Report by Lydia Wilson
BOSSES at National Car Rental have warned of price increases
across the industry in the coming year to reflect a struggling market.
Pan European general manager John Leigh predicts that car
rental operators will have to ensure maximum fleet usage in order to maintain
profit margins, which means pre-booking will become increasingly important.
“If you go to an airport today and ask for a car, you might
not get one,” he said.
“That is how the industry is reacting to the need for efficiency.”
National is preparing for the predicted changes by making
its on-line reservation system more flexible for business travellers.