If size really matters, big is best for all the family

Multi-purpose vehicles by Jane Archer

People carriers offer spacious travel option

If size really matters, big is best for all the family

IMAGINE a car with lots of seats that allows people to travel without being squash-ed beneath two weeks’ worth of holiday luggage.

Renault did, and in the late 1980s, it was one of the first manufacturers to produce what has become known as a people carrier or multi-purpose vehicle – a large van-style car that holds between seven and nine passengers.

Today nearly every manufacturer has one on its assembly line and every rental company includes some in the fleet.

Budget International vice-president sales and marketing Roeland Moens said multi-purpose vehicles are very popular.

“They are a great family vehicle and very practical,” he said. “Parents can relax in the front knowing the children have plenty of space in the back. Most of the vehicles have pull-down tables for each seat so they can play games or draw. It is a unique way of travelling.”

If all the seats are in place, there is not much room for luggage but Moens said unwanted seats can be taken out when the renter collects the vehicle. “They can be lifted in and out very easily and if you take out some of the seats, there is a substantial amount of space for luggage,” he said.

Connect managing director Adrian Duthie said many have built-in child seats, which saves requesting booster seats at the time of booking.

“Multi-purpose vehicles are the second largest rental group we do after the cheapest cars, especially in the US. They are popular in Europe with skiers and golfers because you can get all your equipment in the back,” he added.

Suncars commercial manager Colin Williams said customers find the idea of driving a multi-purpose vehicle less daunting than a minibus.

“The word minibus conjures up images of a Ford Transit, but you see people carriers on the roads in the UK all the time so clients are less nervous about them,” he added.

Williams suggested agents should target them at families and couples travelling together, for instance on a villa holiday.

But Hertz UK head of leisure sales Kim Buchanan noticed a different potential market. “We have seen a trend for smaller groups, say five friends, to choose multi-purpose vehicles. Unlike family members, they won’t be sharing suitcases so a big vehicle is the sensible option,” she said.

Spaced out: as well as having lots of room for thefamily’s luggage, multi-purpose vehicles give thechildren plenty of space to relax in