. Their offers now ( Wheels) are nothing to get a bo--r over
No doubt. This is just one of many changes coming out in 2026. All to save $$$$ for PepsiCo.
For the unaffected work groups, you’re next. Don’t think for a second that this ends with us.
Posts on other sites very similar to what I’m reading here. Must be some truth to the rumors. Supposed to hear something Tuesday. Patiently waiting
You’ll probably be able to purchase your company car. They say it’s a deal. I didn’t think the offer was anything special
According to all the posts we should hear to real deal this week. One more perk going away. Make sure your resume is updated. Plenty of companies looking for good, experienced sales professionals
You can either take the lump sum or claim mileage for a year. The other option is to grab the cash and never leave your house, which seems to be what most Kams do anyway. Most of the mileage the Kams I know rack up is from going on vacation. RIP
It could be grossed up to ensure the entire $7500.00 passes through. Old Pepsi would always do it. Kind of hard to put $7500 down on a car when $2500 goes to Uncle Sam. I’m sure we’ll know soon enough
You get a taxes $7500 to give back the car or you can take mileage. And / Or
@pm yes most likely taxed. Any sort of stipend/reimbursement by the company is always taxed. Sign on bonus, college tuition reimbursement, cost of living bonus for the campus hires, etc. It su-ks.
Expect a range of ≈ $4800-$5300 depending on the state you reside in.
@pm I would assume it would be taxed, I don’t know tax law or how else they could pay without it being taxed.
@pm more than likely. That is regulated by the IRS so it will be reduced by taxes.
$7500.00 taxed?
Pepsico is going to a FAVR program that will be ran by MOTUS. You should get a fixed amount each month along with mileage reimbursement. Mileage will be tracked through app. KAM levels and above are for sure losing company car. Not sure about levels lower than KAM.
As mentioned in earlier posts, it will be done in phases from Feb through September based on the lease of vehicle. You will have choice to turn in car immediately (believe before April) and receive $7,500 or wait until September and receive $6,000. Detailed information will be sent out this week and everyone should have individual fixed amount on Friday.
Once everyone starts receiving calls please share all the details. I’m sure my call will come soon enough.
@ms not sure if you’re merch or account rep or STL but only food service reps and KAMs have company cars. Or HAD company cars.
Where do you get company cars, we don’t get any here in Plano, Texas office?
dude, KAMs and FSRs weren’t terribly busy visiting customers anyway *
@jw good plan!
In my previous role I made money on the mileage program. Just have to drive a old beat up car