Kenya: Simba Vehicle Rental Revamps Local AVIS Services
By Peter Omondi
Nairobi, Kenya--A leading local integrated business group which just a few years ago acquired the exclusive rights to operate one of the world’s leading car rental service franchises in Kenya has embarked on a business revamping process for its operations.
Simba Colt Motors through its fully owned subsidiary Simba Vehicle Rental Limited is the local “AVIS Rent A Car” franchise holder in Kenya providing business and leisure customers, both locally and globally, with a range of car rental solutions from its three locations in Nairobi and two in Mombasa which includes both the Jomo Kenyatta International Airports in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
The move to fast track the revamping of AVIS as part of Simba Colt Motors Group’s more than KES 1 billion (US$12.5 million) ongoing substantial investments in the tourism and hospitality industry. As part of a wider group strategy to diversify its business portfolio, Simba Colt Motors is undertaking major investments in the tourism sector.
Speaking when he confirmed further efforts geared at boosting AVIS growth on the local market, Simba Colt Motors Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Adil Popat disclosed that “AVIS Rent A Car” through Simba Vehicle Rental will continue to provide a superior car rental service featuring a fleet of top of the range BMW and Mitsubishi vehicles.
In Kenya, AVIS will be managed by Mr. Kirit Thakker a veteran hospitality management expert.
At AVIS Rent A Car, Popat explained that the provision of premier class car hire and related value added services such as executive chauffeur driven rentals will continue to be the firms hall mark and differentiating factor.
“At Avis Rent A Car Kenya, ‘we try harder’ to provide business and leisure customers with a unique and most superior car rental solutions tailored to meet individual and corporate needs,” Popat said.
And added: “We have heavily invested in the deployment of top of the range vehicles to ensure that we meet the expectations of our clientele within AVIS Rent A Car System Global standards.”
In addition AVIS Kenya vehicles have been fitted with car tracking devices from Africa Fleet Management Solutions (AFMS) for extra client security.
Globally, Avis Rent A Car System and its subsidiaries operate one of the world's leading car rental brands, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services at approximately 2,200 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Latin American / Caribbean region.
AVIS is reputed to be one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty, ranking as the number one car rental company in the Brand Keys® Customer Loyalty Engagement Index for the past eleven years.
Founded in 1946 by Warren Avis, and renown for its global footprint, Avis was the first company to rent cars from airport locations. The company grew rapidly during the 1950's through franchised and corporate-owned expansion.
Last year, Avis Rent A Car received multiple accolades at the 2009 World Travel Awards, described as the 'Oscars' of the global travel and tourism industry.
For the fourth consecutive year, Avis was late last year named the "World's Leading Business Car Rental Company” and the "North America's Leading Car Hire".