CarTrawler Reveals Growth Trend Index Results
The car rental distribution company recently looked at key car rental statistics and performance indicators across the globe.
CarTrawler, a global car rental distribution company, has issued its first Biannual Growth Trends Index which looks at key car rental statistics and performance indicators across the globe.
Growth Trends Index Highlights:
- Biggest growth markets are new markets – with focus on US and non-Eurozone:
- Orlando has the highest growth in the car rental market (63% year on year)
- Early signs show a sharp increase in bookings to Las Vegas, making this the destination to watch (71% booking hike in past 3 months)
- London is the key city break destination for car rental (70% year on year growth)
- Other destinations emerging as front runners include Geneva, Warsaw, Barbados and Sofia
- Booking lead times are dropping from 40 to 30 days
- 14% of consumers now book on airline or aggregator websites
- 54% want to “shop around” and price compare before renting a car
- 6% of consumers still wait until they are in-destination to rent a car
- Price (71%), car type (11%) and service (5%) are the key influencers for consumers booking a car
This Growth Trends Index in particular looks at year on year growth figures in key areas and hotspots of the global car rental industry, as well as releasing the results of a recent consumer survey, which polled over 1,000 consumers on what influenced their car rental booking from brand to price to travel dates*.
KEY CAR RENTAL BOOKING FACTS AND FIGURES:
- Booking lead time (how long before the travel date is the car booked) has fallen from an average of 40 days in 2007 to 30 days in 2008
- Most popular type of car booked short haul is a Compact (e.g. a Ford Fiesta)
- Most popular type of car booked long haul varies. In the US it is a Full Size (e.g. Chevrolet Impala) whereas in other long haul destinations (Africa/Australasia) it is a Standard car (e.g VW Passat).
- CarTrawler has noticed a shift in where cars are booked. As highlighted by the consumer research below, the main channel is still car rental corporate websites, but from 07-08 there has been a significant swing towards airline sites (18% growth) and aggregator sites (31%).
More Rental Operations
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →
U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%
Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.
Read More →
Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →
How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →
Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027
Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.
Read More →
Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations
Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.
Read More →
Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day
A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.
Read More →
This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See
This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.
Read More →
The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns
Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.
Read More →