Auto Rental News

UK’s Public Sector Increases Use of Car Rental

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:42:19 PDT

According to data from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, car rental and sharing is becoming a more popular option to control costs and emissions in the U.K.

Zipcar Provides a Car Sharing Option for College Grads

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:45:45 PDT

With 2013 grads most worried about financial stability, according to a Zipcar survey, car sharing could be a more affordable alternative to owning a car.

Carl’s Van Rentals Offers Volvo S60 and XC90

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:48:40 PDT

This Orlando-based rental company will provide both luxury vehicles over the summer.

Hiring a Car Doesn't Have to Involve Hidden Costs

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:55:51 PDT

With a recent Which? report criticizing car rental companies for not clearly disclosing fees, Carrentals.co.uk offers advice on how consumers can uncover "hidden extras."

Fleet Manager = Big Data Manager

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:57:56 PDT

Now more than ever, the fleet manager is tasked with harnessing large amounts of data and turning the findings into actionable results. With so much technology driving so much information, the responsibility and burden are now greater than ever.

Auto Rental Summit Announces Call for Papers

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:02:54 PDT

The Auto Rental Summit conference is looking for a few good seminar topics.

Car Rental Companies Targeted by Arsonists

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:17:11 PDT

Two Montreal rental companies have experienced arson attacks this month.

New Car Sales Improve in May

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:31:15 PDT

According to data from Kelley Blue Book and TrueCar, new car sales look strong for May.

ACRA Testifies in U.S. Senate on Recall Bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:22:53 PDT

Representatives from the rental car industry, auto dealers and auto manufacturers spoke at the Senate hearing yesterday.

Avis Budget Group Welcomes Trade-Ins to Car Sales Program

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:37:21 PDT

Through the Ultimate Test Drive Program, customers now have the option to get trade in their present vehicle.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Now Offers 2013 SRT Viper

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:41:42 PDT

Enterprise’s Exotic Car Collection now offers the exotic sports car as one of more than 50 luxury car rental choices.

Fewer People Planning Travel This Memorial Day Weekend

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:01 PDT

Swapalease.com survey reveals this year’s Memorial Day weekend travel trends and compares them to last year.

Europcar Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

Tue, 21 May 2013 11:22:37 PDT

Adjusted earnings improve 18.1% in first quarter 2013 against a 2.5% drop in revenue.

Used Car Prices Decline in May after Strong Spring

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:19:47 PDT

Black Book reports that five used car segments are experiencing price declines in May.

Washington Dulles International Airport Signs Seven Car Rental Companies

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:29:50 PDT

Dulles welcomes Advantage Rent A Car as well as six returning companies to their rental car group.

Green Motion Car Rental Sells Master Franchise for the Middle East

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:39:18 PDT

The green car rental company sells regional master franchise territory to Jordan-based Sadeen Rent A Car.

Zipcar Launches in Minneapolis

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:21:32 PDT

Zipcar expands its car sharing operation to its 21st major metro market.

Europcar Reveals its Branding Upgrade at Queenstown Airport

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:55:06 PDT

Europcar is the first rental car company to open its newly designed booth at this New Zealand airport.

Vehicle Leasing and Rental Industry Worth 14 Billion Pounds in UK Economy

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:22 PDT

A British Vehicle Rental and Licensing Agency report illustrates the value of the rental and leasing industry.

Car Hire International Offers Car Rental Options for Italy This Summer

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:41 PDT

Car Hire International partners with CarTrawler to help travelers search online for car rental options worldwide.

Independent RAC Redesigns Website

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:12:11 PDT

The website redesign for City Auto Rental of Cleveland features links to social media and instant updates to promotions, events and travel ideas.

AutoXotic Rents High-End Luxury Vehicles

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:17:05 PDT

This Florida-based car rental company will offer exotic cars starting June 1.

Silvercar to Open Dallas Love Field Airport Location

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:02:40 PDT

The automated car rental company will now be operating at three Texas airport locations.

Hertz's Board of Directors Welcomes Two New Members

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:07:59 PDT

Carolyn Everson and Debra J. Kelly-Ennis will be joining Hertz’s board of directors.

Avis Budget Group Now Offers Translated Rental Agreements

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:12:00 PDT

Customers can request a copy of their rental agreement in French, German, Portuguese or Spanish.

Virgin America Partners with Silvercar

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:18:50 PDT

Virgin America and Silvercar will offer frequent flier benefits for car rentals and air travel.

Industry Converges on Las Vegas for the 2013 Car Rental Show

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:31:45 PDT

Signs of a healthy and dynamic industry, an expanded agenda, a strong international presence and new OEM memberships in ACRA highlight this year's show.

Attendee Insights from the Car Rental Show

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:22 PDT

Our roving reporter caught up with Car Rental Attendees for answers to our burning questions.

GM Goes High Touch at Fleet Preview

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:43:32 PDT

Amid new products such as the light-duty pickups, the 2014 Impala, the Cruze diesel and the announcement of a new small cargo van, it’s the one-on-one attention that sticks with you.

Lancer Insurance Debuts Driving Statistics Infographic

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:07:25 PDT

Do you know that the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest?

Car Rental Q&A: How Can I Improve The Quality Of My Credit Application?

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:54:25 PDT

Reader hopes to increase the size of his fleet with fleet financing. But he needs to improve the quality of his credit application to lenders.

ACRA Highlights Accomplishments, Challenges at Car Rental Show

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:10:28 PDT

The association is actively involved in national legislation on excise taxes, a federal resolution to the recall issue, defense of the Graves Amendment and monitoring of state and local bills.

Sand Dunes and Concrete: Operating In The UAE

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:01:59 PDT

With longer-term rentals dominating the market and out-of-country hiring a must, car rental operators in United Arab Emirates have a strong outlook for growth over the coming years.

Tweeting 4 Biz

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:27:44 PDT

Before you hash up your next Twitter promotion, check out this primer on the do's and don'ts of hashtagging.

Average Length Of Rental: Where Do You Fall?

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:54:42 PDT

With information from Enterprise’s Automated Rental Management system, insurance replacement rental lengths and average labor hours are broken down by region and state.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Anticipates a High Summer Travel Season

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:02:35 PDT

Advanced reservations for Enterprise car rentals are already higher than last Memorial Day weekend.

Avis Budget Group Expands Car Sales Program to New Jersey

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:05:45 PDT

Avis Budget Group’s Ultimate Test Drive program is now serving New Jersey customers.

Rental Car Recall Bill is Reintroduced in the Senate

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:31:39 PDT

The Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act of 2013 was filed last week to prohibit rental car companies from renting recalled cars.

Car Sharing RelayRides Acquires Wheelz

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:06:18 PDT

Peer-to-peer car sharing Wheelz is joining forces with its larger car sharing competitor, RelayRides.

Avis Budget Group Recognized as a 'Best for Vets' Employer

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:10:01 PDT

Military Times gives this top honor to Avis for its commitment to help military personnel.

ADESA: Wholesale Prices Down 4.5% Year Over Year

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:09:34 PDT

As in March, wholesale used vehicle prices rose seasonally but fell annually in April, indicating continuation of a softening overall pricing environment.

Irish Car Rental Company Provides Discount to Commuters

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:35:05 PDT

Europcar Ireland is offering a 50% discount to commuters this week during a bus strike.

Motorcycle Rentals Now Available at Car Rental Express

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:17:23 PDT

CRX’s online booking website will now feature EagleRider.com’s motorcycles.

Hertz UK Launches New Service for Van Excellence Operators

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:20:26 PDT

Members of the Van Excellence program will receive preferential rates for van and car rental from Hertz.

ALG Industry Report Shows a Slight Fall in Vehicle Residual Values

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:30:47 PDT

The latest ALG Report identifies the current factors affecting vehicle valuations.

Avis Ranks Highest in Car Rental Customer Loyalty

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:03:52 PDT

Avis was given top honor in the 2013 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index.

MPG Car Rental to Rent the Tesla Model S

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:11:07 PDT

The Tesla Model S will be a new eco-friendly addition for this Los Angeles rental car company.

Season Car Hire Involved in the Latest “Fast & Furious” Film

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:13:19 PDT

The London-based luxury car rental company provided a Mercedes-Benz SLS for this new movie.

Sixt Enters the Nigerian Market

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:19:19 PDT

Sixt will partner with Coscharis Group to provide rentals in the West African country.

How Will VW Sell 800,000 Units in America?

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:56:31 PDT

At its annual fleet preview, Volkswagen talked fleet sales, residual strategies, product lineup, three new turbo engines and how diesel can help your costs (but not your heart rate).

Avis Budget Group Launches Partnership with Spirit Airlines

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:59:22 PDT

When renting from Avis Budget Group, Spirit Airlines’ frequent flier members can now save money on car rentals as well as earn airline miles.

Enterprise: Airport Pricing Decreases from 2009 to 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:16:15 PDT

From 2009 to 2013, Enterprise Holdings decreased the cost for rentals at the airport overall by more than 4% for its three brands.

6-City Survey: Rates Trending Down Year Over Year

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:04:43 PDT

April rates down, but it is too early to say that year-over-year upward trend has ended.

FSNA Names William Plamondon President of Advantage Rent A Car

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:05:44 PDT

Plamondon will lead the company's integration of Advantage into FSNA's operations.

Europcar Renews its Partnership with Michelin

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:24:19 PDT

Europcar and Michelin will continue their partnership that started in January 2008.

Hertz Voted Best Middle East Car Rental Company

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:28:53 PDT

Hertz Rent-a-Car receives this top honor at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards.

Enterprise Holdings Name Christine Taylor-Broughton Senior Vice President of North American Operations

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:34:14 PDT

Taylor-Broughton succeeds Matthew G. Darrah, who announced his retirement earlier this year after 29 years with the company.

Hertz Announces Corporate Headquarters Relocation

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:40:06 PDT

Following the recent Dollar Thrifty addition, Hertz’s headquarters will move from New Jersey to Florida.

Hertz Introduces Arabic Across Middle East Websites

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:11:45 PDT

Car renters can now select Arabic as their preferred language when making reservations online.

Manheim Index Declines in April

Tue, 07 May 2013 16:47:00 PDT

Prices for rental risk units sold at auction were 4.1% lower than their year-ago levels.

Avis Launches Sale on International Rentals

Mon, 06 May 2013 17:57:01 PDT

If booked by May 31, U.S. and Canadian residents can save up to 25% for car rentals in Africa, Europe, or the Middle East.

Hertz to Offer Dollar and Thrifty Rentals to AAA Members

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:02:32 PDT

AAA members can now receive a discount on rentals at Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental.

Zipcar Expands to Eight North American Airports

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:09:03 PDT

Travelers will now have access to Zipcar at a total of 11 U.S. airports.

Avis Budget Group Reports Income Decline in First Quarter

Fri, 03 May 2013 16:37:59 PDT

Volume and pricing increase, offset by increased fleet costs.

A Coda for Coda Automotive

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:27:30 PDT

Coda Automotive’s bankruptcy is not surprising, though it was surprising that the company was able to play off the good intentions of the green industry for as long as it did.

Expedia: Higher Rental Rates Have Decreased Car Bookings

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:22:26 PDT

The company's Hotwire discount travel site has seen car rental bookings drop, as the difference between discount and regular rates has narrowed.

Hertz Sets Financial Records for Q1 2013

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:41:31 PDT

Results were driven by stronger volumes and pricing, including the impact of the Dollar Thrifty acquisition, lower net depreciation per vehicle and an increase in total RPD.

Penske Automotive Reports Record Results

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:02:00 PDT

Roger Penske outlines Hertz synergies on first quarter conference call.

Irish Independent Car Rental Company Boosts Profits for 2012

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:32:55 PDT

Dan Dooley Group Ltd. achieved a 15% increase in operating profits to $890,975.

Car Rental Show Photos Are Online!

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:02:10 PDT

If you attended the 2013 Car Rental Show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, here is the photo gallery to remember the experience. If you weren’t able to attend, see what you missed!

What Penske Brings to Car Rental

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:52:05 PDT

The new Hertz franchisee is bringing to car rental a focus on facilities and employee practices, while Penske dealerships will get a stable source of low-mileage used vehicles.

MetroGistics Appoints New Director of Account Management

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 PDT

Martha Garcia-Perry will oversee customer relations and process development under her new title of director of account management.

Avis Budget Group to Announce First Quarter 2013 Results on May 1

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:35:54 PDT

Avis Budget Group scheduled a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2013 results and full-year outlook following the market close on May 1.

Car Rental Express Promotes Extras Available from Independents

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:24:30 PDT

By booking through CRX, consumers can access value-added extras from independent car rental providers.

City CarShare Releases Annual Report on Carsharing Impact

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:29:44 PDT

The nonprofit organization’s report revealed a savings of 85 million fewer pounds of CO2 emissions, 43 million fewer gallons of gasoline used, and 25 million fewer miles driven last year in Northern California due to its car sharing program.

Hertz and Encompass Media Group Expand Partnership to Include Dollar-Thrifty Locations

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:44:42 PDT

Encompass Media Group will increase both companies’ advertising and provide access to customer touch points at Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty locations under the expanded partnership.

Insurance Consultants International Unveils Mexico Fleet Rental Program

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:50:06 PDT

The international insurance agency launched a new program to provide insurance policies with legal and roadside assistance, uninsured motorist coverage, and partial theft and vandalism coverage.

Rent A Toll Teams With Violation Management Services

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:03:03 PDT

The companies' new agreement will provide customers with violation processing — including toll, parking and red light violations — with one provider.

ChargePoint Partners with BMW’s DriveNow Electric Car Sharing Program

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:52:10 PDT

In honor of Earth Day 2013, the new partnership showcases the benefits of electric vehicles and EV charging.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Begins Construction for Conrac

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:59:15 PDT

The new consolidated rental car facility will house all rental car companies in a parking complex to eliminate the need to shuttle cars between the service center and the customer pickup area.

Fitch Upgrades Avis Budget Group's Ratings

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:46:30 PDT

The credit rating agency cites Avis Budget Group's dual-brand strategy as one reason for the upgrade.

Sixt Spain Announces Addition of Nissan Models

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:18:07 PDT

The Nissan Qashqai and Juke were added to Sixt’s Spanish fleet for the tourism market, according to an article from EventPlannerSpain on April 7.

Europcar Utilizes InfiniteInsight from KXEN to Optimize Operations

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:30:14 PDT

The rental car company plans to use predictive analytics from KXEN to improve communications with customers and optimize business operations.

Thrifty Car Rental UAE Adds Volkswagen Models for Safety Reasons

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:36:49 PDT

The rental car company’s fleet now includes the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat to address customer’s safety concerns when choosing a rental car.

Ghana Ministry of Tourism Pushes for Car Rental Industry Grading System

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:44:09 PDT

A grading system would help customers choose a car rental company, say directors of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts in Ghana.

Hertz Partners with Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:51:41 PDT

As the car rental supplier of nine Chic Outlet Shopping locations in Europe, Hertz will provide VIP offers and joint promotions to customers of both Hertz and Value Retail.

Europcar Launches New ‘Moving Your Way’ Website

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:58:23 PDT

As part of the company’s brand repositioning, Europcar launches a new website with advanced search filters, quote comparison features and simplified access to customer profiles.

Enterprise CarShare Launches Integrated Marketing Campaign

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:26:51 PDT

Campaign kicks off in established car-sharing markets, including New York City, Boston and Philadelphia.

Hertz Using Twitter to Address Customer Complaints

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:55:59 PDT

Hertz has made the decision to integrate social media customer service into its business.

Rent Centric Celebrates 10 Years

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:05:00 PDT

The rental management system developer turns 10 in April.

Manheim: Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices Fall in March

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:22:16 PDT

Wholesale used vehicle prices fell again in March, Manheim Consulting reported.

Dollar Rent A Car, Thrifty Car Rental Partner with Allied Business Network

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:09:40 PDT

ABN Save Members will be able to save 5% off reservations made online or over the phone with any of the three companies under the new partnership.

Enterprise Plants Trees at Flight 93 Memorial for Arbor Day

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:16:48 PDT

To celebrate Arbor Day and continue its 50 Million Tree Pledge, Enterprise donated 30,000 trees to plant at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania on April 19-20.

FlightCar Raises $5.5 Million in Funding

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:24:10 PDT

The peer-to-peer car sharing company raised $5.5 million in early-stage venture capital funding from General Catalyst, Softbank Capital, Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky and Seacrest Global Group, according to Cincinnati.com.

Hertz Expands Sports Car Fleet With Three Porsche Vehicles

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:29:36 PDT

The Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayenne are available to rent in California, Florida and Nevada.

Moneymaxim.co.uk Enhances Products for Summer Season

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:25:07 PDT

In preparation for a busy season, the car rental insurance comparison search engine announced additional products and coverage available for customers.

7 Takeaways from the 2013 Car Rental Show

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:32:50 PDT

As I settle back at my desk, here are a few thoughts on corporate culture, ACRA, the global community, franchising, independents and a “sane” car rental market.

Enterprise Announces Austrian Franchise Partner

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:21:56 PDT

Established in 2008, Megadrive Autovermietung has 12 locations in Austria, two branches in Hungary and four in Slovakia.

RelayRides Launches 'Renting Social' on Facebook

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:56:10 PDT

RelayRides users can now advertise their need for a car on Facebook.

Sixt Announces First U.S. Franchise

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:44:38 PDT

Sixt opens franchise location in Tampa; Las Vegas agreement signed. Franchises are now available in Canada.