A fast-growing car rental business region with latest technology

Press, 20 February 1989, Page 32

A fast-growing car rental business region with latest technology

New Zealand belongs to one of the fastest growing car rental business regions in the world.

The Avis operation is divided into three regions — the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, to which New Zealand belongs.

The company’s New Zealand and Australian operations are closely linked. Customer services in both countries reflect the company’s commitment to “trying harder.” Tourists travelling between the two countries are offered a discount rate if they book their rental vehicles before leaving home. February 1 saw the introduction of new discounted business rates for trans Tasman business travellers. All customers are automatically given the best rate option. When cars are returned, the computer calculates the lowest rate, regardless of what rate the car was initially hired at. Later this year, another major innovation will be

introduced to the Avis operation in Christchurch. It is the Wizard 3 on-line computer link with Avis offices in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia. New Zealand is to be the next country to join the on-line, real time linkup, and Christchurch will

be the first centre to have the facility. The new system, to be installed in September, will link the office, via satellite, to the mainframe in New York and to all other offices on the network. This provides customers with a direct, inter-

national rental car booking service. Holders of Avis credit cards are able to have all their relevant details, including preferred type of vehicle, made available to any office on the international network. This facility is particularly valuable to business travellers.