Car hire firm sees Chch as gateway

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33032, 27 September 1972, Page 1

Car hire firm sees Chch as gateway

(From Our Own Reporter

WELLINGTON, September 26.

Because Christchurch is now “just as much the gateway to New Zealand as Auckland,” the car-hire firm, Dominion Rental Cars, will double its rental fleet in Christchurch.

The firm has placed an order for 200 new cars worth $670,000, believed to be the largest single order placed by a private firm in New Zealand.

Many of these new vehicles will be sent to Christchurch, according to the managing director of Dominion Rental Cars (Mr R. E. Cooper) tonight. The 200 new cars are needed to meet expected or-

ders from a big influx of tourists, particularly from Australia and America, who want self-drive motoring holidays in New Zealand this summer.

Because many Americans have not driven a manual gear change, all the new models from 1300 c.c. up-

ward, will have automatic drive.

“We know from bookings already received, that more tourists want to drive themselves round New Zealand this year. Many of them say they do not want to stay at expensive hotels and want self-drive cars so that they can visit out of the way places and stay at smaller motels or hotels,” said Mr Cooper. Advance bookings received from overseas agents, include a large proportion arriving at Christchurch Airport and leaving from Auckland. "Christchurch is now just as much the gateway to New Zealand as Auckland. This means we have to double our Christchurch fleet to cope with expected demand this year,” said Mr Cooper. The vehicles will range from semi-luxury models, down to minis. Dominion Rental Cars is one of the

biggest car hire firms in New Zealand. It recently opened booking offices in Australia to advertise self-drive motoring holidays in New Zealand.

‘‘We have been astounded at the interest shown by intending travellers and tourists who want to get out into the country and away from the more highly publicised tourist centres,” said Mr Cooper.