Newsroom

Europcar drives into New Zealand

Melbourne, May 5, 2005.

Europe's leading car rental brand, Europcar is coming to New Zealand.

Europcar Asia Pacific announced today that it had purchased the National Car Rental business in New Zealand operated as a joint venture between Barnett Transport Systems and Europcar Australia.

Europcar Asia Pacific acquired the Europcar Australia side of the NZ National business in December when it purchased the Asia Pacific master franchise from Europcar International, the largest franchise of its kind let by Europcar International.

The brilliant green Europcar brand will soon appear at National's 19 locations in New Zealand with the new owners taking over a fleet of 1000 vehicles and linking all locations to the group's reservations and operations management system in Melbourne.

CEO of Europcar Asia Pacific, Doug Hunt said Europcar in New Zealand would provide an important synergy for travellers on the Europe-Australia-New Zealand route.

"We are now the biggest brand in Europe, in terms of market share, so we have a large customer base there," he said. "Most European travellers link Australia and New Zealand so now we can provide a seamless service, which also works for outbound New Zealand travellers who have a strong affinity with Australia, Europe and the UK."

In the short to medium term, we will have the Europcar brand throughout Asia.

Europcar Asia Pacific has a preferred operator status with Australia-New Zealand carrier, Pacific Blue, and with Virgin Blue in Australia.

Europcar is 100% owned by Volkswagen and last year won market leadership in Europe. Previously it was owned as a joint venture by Volkswagen and Accor, which has a worldwide alliance with Europcar.

The Asia Pacific master franchise created a regional business with 800 employees, 13,000 vehicles and in excess of AUD$150 million in system revenues.

The transaction included the acquisition of existing Europcar master franchises in nine countries including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

It also includes master franchise rights for over 20 as yet unpenetrated countries including amongst others, India, The Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Europcar operations will be established in those countries over a period of three to five years.