Not too many years ago there were 2 choices of company car, a Ford Focus and for more senior management, a Ford Mondeo, and just one trim level with no choice of options or colours.
You must have been in a very penny pinching company Fwippers! I had company cars from the 1990’s with different companies and we had huge choice. We had a monthly allowance and could chose from a vast choice of cars. Each car had a monthly cost, which was recalculated with any options you wanted added on. If the car you wanted was more than your allowance you paid the extra each month. If it was less, you received the difference as a salary supplement. Pretty much like an AP but monthly, not up front. If you wanted a car that wasn’t on the list you could ask for a quote and they would price it up for you. Far more flexible and far greater choice than Motability.