A recent study by the Royal Automotive Club Foundation (RAC) has shown that a cost per mile charge for motorists may cut down on traffic congestion. The UK group forecasts that by 2025 there will be a 33 per cent increase in the amount of traffic on British roadways, and that consumers admit that a distance fee imposed on their driving would make them consider reducing the amount of time they spend behind the wheel and look for some alternative means of transportations, such as public transportation and car-pooling.

According to RAC director Professor Stephen Glaister, a pay-as-you-go tax is quite possibly the sole means of reducing congestion and gridlock traffic. Mr Glaister said that the tax may be inevitable, since there is simply no viable alternative. He went on… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 12th, 2010

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc announced its acquisition of 1st Call Studio Equipment, a supplier of equipment rentals to the television and film industry. The car hire giant purchased the firm from RoadSafe Holdings, and is pleased to welcome the Sylmar, California, based company as a new subsidiary under the Hertz umbrella. 1st Call provides its services to clients throughout California, including Hollywood, and has offices on the Universal Studios Hollywood lot, Albuquerque Studios Lot, and in Louisiana.

According to Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark P Frissora, his company is actively seeking growth opportunities in the entertainment sector which provides one-stop equipment and car rental solutions for media companies. He went on to add that the acquisition of 1st Call Studio Equipment expands Hertz’s influence in the entertainment industry… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 9th, 2010

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group has provided an update to estimates for its 2010 sales forecasts, as well as amended second quarter financial results. The firm announced that it expects its second quarter Corporate Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to be between $70 and $75 million, a mammoth increase from the $20.9 million the company experienced during the same period a year prior. These figures take into account an estimated $5 million the company has spent on transaction costs while dealing with a possible merger with rival Hertz Global Holdings, Inc, announced earlier this year.

Dollar Thrifty, based on the first and second quarter figures as well as projected sales and expenses regarding fleet purchases, estimates that the yearly Corporate Adjusted EBITDA to be between $200 and… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 8th, 2010

Avis, one of the leading car hire companies in the world, opened its first location in Ho Chi Minh City, the centre of all things cultural, political, and financial in Vietnam. Located in the Binh Thanh District at No 86 D3 Street, the branch is near the downtown area, and its convenient location ensures ease of rental for the many car hire customers in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to the highly trained staff on premises, which will be sure to assist any customers with questions or concerns they may have regarding car hire at Avis, the Ho Chi Minh City branch also has professional drivers. The driving experts that sit behind the wheel are experienced in both manoeuvring the roadways as well as communicating in English, making it… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 7th, 2010

The Institute of Advanced Motorists have offered a set of tips for motorists who plan on driving while abroad. The driving organization announced the guidelines as a means to assist those who may be unfamiliar with the driving rules and regulations in different countries, and hopes that by brushing up on some driving basics, travellers can enjoy their vacations without stress, fines, or accidents.

According to Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, many countries have similar laws regarding driving, but it is always a good idea to brush up on the regulations of whatever country you will be visiting, in order to avoid trouble with the law. He went on to say that ignorance is no excuse, and that tourists can be prosecuted as easily as those local to the region.… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 6th, 2010

Toyota, the Nagoya-based car manufacturing giant, has announced through Japan’s Transport Ministry that it is to recall 270,000 autos in North America and the European Union due to a fault in the engines. According to estimates provided by Japanese daily newspaper Asahi Shimbun, the total cost to the company for the latest recall will reach an excess of $228 million.

The latest announcement comes on the heels of 10 million Toyota vehicles being recalled during the past year, the majority of which suffered from acceleration problems. Of these, over seven million of the vehicles were recalled from consumer and dealerships in the US, which led to a grilling of Toyota executives by a US Congressional Committee, arguing that the company was lax in safety regulations as well as their response time in… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 5th, 2010

A car hire manager for Thrifty has been sentenced to two years in prison after he was found guilty of stealing $52,900 from the company to feed a drug habit. Dan John Pitt, 30, of Risdon Vale, worked as the duty manager at Hobart Airport during the time of the infractions, which spanned nearly a year from November 2008 to September 2009. According to police records, Mr Pitt had served a prison sentence in 2004 for similar crimes, which he committed when in Queensland.

The lawyer for the defence argued that after his incarceration five years ago, Mr Pitt resumed his thievery in order to support a drug habit. The lawyer also said that the drug habit was used to cope with childhood memories of abuse which had resurfaced as… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 2nd, 2010

Dollar Thrifty has opened a new Customer Choice location at San Jose International Airport, and the car hire giant has plans to open similar facilities at other locations within the next year. The Customer Choice program allows Dollar Thrifty customers the ability to reserve a vehicle based on class and size, then select the particular one they wish to rent after arrival at the facility, giving them the opportunity to pick the best one to suit their needs. Customers who have used the service give it high marks, as it provides additionally flexibility without an increase in cost.

According to Scott Thompson, president and CEO of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, the Customer Choice program not only streamlines internal operations at Dollar Thrifty branches, but also gives customers an added value… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on July 1st, 2010

Mark P Frissora, Hertz chief executive, tried to allay the fears Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group employees in Tulsa this week regarding the proposed merger of the two car hire giants. In a letter to over 700 employees at the facility, Mr Frissora said that their jobs would be stable for at least three months after the merger takes place, and there would be no changes in severance, base wages, and bonuses for at least 15 months after the transaction is completed. Hertz made a bid of $1.3 billion to acquire Dollar Thrifty this past April.

In his letter to the employees, Mr Frissora said that he understands that the proposed merger has created a level of uncertainty among the many employees currently working at the Dollar Thrifty headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma.… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on June 30th, 2010

Avis Budget Group has announced plans to raise €151 million through a rights issue, which the company hopes will strengthen its balance sheet and put it in a position to expand its operations into the burgeoning market in China. The international car hire giant currently has 26 locations throughout China, and hopes to increase the number to 100 by 2012.

According to Pascal Bazin, chief executive of Avis Europe, China is in a period of high auto sales, as over 14 million vehicles are purchased each year in the country. He went on to add that industry analysts predict that the car hire market will ultimately be similar to that seen in Europe, and the possibilities for financial success in the country are astronomically high.

In addition to the €151… Read the full story

by Aadyn Taylor on June 29th, 2010