Autoblog

Hertz So Good: Lotus Elise SC joins Italian rent-a-car fleet

Noah Joseph — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:56:00 EST

Lotus Elise SC fleet at Hertz Italiana - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever fantasize about driving an exotic sportscar around Italy? Well who hasn't. And there are plenty of companies on the peninsula that'll be glad to help you out. Count among them now car rental giant Hertz. But while you may have images in your head of wafting around the countryside in a Maserati or Lamborghini, Hertz has something entirely different on offer: the Lotus Elise.

Starting this summer, Hertz Italiana will be offering the Lotus Elise SC at select locations throughout the country. It's part of the company's Fun Collection and is sure to cost a hefty premium, but then nobody said realizing your dreams would come cheap. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Lotus Elise at Hertz Italiana

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Hertz So Good: Lotus Elise SC joins Italian rent-a-car fleet

Hertz So Good: Lotus Elise SC joins Italian rent-a-car fleet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Prepare to shell out a lot more for your next rental car

Chris Shunk — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials

Hertz Fun Collection Chevrolet Corvette ZHZ - click above to enlarge

The economy is in one of the deepest recessions in decades, and one pleasant side-effect of fiscal woes is that many companies are offering huge discounts to get you off the consumer sidelines. One industry that hasn't gone that route so far is the rental car industry. Abrams Consulting Group tells The New York Times that the cost of a week-long rental went from $199 in May 2008 to $345 this year; a 73% increase. The news hasn't gotten much better for June, as the prices went up 65% from $210 to $347. If car rentals are down 15% on the year, why the increase?

The reason for the jump in prices is that there are fewer vehicles to rent, as companies like Hertz and Avis have cut back on the amount of vehicles that they're buying. They're also selling vehicles to used-car starved dealerships. The result of smaller fleets is customers paying more for the cars and trucks that are left. And since customers have become accustomed to getting their rentals at the last minute, some aren't getting a rental at all.

To beat the car rental blues, The New York Times suggests that you start your search earlier. Not getting a rental from companies at the airport is also a good idea, as off-airport companies don't have as much demand. Sites like Priceline and Expedia also generally offer discounts over retail.

[Source: New York Times]

REPORT: Prepare to shell out a lot more for your next rental car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Driveway rental business growing in North America

Michael Harley — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., First Drive

By most estimates, there are about 250 million registered passenger cars in the United States (you can drop the number down by a few hundred if you still don't consider the Yugo GV a car). For many motorists, it seems that every single one of those cars is trying to park in their location -- their frustration of looking for parking is only compounded by the countless unused parking spaces that sit empty all day long.

Less than two years ago, a 24-year-old entrepreneur from London, England, launched ParkAtMyHouse with the intent of marrying despondent drivers with unused parking slots. Overnight, the "driveway rental business" was hatched. His site connected drivers with open parking spaces in Great Britain in a rather simple manner. The Internet-based program asked visitors to input either an address, postal code, or area name. The search results displayed on an easy-to-read Google map, with clickable icons representing the parking locations and their associated fees. The clever idea caught on, and their resulting success was the catalyst for recent expansion to the States.

On this side of the Pond, the "driveway renters" won't find themselves alone. Other companies such as ParkingHunter and ParkingSearch have already established themselves in the sector. All of the sites operate in a similar manner, keeping the learning curve shallow for newbies. And, since fees only change hands once the slot is rented, nothing prevents a parking space from being listed on more than one site. Now, if they could just get the system to work at the mall during the holidays...

[Source: ParkatmyHouse]

Driveway rental business growing in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford plans to cut rental sales again in 2008

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford

Speaking with Automotive News, George Pipas, a Ford sales analyst, explained that the automaker will continue to cut its sales to rental fleets in 2008, but not to the extent that it did this year. In 2007, FoMoCo decreased the amount of vehicles offloaded to rental lots by 30-percent, or 135,000 units.

The cuts next year will be spread evenly across Ford's lineup, rather than focusing on one or two specific models. However, the automaker still plans to pursue fleet sales to government and commercial entities, as it provides a substantial source of income.

Pipas goes on to say that although Ford wants to reduce the Blue Oval's rental car saturation, those programs provide the automaker a place for consumers to interact with its vehicles first hand, and it may compel some to head to their local dealer to pursue a more long-term relationship.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford plans to cut rental sales again in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Imports taking up the slack in fleet sales

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:56:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

OK, this seems like a no-brainer. As GM and Ford have gradually pulled back from the low-margin fleet sales market, import fleet sales have surged. After all, somebody has to keep the rental car lots filled. It's mostly been the mainline Asian automakers that have stepped in to fill the void. Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Kia have all increased their corporate sales of cars and trucks, but they still remain bit players overall. About 11 percent of U.S. import brand sales are to fleets so far this year. That is up from just 8% last year. In comparison, the domestics sell 31 percent of their overall production to corporate customers. Although some fleet sales can be quite lucrative, the vast majority of rental car sales are end-of-year surplus that is heavily discounted to move.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Imports taking up the slack in fleet sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What actually sells: Fleet sales for first half of 2007

John Neff — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Earnings/Financials

Automakers often report their sales figures in whatever way makes them look most positive, and for a long time including fleet sales has been an effective way to make a slow selling vehicle look more popular with consumers on paper. Automakers don't distinguish between fleet and retail when reporting their sales, so we've been forced to believe them recently when we've been told that fleet sales are being reduced. General Motors, Ford and the Chrysler Group have all claimed that reducing fleet sales is a component of each company's respective turnaround plan, but we've found a document that suggests they're still way behind Toyota and Honda when it comes to resisting the easy route to higher sales.

These PDF documents from fleet-central.com, which we've converted to images and included below in a handy gallery, report in detail the percentage of sales sold to fleet operators in the first half of 2007. It's broken down by both vehicle segment and specific models, which allows us to pinpoint exactly which depend more on fleet sales than others.

Let's dive right in and pick out some of the more interesting numbers that you may be curious to know.

Subcompacts: (fleet) 149,766 | (retail) 825,697 | (total) 975,463 | (% fleet) 15.4%
Chevrolet Cobalt: 29,090 | 44,141 | 73,231 | 39.7%
Ford Focus: 19,660 | 54,621 | 74,281 | 26.5%
Toyota Corolla 22,999 | 121,348 | 144,347 | 15.9%
Honda Civic: 2,817 | 128,113 | 130,930 | 2.2%

VERDICT: Not surprising: While the Focus is older than the Cobalt, it enjoys a smaller percentage of fleet sales. The Corolla has a lot of fleet sales, but its retail sales are so large that its percentage of fleet sales is relatively small. The Civic's retail sales are higher than the Corolla's, however, which means that it is actually the real best-selling subcompact.

More segments after the jump! All the numbers can be viewed in the gallery below.

UPDATE: Fleet sales for trucks, minivans and SUVs added to the gallery.

[Source: fleet-central.com via AutoSpies]

Gallery: Fleet Sales - first half 2007

Continue reading What actually sells: Fleet sales for first half of 2007

What actually sells: Fleet sales for first half of 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler, Ford topping the list of fleet sales

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Ford, GM

For the domestic automakers, 2007 was supposed to be the year that they weaned themselves off the fleet sales teat. For GM, they've been doing pretty well, limiting their offloads of 10 or more vehicles to one company to around 24-percent of total sales. Chrysler and Ford, on the other hand, are still relying on the practice, coming in at 36-percent and 34-percent respectively - the highest of any automakers.

While this keeps overall sales up, it's a proven fact that it increases depreciation and limits profits.

Continue reading Chrysler, Ford topping the list of fleet sales

Chrysler, Ford topping the list of fleet sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Love Hertz: Shelby GT-H rental stolen, man arrested

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 01 May 2007 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford

As devout members of Our Lady of Blowers and Burnouts, most of us can sympathize with someone that rents the Shelby GT-H and then has to return the 'Stang to their local Hertz office. It must be a tough pill to swallow, but at the end of the day, what's the alternative?

For one weary soul in Arizona, the idea of leaving the keys with a pimple-faced teen at the rental counter and then catching a ride with his wife back to his ~~moribund existence~~ house was too much to bear. So he decided to keep the gold and black beauty - for six months.

[Source: StangNet.com via MustangBlog]

Continue reading Love Hertz: Shelby GT-H rental stolen, man arrested

Love Hertz: Shelby GT-H rental stolen, man arrested originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2007 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nearly half of Chrysler's products go to fleets, Pontiac isn't doing much better

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:06:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Daimler, Pontiac

What did Chrysler do with its highly publicized production glut? Unloaded them onto fleets. Between September and February, 48.5-percent of Chrysler's sales were sold in quantities of ten or more. Even more troubling to dealers and consumers, close to 80-percent were bought up by rental car companies, versus GM and Ford whose rental sales are closer to half of their total fleet sales.

Mainly comprised of Chrysler minivans and the ubiquitous Sebring, DCX's fleet sales accounted for 34.3-percent of total sales, closer in line with FoMoCo at 32.8-percent and the General at 26.6-percent.

But the trouble isn't just at Chrysler. During that same period, Pontiac fleet sales just skimmed the halfway mark at 44.9-percent. A tough blow, as General Motors has been doing it damnedest to limit fleet sales throughout its line up. Thankfully, it's dropping - down to 31-percent for February - but Pontiac's retail registrations aren't what they used to be this time last year.

With the introduction of the new Sebring convertible and the new Malibu, both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors are looking to limit future bulk sales. Whether either automaker's bottom line can handle it remains to be seen, but in order to keep resale values from skimming the bottom of the retail ocean, neither has a choice.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. - Chrysler article, Pontiac article]

Nearly half of Chrysler's products go to fleets, Pontiac isn't doing much better originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Check this sleigh: UK firm offers cheap Ferrari rental rates for Christmas

Dan Roth — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 19:34:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Europe, Supercars, Ferrari

Hey, it's red, but it's definitely not pulled along by tiny reindeer. UK Ferrari Hire is offering you the ability to treat yourself this Christmas and drive that Ferrari you've always wanted. At least for a little while. A half-day hire at the 50% off holiday rate is about $400 with current exchange rates. Unfortunately, this is only in the UK, but lucky blokes and birds willing to pony up the pounds will be able to drive themselves around instructor-free, on public roads AND the track. A personalized gift voucher, redeemable any time in 2007 is included. UK Ferrari Hire will even deliver to any UK address. We do not recommend dashing through the snow.

[Source: newcarnet]

Check this sleigh: UK firm offers cheap Ferrari rental rates for Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An American in Paris disses the Euro Focus

John Neff — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

We spend so much time on this blog bemoaning the fact that Ford has yet to offer to the "Euro" Focus in the United States. So much time, in fact, that we fear the concept of a C1-based Focus on U.S. soil has been placed on a pedestal and is widely considered to be the smartest move Ford has never made.

While all that might be true, it was refreshing to read Edmunds editor Erin Riches recount her experience renting a Ford Focus ZX5 TDCi in France (Editor's note: we have no idea if she visited Paris while there, but who goes to France and doesn't visit Paris?). Franc-ly, she was not impressed. Knowing the Euro Focus is based on the same platform as the lauded Mazda3 and Volvo S3, perhaps she was expecting a car that could carve a twisty path between wineries and plow down cobblestone streets with aplomb. Alas, she found the ride "soft, soft, soft" and the steering uncommunicative, which surprised her considering how fun our Focus can be to drive in any trim level. The nail in the coffin was Ford's 1.6-liter TDCi diesel engine, which while able to lurch around for 400 miles between fill ups, was noisier and clunkier than modern day diesels from Volkswagen.

Of course, this doesn't mean Ford is off the hook with the North American market. It just means that now we want Ford to fix the soft suspension, sharpen up the steering and have a better diesel available before it brings the Euro Focus to our dealers. You know what? Forget all that, just sell the Focus ST here and we'll call it even.

[Source: The Driving Woman]

An American in Paris disses the Euro Focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RR of the Day: Hertz who? Saleen S281 Budget Rent-A-Car

John Neff — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: RR of the Day

Before Ford and Hertz ever thought of resurrecting the original Rent-A-Racer, Saleen and Budget Rent-A-Car beat them to it. Saleen built 30 special S281 Mustangs for Budget back in 1996, and the number 14 car is our RR of the Day today. Along with all of the standard (or not-so-standard) Saleen modifications, which included a tuned Racecraft suspension, 3.27:1 factory gears, a Saleen/Borla exhaust and Mach 460 sound system, the Budget cars also rolled on 18-inch Speedline mag wheels. Flickr member pthornton has added a long list of his own performance mods. After rolling his Budget Saleen on the dyno to the tune of 377 rear-wheel horsepower and 376 ft-lbs. of torque, it's clear this car will send a Shelby GT-H back to the airport with tailpipe lodged firmly between its legs. Nice rare ride, pthornton.

If you'd like to see your own ride featured here, simply upload photos of your ride into our Flickr group. We select one image to highlight each week day, and on the weekend let you vote for a RR of the Week. Detailed instructions can be found after the jump.

Continue reading RR of the Day: Hertz who? Saleen S281 Budget Rent-A-Car

RR of the Day: Hertz who? Saleen S281 Budget Rent-A-Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Top 10 rental car secrets

Chris Paukert — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The folks over at SmartMoney.com have compiled a common-sense list of the "Top 10 Things Your Retntal Company Won't Tell You." In point of fact, we'd reckon that most of the pointers are forehead-smackingly obvious, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth a quick refresher, or a good opportunity to relay your own tips to fellow Autoblog readers in comments.

1. "We're a tax magnet."
2. "We track your every move."
3. "Our prices are etched in sand."
4. "You probably don't need our insurance."
5. "Your reservation doesn't mean bupkis."
6. "Special orders are our bread and butter."
7. "The little guys charge less."
8. "We're cutting corners anywhere we can."
9. "Think gas prices are high at the pump? Look what we charge."
10. "We offer some terrific deals - on Thursdays when the moon is full."

[Source: SmartMoney.com; New York State Insurance Department]

PSA: Top 10 rental car secrets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky man upset over rental car with bad coil

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 May 2006 17:07:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Over the years, we've frequented some fairly seedy rental car places, and have found more than a few unsavory items in our vehicles' nooks and crannies, doubtlessly left by previous customers-everything from a calcified cheeseburger to a headless Barbie doll. That said, Dan McBride, assistant athletic director at Eastern Kentucky University has us beat. The rental whip he picked up on Tuesday in Paducah came complete with a complementary two-foot-long ball python. McBride apparently thought the wayward snake was a rubber toy, which must've made for quite a shock after went to pet it.

Sadly, no word on what kind of car McBride was renting. Our guesses? Why, a Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang Cobra, or an early-to-market Chrysler Aspen, of course.

[Sources: The Associated Press via News-Leader; StrangeZoo]

Kentucky man upset over rental car with bad coil originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 May 2006 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

John Neff — Wed, 24 May 2006 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Chrysler

The 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible has been caught on camera during testing, and as AutoWeek points out the new drop top shows more massaged sheetmetal than its flat-sided sedan sibling due out as a 2007 model. The Sebring sedan is slated to receive a trifecta of powerplants including the 2.4L four-cylinder World Engine, a standard and flex-fuel version of the 2.7L V6 and a high power 3.5L V6. No word on what engines will be available with the convertible, but we suspect the 2.4L four and the 3.5L V6 are locks.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Spy Shots: 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scott Speed's Squadra Piloti - Match.com for car people

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Supercars

American Formula 1 driver Scott Speed (that's him doing his best Kevin Costner imitation at right) has lent his name to a new twist on the exotic car timeshare/rental concept. While outfits like San Francisco-based Club Sportiva bill themselves as "the ownership alternative," allowing club members to rent exotic and classic cars owned by the club, Speed's Squadra Piloti operates in the manner of a dating service, putting members who own, say, a Lamborghini Gallardo, with other members who want to drive one (think Match.com, but with cars).

Squadra Piloti (it means "team of drivers" in Italian) members can make arrangements like swapping their exotics for a specified time, or simply renting their bahnburner to a member whose daily driver is, well, sub-exotic.

If having an F1 pilot as a member is important to you, Squadra Piloti's uber-driver Scott Speed is up against Club Sportiva's Mario Andretti. Tough act to follow, Scott.

Check out the Squadra Piloti website for more info. If you try it out, let us know how it goes! Maybe Scott will rent you his Toro Rosso ride...

[Sources: Scott Speed's Squadra Piloti, Club Sportiva]

Scott Speed's Squadra Piloti - Match.com for car people originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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