New Zealand is a major tourist country, in the year 2016 there were more than 3 million visitors as recorded, and 2017 the number of visitors have exceeded with over 3.5 million. This number is set to rise year on year sampled from the last few years trend. This is coupled with our diverse population, who have families visiting from their home countries, means New Zealand has high demand for their transportation of all means car rentals being top followed by car sharing and carpool for local population.
Over the past few years, there has been a surge of car rental companies emerging in and around Auckland. Each car rental company wants to pitch a different concept forward. This could be from 'budget cars' to 'innovative action' and loads of other benefits like free fuel and extra days on offer to list few of them.
Companies such as Find My Ride NZ and Snap Rental are newly found rental companies looking to shake up the rental market. Starting a rental car company is very simple in New Zealand, leading to many companies being created. However, the standard of vehicle must be very high to ensure safety on the roads for the hirer and the general public.
New Zealand also has the added benefit of a vibrant second hand car market, making the purchase of rental vehicles for companies much easier as compared to other western countries where only firsthand cars are to be offered on car rentals which by default increases the cost of renting a simple car thus the policy for promoting second had cars has given life to many new car rental businesses in New Zealand and very competitive price of rental cars for its consumers in the country.
A key reason for the growth in the car rental agencies in New Zealand is the perfect setting of good number of visitors and the country being a great tourist destination. New Zealand boasts beautiful walking terrains, and scenic routes around the country. People not only drive on the normal roads, but venture further and make discoveries of their own, and this is a reason having a rental car makes so much sense.
When on tours, the driver decides what is worth looking and what is not. As a result, many 'beaten tracks' are neglected and the tourist never truly gets to experience the New Zealand experience. This is another key reason for car rental growth in the country. Tourists want to take the helm of their trip rather than being guided.
Along with tourists car rental is also a viable option for those who do not need a vehicle every day. For example, if you work in the city and use public transport as a main method of transport, a vehicle will not be needed. However, if you were to venture further, then hiring a vehicle from a Car Rental Agency, or car sharing and even Carpool is a better option. There is no hassle in having to look for a carpark or other costs such as warrant of fitness, periodic maintenance and registration which would have been had there been car ownership.
Another, growing trend has been noticed over the last few years is that, many people now prefer to hire vehicles out for special occasions such as weddings, parties and other events and as a result boutique car rental companies have also emerged, leading to the increasing uptake of car rental agencies in Car Hire New Zealand. These boutique car agencies have vehicles from Ferrari to Lamborghini, all well priced and placed above the others to offer a different experience altogether.
Martin Wynn
