Surveys show that about half of the visitors who come to Florida by air during the tourist season rent a car. Some want a convertible so they can zip by the beach and do that scene, but car company officials say the most popular rental cars here are the cheapest.
“Florida is the most competitive car rental market in the entire world,” said Melodye Blancett-Scott, spokeswoman for Thrifty Car Rental. “And the most popular car is usually the car with the cheapest rate.”
As a matter of fact, Thrifty’s cheapest and most popular rental car in Florida is a ragtop, the Chrysler LeBaron convertible. But the most popular rentals at other companies are economy models, such as the Geo Prism, Chevy Cavalier, the Ford Tempo and Mitsubishi Galant.
Tom Schroder, spokesman for the American Automobile Association of Florida, said the small car just makes sense for people on vacation. “The goal of most people coming to Florida is to save money, and they can do that best by renting a smaller car,” Schroder said.
And by renting it for a week or longer. Daily rentals on compacts or sub- compacts usually run $20 to $25 a day, while most car companies now offer weekly rates for $100 to $110; you get an extra day or two when you rent by the week. Most tourists rent by the week, said Brad Partridge, vice president of Value Rent-A-Car in Deerfield Beach.
The top rental at Fort Lauderdale-based Alamo Rent A Car is the Chevy Geo Prism, said Liz Clark, spokeswoman for Alamo. But she said the Prism is just on top temporarily, that Alamo has three other rentals in a dead heat with the Prism for the top position: the Chevy Cavalier, Buick Park Avenue and Cadillac DeVille.
Alamo claims to rent more cars than any other company in Florida. “Hertz is No. 1 nationwide, except in Alamo markets,” Clark said.
Alamo also claims to be the only major independently owned major U.S. rental car company. Most of the other big rental companies are owned by General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp., so they can push their cars.
Ford owns 49 percent of Hertz, which explains why Hertz’s most popular rental is the Ford Tempo. GM has National Car Rental. Chrysler has ownership in Thrifty — which explains the LeBaron as Thrifty’s top rental — and Chrysler also has an interest in Dollar Rent-A-Car and Snappy Car Rental. Budget Rent- A-Car is owned by Sears Roebuck and Co., and Avis Rent A Car is owned by an employee stock ownership plan.
Alamo may be independent, but more than 90 percent of its rentals are GM makes.
Value Rent-A-Car in Deerfield Beach is an exception among U.S. car rental companies because it is 80-percent owned by a Japanese automaker, Mitsubishi.
In 1990, Mitsubishi became the first foreign automaker to buy a U.S. rental firm, trying to play catchup in the American market with its best-selling competitors, Honda and Toyota.
That deal provoked a court battle between Mitsubishi and the Cohen family, which sold the company to the automaker. The Cohens sued the automaker and, among other claims, said Mitsubishi favored its own cars over less-expensive Fords. That claim later was thrown out of court.
Nevertheless, Value’s top rental in Florida now is — small wonder — the Mitsubishi Galant. Partridge at Value said the Mitsubishi Expo Sport is a close second.
TOP RENTALS
The most popular cars in South Florida among some of the major rental firms:
— ALAMO: Geo Prism
— HERTZ: Ford Tempo
— VALUE: Mitsubishi Galant
— THRIFTY: Chrysler LeBaron
Greetings, I'm an automotive industry enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the car rental market, particularly in Florida. My understanding of the subject is grounded in both industry trends and the intricate dynamics of individual rental companies. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, as I've closely followed the developments in the car rental sector.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
1. Car Rental Market in Florida:
- The article highlights Florida as the most competitive car rental market globally. This statement is corroborated by Melodye Blancett-Scott, spokeswoman for Thrifty Car Rental, underlining the intense competition within the state.
2. Consumer Preferences:
- Despite the allure of convertibles for the beach scene, the article indicates that the majority of visitors opt for the cheapest rental cars. This preference for economical choices is emphasized by Tom Schroder from the American Automobile Association of Florida, who notes that smaller cars, such as economy models, make more financial sense for vacationers.
3. Popular Rental Cars:
- The most popular rental cars vary among companies. Thrifty Car Rental's top choice is the Chrysler LeBaron convertible, while other companies like Alamo Rent A Car favor economy models such as the Geo Prism, Chevy Cavalier, Buick Park Avenue, and Cadillac DeVille.
4. Rental Durations:
- The article emphasizes that tourists often rent cars for a week or longer, with weekly rates being more economical than daily rates. This insight is provided by Brad Partridge, vice president of Value Rent-A-Car.
5. Company Ownership and Influence:
- The ownership structure of rental car companies plays a significant role in the popularity of specific car models. For instance, Ford's 49 percent ownership of Hertz is cited as the reason behind Hertz's preference for the Ford Tempo. Alamo, an independently owned major U.S. rental car company, claims to rent more cars than any other company in Florida.
6. Manufacturer Ownership:
- Several major rental companies are owned by automotive manufacturers, such as General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler Corp. This ownership allows these companies to promote their own cars. Alamo, being independent, is positioned differently, boasting more than 90 percent of its rentals as GM makes.
7. Unique Cases:
- Value Rent-A-Car stands out as an exception, being 80-percent owned by a Japanese automaker, Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi's acquisition of the company in 1990 sparked a legal battle, but Value Rent-A-Car's top rental in Florida is now the Mitsubishi Galant.
8. Market Leaders:
- Alamo claims to rent more cars than any other company in Florida, surpassing even Hertz in the local market.
In conclusion, the article paints a vivid picture of the competitive and dynamic car rental landscape in Florida, influenced by consumer preferences, rental durations, company ownership structures, and manufacturer affiliations. This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the factors driving the popularity of specific car models in the region.
