Tag: New Zealand

Tough time for rental car companies as Christchurch earthquake takes its toll

Rental car companies are feeling the aftershocks of the Christchurch earthquake in branches nationwide. Entire schedules were disrupted as vehicles went missing due to drivers being unable to drop vehicles off at central city depots.

A number of prominent rental agencies have only just been able to access trapped and damaged stock; relocating vehicles to depots outside of the central city. Issues arose as vehicles that would normally be returned with a full tank of gas came back empty as petrol stations were closed and inaccessible.

A representative from Quick-y-Clean Car Detailing mentioned that such a simple thing as cleaning the campervans was impossible as power and water shortages covered most of the city leaving vehicles unable to be groomed for the next occupant. Phone lines and internet access are down leaving companies unable to operate and functioning on mobiles.

Continue reading Tough time for rental car companies as Christchurch earthquake takes its toll

Hertz considering a green future

The Hertz Corporation has its eyes set on a greener future for the rental car industry, but has admitted that there is no magic bullet to achieve this.

“There is not a single solution to the green issue,” Hertz International president Michel Taride told e-Travel Blackboard.

In Sydney for the announcement of Hertz’s acquisition of Ace Rental cars and alliance with Apollo Motorhomes, Mr Taride said “the move to electric cars is not a simple process”, but added that the elements required for its success “are all converging”.

Read the full article at Travel Blackboard

Hertz acquires Ace, joins with Apollo

In a move signaling its expansion into the Australian and New Zealand market, Hertz today announced the acquisition of budget car rental company Ace Rental Cars and an alliance with Apollo Motorhome Holidays.

At a press conference in Sydney, visiting Hertz International president Michel Taride said the two ventures were steps in Hertz’s plans to diversify the company’s brand and product offerings.

Read the full article courtesy of Travel Blackboard Australia

Tips and tricks on how to save fuel while driving

Often AA has some great little articles about travelling NZ that relocation drivers and budget conscious travellers can benefit from.  Here’s one of those articles I think may be well worth reading.

I have given you the main points but read the full article to see why they recommend these strategies.

Continue reading Tips and tricks on how to save fuel while driving

How to request your free standby relocation car or campervan with Transfercar

For all our new or prospective relocation drivers, here’s a little bit of info on how to request a standby car or campervan on transfercar .co.nz and transfercar.com.au.

Step 1: Register as a driver.

  • Remember to sign up for email alerts for specific routes you are looking for or just to hear what new vehicles are being listed daily.

Step 2: Log in to transfercar.com.au or transfercar.co.nz and look for the relocation car or campervan that suits your destination.

  • Be aware that the dates specified are the earliest and latest pick up and drop off dates  and you are given a certain amount of days between these dates to drive the vehicles.

Continue reading How to request your free standby relocation car or campervan with Transfercar

Parking Overnight in a Campervan

I just received a question regarding parking overnight on the side of the road in a campervan. I did my research nz-campervan-no-camping-219x300and have found the answers I was looking for:

  • Locals don’t like people camping on the streets in their towns (And you really don’t want to be making trouble with the locals!).
  • Many towns have local by laws prohibiting overnight camping, and you’ll be woken at 4-5am and told to move on.
  • If there are no signs indicating you are allowed to park on the side of the road, you should not assume that it is acceptable to stop and park.
  • Most towns have motor parks, and camping grounds where you can park, and there are many opportunities for “Freedom Camping” outside of towns and built up areas.
  • Alongside rivers and lakes (except within a town boundary) or in designated camping areas within National Parks, you are welcome to camp to your heart’s content.

Just please make sure you have toilet facilities (no dumping in the bushes if you can help it) with you and also take all your rubbish when you leave!!

If you want to find out more, click here…