Car rental straining to provide requested fuel efficient vehicles
July 28, 2008 – 12:23 pmWith gas prices on a steady increase, rental car customers are increasingly requesting more fuel efficient vehicles. But car rental agencies are feeling the strain.
Demand is outstripping stocks of smaller, fuel efficient cars, and especially hybrid vehicles. Fuel seems to be one of hte primary concerns for the budget traveler. Though customers who request a smaller car may end up with an upgrade, the added size and reduced fuel economy, in many cases makes it a less than desirable option.
Sabre, who owns Travelocity, announced bookings of compact and economy cars were up 10.2% and 14.3%, respectively in April and May compared with 2007. Mid-size, luxury and minivan categories rentals reduced by 1.5%, 24% and 15.3%.
This shift in customer needs has come too rapidly for the rental car agencies to adjust the balance of their rental fleets to accommodate. With renters previously requesting larger vehicles such as SUVs, the rental car fleets tend to be weighted towards such vehicles.
Budget Rent-a-Car: Save $30 off a week’s rental or 10% off any other rental with Budget coupons
Tags: car rental, economy, fuel
One Response to “Car rental straining to provide requested fuel efficient vehicles”
It’s funny that an upgrade is now considered a ‘downgrade’ if there are just two of you, and you have requested a small car, and get an SUV, you’d be unhappy, having to spend so much money on Gas. Upgrades in the future will probably by Hydrogen cars or full electric, such as the way things are going.
By Gareth on Jul 29, 2008