Industry Overview
Today’s car rental industry is a $35 billion business, with the major players being Enterprise, Hertz, Avis and Vanguard. The airport counter, which produces the majority of business, is the core business for each of the companies, providing transportation to the business traveler and the leisure traveler alike. The Miami International Airport provides car rental services in Miami to both types of travelers. A hub business center, such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport, generates large revenues for car rental companies in Atlanta.
Keeping transportation clean and in good working order is a must for all car rental companies. Keeping a large selection of cars, trucks and vans in inventory is also vitally important.
The American Car Rental Association is the organization that oversees the important issues that car rental companies must deal with daily, from safety issues to taxes. The industry has come a long way since its inception in the early 1940s.
Industry Trends
As more and more people become aware of the environment, there is greater demand for hybrid cars and trucks. Cars that provide long range mileage between fill-ups are requested by both business and leisure traveler.
More car rental companies are providing shuttle services from airport terminal to off-property rental lots. This aids in eliminating the often long traffic waits at airports and gets customers into their cars quickly. Another efficiency trend is the kiosk, where a traveler can book the car they want at point of departure and find it waiting for him at point of arrival.
Brands
Of the fifty largest U.S. car rental companies, the biggest are Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Avis and Hertz. Due to their size and visibility in almost every major U.S. city and around the globe, they can provide the best rates and most accessibility.