First Car Rental expands fleet, network

FIRST Car Rental has expanded its vehicle offering and branch network while continuing to invest in technology aimed at speeding up the rental process for travellers, Melissa Nortje, Executive Head: Strategy, Development and Marketing at First Car Rental, tells Travel News. The company has introduced two new vehicle categories, Groups S and X1. Group X1 features the Suzuki Jimny five-door, while Group S includes the Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Fortuner. “The additions cater for growing demand for vehicles offering enhanced ground clearance, increased versatility and 4x4 capability,” says Nortje. The vehicles are suited to self- drive holidays, safari itineraries and outdoor trips, as well as destinations where road conditions may be more demanding. First Car Rental has relocated its Cape Town City branch to a more convenient location and opened a new branch in Hermanus, extending its footprint in the Western Cape. More choice The company has also added hybrid vehicles to its fleet as interest in lower-emission mobility grows. “We believe hybrid vehicles currently offer the most practical transition towards new-energy mobility within South Africa, balancing environmental benefits with the realities of local charging infrastructure, vehicle availability and customer travel patterns,” says Nortje. The company plans to continue assessing opportunities to expand its hybrid and electric vehicle offering as charging infrastructure develops and customer demand changes. Choices First Car Rental’s fleet offers a wide range of vehicles. For travellers requiring additional passenger or luggage capacity, it offers seven-seater SUVs as well as five-, eight- and 10-seater passenger vans. According to Nortje, these options cater for families, sports teams, tour groups and corporate travellers. Corporate travellers benefit from a broad selection of executive and premium vehicles, supported by flexible rental solutions designed to meet the needs of business travel. Faster rentals Digital tools remain a focus for the company, with its self-service platform allowing customers to complete key rental formalities before arriving at a branch. Customers who have completed the required information in advance can use the self-service QuickCheckout process, which can take as little as 12 seconds. The platform covers the rental journey from booking and vehicle collection through to return. The process is intended to reduce pressure on branches during busy travel periods. Frequent travellers can use First Car Rental’s Show&Go programme through which customer information is securely stored in the company’s systems. On arrival, customers present their Show&Go card and complete the self-service QuickCheckout, reducing administration and queue times. “This significantly reduces administration, minimises queue times and allows customers to get on the road quickly – an important advantage for time-conscious business travellers,” says Nortje.