PRACTICALITIES such as safety, economy and security are killing off company car drivers' desire to run 'flashy' GTI-style cars, according to Autoglass. It says results of its latest survey show that 76% of company car drivers no longer see cars as sexy, with just 7% believing image is important and just 4% concerned about the badge.

It claims vehicle crime has stemmed the desire for top of the range cars, with four out of five respondents saying such cars would be stolen or vandalised. Fleet managers, however, see the picture a little differently. Although a few drivers seem to be taking the sensible option, most are still keen to keep up their image on the road.

Merck transport controller Debbie Fromage said the company had taken GTIs and SRIs off the choice list two years ago because they were being targeted by criminals - but drivers still asked for them. Di Rees, business services manager at Leo Pharmaceuticals, said she had also noticed a few drivers taking the safer option when it came to car choice - but the majority were happy to take their chances.