Auto Rental News

Hertz On Demand Adds Vauxhaul Ampera in London

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:24:38 PST

The Ampera was voted the Car of the Year 2012 for its ability to deliver between 25-50 miles of battery-powered electric drive with zero tailpipe emissions while driving and long-battery life that enables customers to travel up to 360 miles in a single trip.

Veteran Car Rental, Franchise Legal Practice Adds New Attorneys

Tue, 22 May 2012 9:32:00 PST

As well, the practice is now officially LaPlaca Pujo, P.C.

U.S., Israel Sign Agreement on Global Entry Program

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:53:08 PST

The agreement means 'less of a wait time for all travelers,' the U.S. Travel Association says in its praise of the news.

USRentACar.co.uk Reveals Customer-Reported Wait Times

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:22:59 PST

Three major airport location wait times have been revealed for three of the company's suppliers: Budget Rent A Car, Alamo Rent A Car and Dollar Rent A Car.

Summer Travel Outlook ‘On Solid Footing’

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:13:44 PST

Surveys from both the U.S. Travel Association and Orbitz show that summer leisure and business travel should increase in 2012 compared to 2011, with 154 million Americans planning to take at least one leisure trip over the next six months.

Sixt Announces First Quarter Results

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:02:37 PST

Company reports revenue growth with slightly lower earnings due to higher operating expenses that include expansion initiatives in the U.S.

Hertz On Demand Adds 2012 Fiat 500 to Fleet

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:21:18 PST

Under a partnership with Chrysler, locations in Washington, D.C., San Antonio, San Francisco, New York, Miami Beach and 50 college campuses will offer the Fiat 500 with the same benefits as the other 650-plus vehicles in fleet.

Zipcar Expands Van Sharing to Chicago

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:57:18 PST

The ‘Zipvan’ program includes the Ford E-150 for hourly or daily rentals.

Travelstart Fully Opens Online Car Rental Booking Options for Nigeria

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:57:38 PST

The company decided to officially launch in Nigeria, after it surpassed existing Travelstart markets in Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya in just six-weeks.

Thrifty Car Rental UAE Fleet Available for One-Hour Rentals

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:46:44 PST

Thrifty customers in the UAE can book hourly as well as full-day rentals.

U.S. Travel Association Applauds Changes to JOLT Legislation

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:41:08 PST

The provisions made to the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act make long-term reforms to the visa system that both improve and expand the Visa Waiver Program.

Hertz to Promote Charging Network in London

Mon, 21 May 2012 15:21:32 PST

The Hertz Corp. is working with Source London to support the electric vehicle charging network in the area.

Enterprise Holdings Acquiring Mint Cars On-Demand

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:35:48 PST

By year’s end, Enterprise said that its car-sharing services throughout the country, including WeCar by Enterprise, PhillyCarShare and Mint, will be transitioned to the Enterprise Car Share brand name, the company announced.

Royal Rent-A-Car Debuts Travel Agent Partner Program

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:42:03 PST

With this new program, travel agents will be compensated for time, mileage, as well as rental options.

Sixt, BMW Team Up for ‘Mille Miglia’ Car Rally

Fri, 18 May 2012 9:54:30 PST

Sixt selected BMW as its cooperation partner for the event and also features vehicles of its own in the race.

Hertz Begins EV Charging Pilot Program in Germany with IBM

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:19:50 PST

Under a new agreement with IBM and Hertz On Demand, EVs will be available for IBM employees.

Sixt Expands Fleet to Australia

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:04:52 PST

Sixt will offer vehicles from Australian manufacturer Holden, as well as vehicles from Toyota, Hyundai and Mitsubishi to offer a fleet of vehicles to renters in Australia.

Man Turns Himself in To Police for Unreturned Rentals

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:21:49 PST

After disappearing for months after renting two vehicles from Hertz in Tennessee, a man surrendered to police.

Expedia Measures Travel Behavior of Beachgoers in Five Continents

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:34:05 PST

Expedia launched a summer sale for travelers after finding out the results of the study, in which some respondents reported that booking their hotel and car rental together made it feel like a ‘free’ rental.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Adds Three Airport Locations in 2012

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:37:07 PST

The newest of the three corporate locations, will be a Dollar Rent A Car location at the Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont.

Car Rental: First Quarter Analysis and Outlook

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:07:42 PST

A stronger-than-expected used car market is tempered by competitive pricing in the first quarter. But will the trend continue?

New Website Finds Applicable Car Rental Coupons for Users

Wed, 16 May 2012 9:55:57 PST

The coupons are available for rentals in the U.S., and just launched in Mexico and Canada.

Employees of Gotham Dream Cars Involved in Fatal Crash

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:30:02 PST

A pair of 2006 Ferrari F430s from Gotham Dream Cars was heading to the company’s Dream Car Sprint event in East Rutherford, N.J., when one of the drivers of the Ferrari lost control of the vehicle, according to North Jersey.com.

AAA Projects 1.2% Increase in Memorial Day Travel

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:48:12 PST

While travel is expected to increase, the average distance traveled by Americans during the Memorial Day holiday weekend is expected to be 642 miles, which is 150 miles less than last year’s average travel distance of 792 miles.

Rockford Police Request Open Communication with Car Rental Companies

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:21:12 PST

Due to the high volume of offenders who use rental cars to commit crimes, the Rockford Police Department is trying to open up lines of communication with the car rental companies in the area.

Corrected: Seattle Airport Conrac Opens May 17

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:17:40 PST

All car rental companies stationed at the Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle will move their operations to a new consolidated car rental facility (conrac) starting May 17.

Business Traveler Statistics Released in GBTA Study

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:43:27 PST

The study reveals information about business traveler trends, such as purpose of travel and how a company’s travel policy can affect the ‘success’ of a particular travel event.

Hertz Wins ‘Top Rated Overall' in Zagat Car Rental Survey

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:31:42 PST

Out of 10 major car rental companies, Hertz, National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car took No. 1 spots in the various categories, while Hertz was the 'Top Rated Overall.'

Europcar Extends Electric Car Rentals to Scotland

Mon, 14 May 2012 9:46:04 PST

The car rental company opened a new all-electric car rental location in Glascow.

Alpha Car Hire Sponsors Charity for Australian Youth

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:17:08 PST

The company hopes to raise $100,000 for the children’s charity Variety.

Avis Budget Group Celebrates Customer-commended Employees

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:53:54 PST

Avis Budget recognized more than 500 ‘Customer Experience Owners’ in its organization.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ranks as No. 1 Recruiter of College Graduates

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:44:09 PST

Diversity Employers Magazine recognized Enterprise with high rankings.

Canada: Quebec Case Confirms Car Rental Company’s Duty in Verifying the Renter

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:50:29 PST

The renter tried to claim in her failed defense that because her license was suspended at the time, the car rental company shouldn’t have rented her the vehicle in the first place, which in her argument, made the company responsible.

Global Snapshot: ZOOCars Doubles Fleet and Launches Hotel Privilege Program

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:19:33 PST

Alex Dick of London-based ZOOCars discusses in this web-exclusive Q&A how the company has doubled its fleet over the last 12 months, engages in guerilla marketing campaigns to boost sales and has grown its affiliate member programs.

What is Holding Back the Electric Vehicle Revolution?

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:41:29 PST

The movers and shakers in the electric vehicle market offer a candid glimpse into the immediate future of electric vehicles. (With photos!)

Car Rental Manager Allegedly Stole $300,000 in Customer Payments

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:30:53 PST

From May 2009 to October 2011, a New Zealand car rental company manager may have been stealing cash payments and directing electronic payments to her personal bank account.

Dollar Thrifty Reports Record Q1 Profit

Wed, 9 May 2012 9:06:25 PST

Net income surges on a strong used car market, an increase in rental days and utilization, partially offset by declines in revenue per day.

Proposed San Mateo County Tax Hike Could Decrease Travel in the Area

Wed, 9 May 2012 9:27:14 PST

The U.S. Travel Association reveals damaging survey results of a new tax hike that would affect travelers to San Francisco.

High Life Auto Rental Receives 2012 Best of Scottsdale Award

Wed, 9 May 2012 9:55:04 PST

This is the car rental operator's second consecutive year winning the award.

Off-airport Operators in Las Vegas Must Pay Shuttle Bus Fee

Wed, 9 May 2012 10:17:23 PST

After complaints that off-airport operators were being unfairly subsidized for using the shuttle bus as their revenues grow, the Clark County Aviation Director ruled that off-airport operators must also pay the shuttle bus fee.

Ex-convict Schemes Against Car Rental Owner in Saipan

Wed, 9 May 2012 16:53:38 PST

A man allegedly stole $500 from QQ Car Rental owner after agreeing to help him recover items stolen from four of his customers.

AutoShare Enhances Fleet with Cargo Vans

Wed, 9 May 2012 17:17:20 PST

The Chevrolet Express cargo vans are now available at 21 locations throughout Toronto.

Green Motion Expands in Birmingham

Mon, 7 May 2012 9:10:16 PST

The environmentally friendly car rental company opened a central location in Birmingham.

Avis Budget Reports Record Q1 Results

Mon, 7 May 2012 9:20:33 PST

Avis Budget Group’s revenue increases 31% on higher rental volume and stronger-than-expected residual values, with an overall net loss on Avis Europe acquisition costs.

Sen. Boxer Urges Car Rental Majors to Sign Recall Pledge

Mon, 7 May 2012 10:13:20 PST

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California sent letters to the four major car rental companies May 7, asking them to agree to a vehicle safety recall pledge.

Europcar’s Summer Discount Offers Up to 40% Off

Mon, 7 May 2012 11:17:15 PST

The reservation must be made for between May 31 and Aug. 31 in order to receive the discount.

Customer Complains About Lack of Spare in Rental Car

Mon, 7 May 2012 12:17:28 PST

As manufacturers make spare tires optional and tire inflator and sealant kits standard, customers may blame the rental agency for not disclosing that there was no spare tire in the vehicle, such as this Dollar customer who also wants to be reimbursed for loss of use.

Survey Shows Strong Car Rental Rates through Summer

Mon, 7 May 2012 14:14:47 PST

Average rate quotes at six major locations in April increased in the second and third weeks but fell back below $40 in the fourth week.

Car Rental Websites Ranked for Customer Experience and Technical Quality

Mon, 7 May 2012 16:12:43 PST

Thrifty.com won first for overall technical quality, while Travelocity.com took first place for overall customer experience. The survey looked at 10 websites in the car rental industry that included both opaque and car rental company websites.

What’s Next for a Hertz Deal for Dollar Thrifty?

Fri, 4 May 2012 13:34:21 PST

With Hertz’s announcement of a potential buyer for Advantage, how will a Dollar Thrifty deal go down, when, and for how much?

Hotels Offering Luxury Car Rental Perks for Travelers

Fri, 4 May 2012 10:36:44 PST

Several hotels are offering guests the opportunity to cruise around in luxury cars during their hotel stay.

Rental Car Companies in Abu Dhabi Face Old Parking Fines

Fri, 4 May 2012 11:31:36 PST

The parking authority issued fines dating back more than two years.

Europcar Appoints New Fleet Director

Fri, 4 May 2012 11:55:40 PST

Justin Shaw was selected as the European car rental company’s fleet director.

Green Motion Joins Tesco Clubcard as Official Partner

Fri, 4 May 2012 12:46:52 PST

Green Motion is the newest partner in Tesco’s reward program.

Hertz Closer to Advantage Sale

Thu, 3 May 2012 14:47:06 PST

Company reports it has 'agreed on the material terms' on the sale of its Advantage brand with a potential buyer. Announcement opens the door for a new Dollar Thrifty deal.

Guest Editorial: Embrace Technology, or Else

Wed, 2 May 2012 8:39:37 PST

Delta’s new Basic Economy service shows we need to adopt similar technology to assist with marketing and performance metrics.

Bogus Claims Hurt the Industry’s Reputation

Wed, 2 May 2012 9:04:06 PST

Christopher Elliott, a traveler advocate, narrows in on damage claims that he says threaten customer trust in the car rental industry.

Niche and Famous - Exotic Car Rental Company Blossoms in L.A.

Wed, 2 May 2012 9:27:11 PST

With the help of his general manager and lucrative partnerships with hotels, movie studios and body shops, Sam Zaman has built Black and White Car Rental into a luxury rentals landmark.

A Call to Action on Damage Recovery

Wed, 2 May 2012 9:08:24 PST

Even if the vast majority of damage claims are handled properly, it doesn’t take many incidences of abuse to erode the auto rental industry’s trust with consumers. The industry needs to be consistently and actively engaged in reducing the number of damage claim disputes.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Looks to Hire Student Athletes

Wed, 2 May 2012 9:43:58 PST

Enterprise partnered with Career Athletes to provide opportunities for student athletes.

Priceline Reports High Percentage of Same-day Mobile Bookings

Wed, 2 May 2012 9:57:32 PST

The company analyzed trends among its Android, iPhone and iPad users.

Zipcar Offers Services in Austin, Texas

Wed, 2 May 2012 10:03:19 PST

The effort is part of City of Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Coucil Member Chris Riley’s plan to foster a more pedestrian-friendly community.

U.S. Commerce Department Predicts Increase in U.S.-bound Travel for 2012

Wed, 2 May 2012 10:17:17 PST

Following two consecutive visitor volume records set in 2010 and 2011, the report also finds that 65.4 million travelers will visit the U.S. in 2012 alone.

FlyerTalk.com Recognizes Hertz in 2012 FlyerTalk Awards

Wed, 2 May 2012 10:29:37 PST

Hertz Corp. won all three global regions for its Hertz. #1 Club program.

Enterprise Continues 50 Million Tree Pledge in 2012

Wed, 2 May 2012 10:38:58 PST

The company says it will plant 7 million trees this year.

Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices Rise in March for 3rd Consecutive Month, Manheim Says

Wed, 2 May 2012 10:52:28 PST

Wholesale values were off only 1.3% from the record reached in May 2011.

May/June Auto Rental News Magazine Issue Online

Wed, 2 May 2012 11:01:23 PST

See our full coverage of the 2012 Car Rental Show, as well as a look at damage claims in the industry and other features from our magazine.

Bobit Business Media Acquires Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine

Wed, 2 May 2012 11:48:17 PST

The acquisition of Newport Business Media bolsters Bobit’s coverage of the vehicle fleet market with the addition of heavy truck brands.

Hertz Posts Record Q1 Revenues

Wed, 2 May 2012 15:35:26 PST

Results achieved on record transaction days, increased volume and robust residual values, according to the company.

2012 Car Rental Show Goes Big and Goes Global

Tue, 1 May 2012 16:28:12 PST

In this recap of the 17th annual Car Rental Show, check out the main takeaways from keynote speakers, browse photos and read what attendees say they gained.

ACRA: Heed the Call for Legislative Change

Tue, 1 May 2012 17:10:45 PST

At the 2012 Car Rental Show, Congressman Sam Graves encouraged us to get involved in legislation by contacting our Congress members. From the corporate level to small operators to individuals in the industry, we all need to take action.

Product and Vendor News: Bluebird Announces New Blog

Tue, 1 May 2012 17:16:33 PST

All Bluebird users are encouraged to sign up for updates by submitting their name and a valid email address.

Product and Vendor News: Global Fuel Recycling’s Fuel Recovery Method Now Patent Approved

Tue, 1 May 2012 17:21:56 PST

Using its patented Defueling Key technology by simply plugging into the OBDII port found under the dash, Global Fuel Recycling’s software communicates with the car’s onboard computer to run the fuel pump until the fuel level reaches a preset level and then shuts the fuel pump off.

Product and Vendor News: Full Like-Kind Exchange Service Can Enhance Your Cash Flow

Tue, 1 May 2012 17:29:25 PST

Businesses with extensive asset portfolios that routinely dispose of assets on a regular basis at a gain (e.g., equipment leasing or rental car companies) may decide to set up an LKE program to access the gain deferral allowed under Section 1031.

Car Rental Q&A: Your Frontline Associates - How to Hire and How to Keep Them Motivated

Tue, 1 May 2012 17:43:33 PST

Hiring frontline candidates at your car rental operations isn't always easy — nor is keeping your current associates motivated. The Frontline Performance Group gives some quick tips on how to help with both.

Blog Covers Brazilian Car Rental Market

Tue, 1 May 2012 9:20:15 PST

Blog das Locadoras gathers daily key information on the growing business of car rental market in Brazil.

Alamo and National Franchise Locations Open in Trinidad and Tobago

Tue, 1 May 2012 9:53:58 PST

The three new locations are part of Enterprise Holdings' Caribbean expansion, according to Jerry Smith, vice president of franchise operations with Enterprise Holdings.

Avis Budget Group Expects Revenue Spike on Lower Fleet Costs

Tue, 1 May 2012 10:04:35 PST

Reporting preliminary results, Avis Budget Group expects a 30% increase in revenue in the first quarter compared to the first quarter 2011, and full-year 2012 revenue to be $7.3 billion to $7.6 billion, a 24% to 29% increase compared to 2011.

Hertz Opens 125 Local Editions Across U.S. in Q1

Tue, 1 May 2012 11:45:18 PST

Hertz announced that it opened 125 Hertz Local Edition locations in 2012's first quarter.

Cintas Corp. Recognizes Avis Budget for Environmental Efforts

Tue, 1 May 2012 11:59:27 PST

Avis Budget Car Rental was among the winners of the inaugural ‘Green Garment Award,’ which recognizes companies for their recycled apparel purchases.

Hertz Introduces Family Collection in Europe

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:30:14 PST

Depending on the location, customers will be able to choose from vehicles such as the Renault Scenic, Ford Galaxy and the Mercedes B Class vehicles.

Rhinocarhire Website Goes Mobile

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:58:20 PST

The new mobile platform helps its customers to book rentals from anywhere.

Thrifty Car Rental in Ireland Launches Foreign Language Websites

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:26:45 PST

The company created four new websites for Ireland-bound travelers from France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Cheap.co.uk Updates Website to Include More Locations

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:03:52 PST

According to a company spokesperson, the website will feature a new quote requests page, results area and a new list of locations.

China Auto Rental Postpones U.S. Initial Public Offering

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:26:42 PST

Last week, the Chinese car rental company announced that it has postponed plans to offer public shares after being the first China-based company to file for a U.S. listing since regulators changed rules on foreign registration.

car2go Launches in Berlin with 2,000 Pre-registrations

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:07:02 PST

The launch of car2go in Berlin is accompanied by the release of the first official car2go mobile app for Apple smartphones and the introduction of an 'Eco Score' feature for all car2go vehicles worldwide.

Sixt Opens First Branch in Kenya

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:35:02 PST

The first Sixt branch in Kenya, which is the 13th country in Africa to now be served by the car rental company, is at the international airport in Nairobi.

Ed Peper Talks Fleet

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:57:03 PST

The new head of General Motors’ Fleet and Commercial Operations talks fleet sales, product plans and how GM manages rental sales compared to commercial and government fleet.

Disputes Tribunal in New Zealand Rules Car Rental Company Must Prove Damages

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:36:24 PST

The case is what consumer advocates in the region are calling ‘a mark in the sand’ because it ruled that the company must have shown proof the vehicle underwent inspection prior to the rental in order to make the damage claim.

Global Snapshot: Iceland Car Rental Company Faces Seasonal Challenges

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:43:09 PST

In this web-exclusive Q&A with Tómas Hafliðason of recently established Nice Cars in Iceland, which offers specialized 4WD vehicles for traveling through the snow, Hafliðason speaks on dealing with uneven seasonal demand, how customers use the website and narrowing in on effective marketing strategies.

Answers to Seven Fleet Questions

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:22:55 PST

When the heads of seven major fleet management companies convene on a panel together, it’s a good time to get their views on issues such as changes to lease accounting standards, how the new fuel economy standards will affect fleet and which alternative fuel will break out in five to seven years.

Hertz Offers New Discount Rewards Program for Businesses

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 8:57:35 PST

Hertz Business Rewards is a no-cost program for companies and their employees.

Avis Budget Group Announces Environmental Initiatives

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 9:23:54 PST

The company released a new report detailing its environmental plans.

Zipcar Narrows Loss in First Quarter

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 9:54:03 PST

For the first quarter of 2012, Zipcar reports a net loss of $3 million compared to a loss of $6.1 million in the prior year period.

Enterprise Executive Speaks on EV Initiatives

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:18:29 PST

Lee Broughton explains to the Chicago Policy Review the company's reasoning behind its move to go 'green.'

Car Rental Demand Boosts After Hailstorm in Texas

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:39:17 PST

Car rental companies, such as Enterprise and Hertz, reported that they had to truck in extra vehicles to cover the high demand, which is expected to continue for at least two more months.

Singapore Car Rental Operator Uses GPS to Find Missing Vehicle

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:43:38 PST

The company was advised by police to get a lawyer after a customer who had rented the vehicle denied claims of selling the vehicle illegally.

Renovations at Charleston International Airport Include New Rental Car Facility

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 9:37:23 PST

The $150 million in renovations include a new car rental pavilion, an additional baggage carousel, new lighting, changes to gates and consolidation of security checkpoints.

Auto Rental News Rate Survey: Western Europe Shows Wide Variation

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:58:48 PST

There is a very large difference in car rental rates between cities, with rates in Paris (CDG) almost twice those in Dublin (DUB) and London (LHR) over the nine-month period.

Autolib in Paris Reportedly Hits 100,000 Runs

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:08:41 PST

The plug-in electric vehicle-sharing program has announced that it hit 100,000 utilizations.