Hertz Teams Up With Optimus To Promote International Car Rental In Pakistan

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Jan 29, 2014, 08:00 ET

LONDON, Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ), the world's leading general use car rental brand, has appointed Optimus Limited as its General Sales Agent (GSA) to grow outbound car rentals from Pakistan to more than 8,800 Hertz locations in 150 countries.

The Hertz Corporation is the first major car rental company to appoint an outbound representative in Pakistan, which has seen a steady rise in expenditure on outbound travel in recent years¹.

Michel Taride, Group President, Hertz International, said: "This partnership reinforces the message of Hertz's market leadership in Pakistan and extends our broad range of products and services, not just domestically but internationally, to meet the needs of discerning and savvy travellers."

Optimus, Pakistan's market leader for domestic car rental operations, is also the Hertz Corporation's Pakistan licensee, offering domestic car rental from nine locations in five main cities.

Optimus has established a new business unit to focus more on outbound car rentals for the world's sixth most populous country, in which Hertz is already a global mobility solutions provider to many multinational companies. This new business unit comprises a 24-by-7 international reservations team dedicated to servicing the travel trade, corporate market and direct customers.

Since January 2012, Optimus has built up significant momentum, with over PKR 12.5 million generated from direct retail business. Irfan Ahmad, Chief Operation Officer, Optimus Limited, said that the company is excited at the possibilities.

The economy of Pakistan is the 27th largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) and 44th largest in terms of nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"With our extensive corporate customer base, alliances with leading travel businesses and a strong network of offices across Pakistan, Hertz will have the first mover advantage to tap on this huge potential from a global sales perspective," said Ahmad.

Besides sedans, Hertz offers an extensive selection from its Hertz Collections, such as Prestige, Adrenaline, Fun, Family and Green Traveler, allowing customers to book the exact model of choice. This will appeal to the growing needs of savvy Pakistani business travellers into USA, Canada and Europe.

Customers who book in advance can enjoy discounted, guaranteed rates at more than 8,800 locations worldwide. Online bookings can be made through www.hertz.com.pk, while phone bookings can be made via local toll-free line 0800-43789. Reservations are also available for bookings at all Global Distribution Systems (GDS) in Pakistan.

No down payment is required for reservations as customers have the option to pay at the end of their rental. Promotional offers are available to all customers residing in Pakistan and are valid only when booked before departure.

About Hertz
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,800 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 150 countries. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 111 major airports in Europe. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,580 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 80 countries. Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine's readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat's 2013/14 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 10 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com. Product and services such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, NeverLost®, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company's Adrenaline, Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation and operates the Hertz On Demand car sharing business. The Company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services.

About Optimus
Optimus Limited is the exclusive licensee of Hertz in Pakistan, launched in 2005, and rapidly became the leading company in the country with the largest share of market, spanning 9 offices in 5 cities. Now, being recognized as the largest vehicle rental and operating lease company, Hertz has become the partner of choice for leading corporate entities including a majority of multinational companies.

Hertz contacts:

Contact U.S.:
Paula Rivera
(201) 307-2824
[email protected]

Contact International:
Zoe White
+44 1895 553 887
[email protected]

¹ World Travel and Tourism Council (2013)

http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/downloads/pakistan2013_1.pdf

SOURCE The Hertz Corporation