South African Car Rental Company Bans Smoking in Vehicles
First Car Rental removed all lighters from its vehicles to help renters comply with the new policy, which went into effect last week.
First Car Rental, a Johannesburg, South Africa-based car rental company, implemented last week a no-smoking policy for all of its rental vehicles.
"First Car Rental receives more customer requests for smoke-free vehicles than any other special request. This new policy is designed to ensure that we are enhancing the comfort of our customers, which is a priority at First Car Rental," said Says Melissa Storey, executive head of strategy, development and marketing for First Car Rental.
The company said it has removed all lighters from its vehicles to help renters comply with the new policy, which went into effect Oct. 11.
The company also said it will soon launch a new inspection procedure and will consider a cleaning fee penalty if vehicles are returned with cigarette odor or residue. "Secondhand smoke toxins and residue can stay in the fabric of a vehicle anywhere from a few hours to a few months after exposure," the company said.
First Car Rental has more than 6,000 vehicles in use in South Africa and has over 43 car rental branches nationwide, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations.
More Rental Operations
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →
Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
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 →