SANI SIXT fine-tunes its fleet

SANI SIXT is witnessing a movement toward value- driven and experience-led travel. Shermen Moodley, Head of Sales at SANI SIXT, says while compact, fuel- efficient vehicles remain popular for urban mobility, SUVs and crossovers are increasingly preferred for longer leisure trips due to their comfort and versatility. Moodley says the company has noticed that South Africans travelling abroad, particularly to Europe, continue to favour compact automatic vehicles for ease of navigation and efficiency. “At the same time, we’ve expanded our niche segments, including 4x4s for adventure and luxury rental offerings that include BMW performance vehicles and the Range Rover Sport, all of which are performing strongly in key leisure and tourist regions,” he tells Travel News. The company, which combines SANI’s extensive local presence with SIXT’s international reputation for premium mobility solutions, is highly responsive to changing demand patterns. “While business travel has stabilised with steady demand for mid-range sedans, leisure travel is driving significant growth during peak holiday periods. This prompts us to ensure capacity for SUVs and automatic vehicles,” says Moodley. Low consumption Rising fuel costs have also accelerated demand for low-consumption vehicles. SANI SIXT is actively increasing the share of fuel-efficient hybrid models in its fleet while exploring electric options as infrastructure evolves. “Fuel price volatility, partly influenced by geopolitical tensions, is shaping more cost- conscious travel behaviour and customers are opting for smaller vehicles or shorter rental periods. This reinforces the importance of agile fleet management and pricing strategies,” says Moodley. The company has over 28 branches nationwide and access to thousands more globally through the SIXT network. “We ensure seamless mobility supported by a strategic depot model that enables reliable vehicle availability even in smaller towns and remote destinations,” adds Moodley. SANI SIXT continues to prioritise strong partnerships with the travel trade, offering competitive commissions, tailored rates and incentive programmes to help agents drive bookings. “Ultimately, our focus remains on delivering a flexible, accessible and value-driven rental experience that meets the evolving needs of both business and leisure travellers.”