Imports Now Out Number Domestics In Rental Car Fleets

So, does this mean we can see even further drops in the resale values of Toyotas, Nissans, Hyundais and Kias?

— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 1:38:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Didn't the US manufacturers announce about a year or two ago that they were actively reducing their fleet sales? At the time they were saying there was hardly any margin in that and it pushed the residuals/resale values lower and that negatively affected the sale of new vehicles.
If indeed they were correct in their statements back then, then maybe this is good news for Detroit.

— SP2Hybrid (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 2:04:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

It is amazing how the tide has turned in almost every avenue for the domestics. Domestics were once panned for having too many rental "fleet" models, and how that didn't set well with most on this forum especially. Will there be a huge defect from imports because of this? No. Individuals are too smart to be one issue type. But it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the near future.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 3:41:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

To help keep resale value higher, we have closed dealerships that are sub performing, and about three years ago which by default made us number two in the world ruduceed the number of fleet sales to rentals and others.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 3:49:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Part of it may be that they couldn't get their hands on any domestic vehicles due to plant idlings.

The only two foreign brands/cars I see in rental fleets are Toyota Camry/Yaris and Mazda 6.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 8:54:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I forgot, I see a good number of Hyundai Sonatas as rentals too.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/23/2009 9:03:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Hm,went down to fl on vacation this year and saw mostly american cars as rentals (lots of v6 mustangs and caravans). In ny i see mostly american cars as well.

— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/24/2009 1:21:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

In MI we see a mix between the two, I geuss it depends on who you rent from and the area you live in. I know certain rental companys only use American cars.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 7/24/2009 9:39:47 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

my accountant brother in honolulu used to know a guy who ran a rental car operation. they preferred toyotas because they LASTED LONGER with less maintenance. on his recommendation, my brother switched from nissans to toyotas for himself and his wife.

this was some TWENTY YEARS ago.

some fleet operators pick cars by LOW COSTS or great deals offered by the mfgrs. some focus on minimal OPERATING EXPENSES.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 7/25/2009 8:03:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Doesn't the Prius row look they are all wearing a smile. Back to the topic ., what do they mean , they will not be all American . According to the Toyota promoters , the Camry is as Amrican as apple pie . Funny how the word foreign can have a blurred meaning at times

— toolatetorace (View Profile)

Posted on 7/25/2009 2:19:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0