Think ‘Hertz rental car’ in the UK and a vision of a bog-standard Ford Focus or Mondeo comes to mind. In the US, you might regard a Taurus as the typical rental.
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But it seems the Ford unit, due to be sold to a group of private equity investors for $US15 billion by the end of the year, now has other ideas, having launched the Fun Collection in North America.
Based upon customer feedback and research on the types of vehicles travellers actually enjoy driving, the choice now includes convertibles such as the Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, Toyota Solara, PT Cruiser and Chrysler Sebring; coupes/roadsters including the Ford Mustang hard-top, PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR and Nissan 350Z; and SUVs such as the Ford Escape XLT Sport, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Murano and Hummer H3. All have Sirius satellite radio and can be specifically reserved with availability guaranteed.
Hertz now offers 35 models that can be specifically reserved, and claims to be the only nationwide car rental company in the US able to guarantee the delivery of a specific make and model vehicle at the time of reservation.
The ‘fun’ vehicles are available at many popular city and tourist locations.
Although Hertz does not make the claim, it is likely car makers could benefit from such a move. Renters who like the car they drive on a business or holiday trip may well decide to buy their own.
