04 July 2008

Hertz to operate 500 Toyota Prius Hybrids in Aus

Hertz Australia has announced that they will operate almost 500 hybrid Toyota Prius sedans by August 2008.

After introducing the Prius late last year in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Hertz has progressively added the vehicles into its rental fleets in Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Cairns.

The Prius can travel up to 100 kilometres on just 4.4 litres of petrol, and as far as 1,000 kilometres on one tank of fuel.

It also emits up to 55 per cent less carbon monoxide than conventionally powered vehicles of similar size, and is one of the quietest vehicles currently available, with its Continuously Variable Transmission system eliminating the need for gear changes.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe Prius has taken the market by stealth,Ã¢â¬~ said Wayne Burgoyne, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hertz Australia.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœBusiness and leisure customers who have rented the Prius have been very pleasantly surprised by its low fuel consumption and quiet operation,Ã¢â¬~ said Mr Burgoyne.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThey have been equally impressed that the Prius maintains the comfort, performance and safety standards of similar-sized conventionally-powered vehicles, including seating for up to five passengers, dual front SRS airbags, air conditioning, power-operated windows and mirrors, six-speaker CD /radio and cruise control.Ã¢â¬~

Hertz has more than 8,000 locations in almost 150 countries, including more than 220 in Australia. The Toyota Prius can be rented from selected mainland locations, subject to availability. Hertz Car Sales, which sells former Hertz rental vehicles direct to the public, has also started selling low-mileage Toyota Prius sedans. Hertz Car Sales has outlets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

For more information or to make a Hertz car booking, contact a travel agent; call the Hertz Australia toll-free reservations number, 13 30 39; visit a Hertz rental desk at your destination; or visit www.hertz.com.au. For more information about the Toyota Prius, visit www.toyota.com.au.

A Report by The Mole