GAUTENG, JOHANNESBURG, 22 NOVEMBER 2018 - First Car Rental, a pioneer in advanced customer-centric technology that enhances the renter experience, reducing effort, saving time and increasing efficiency, has announced a preferred partnership with The Capital Hotels and Apartments, one of the largest providers of fully-serviced luxury apartments and hotel rooms in the country.

Announcing the partnership, Melissa Nortje, First Car Rental's Executive Head of Strategy, Development and Marketing, said, "This partnership is an unequivocal meeting of minds aligned to our business strategies, and a perfect fit within existing travel partners such as FlySafair, the most on-time airline in the world. I believe, together, we fulfil an efficient and affordable travel partnership, ideal for both the corporate and leisure sector, extending a first-class travel solution covering air and ground transportation as well as accommodation. The real deal."

Since its inception in 2008, The Capital Hotels and Apartments has achieved outstanding success in the corporate hotel industry. Nationally, they have multiple properties in key locations, including eight apartment hotels. The Capital Empire, The Capital On The Park, The Capital 20 West, and The Capital Moloko, in Sandton. The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, in Rosebank, The Capital On Bath, Cape Town The Capital Mirage and Umhlanga the The Capital Pearls.

The Capital Hotels and Apartments Managing Director, Marc Wachsberger, revealed he had already begun looking at countries in Southern Africa. "We aim to open two new properties every year, expanding to all the major cities across South Africa. We also have plans to expand into Southern Africa soon" he said.

This dynamic brand, of similar size to First Car Rental with close on 500 employees each, is anchored in challenging hotel norms and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, which means quick decisions, no bureaucracy, and an agile entrepreneurial approach at every level, giving them the edge when opportunities arise. First Car Rental's management structure is very similar and allows them flexibility and fluidity at crucial times, which have left some competitors floundering.

A major challenge in the South African travel industry is cost management for guests. Corporates are tightening their belts and procurement managers are implementing stringent cost-cutting measures. Consumers are looking for real value for money and they are faced with overpriced offerings that often don't meet their travel needs.

Nadine Damen, The Capital Hotels and Apartments' Director of Marketing, says, "We give travellers everything they need, and nothing they don't. We offer value-added services that business travellers really appreciate such as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary secure parking, and laundry services. Much like First Car Rental's corporate quick check-out facility called Show&Go, which guarantees fast, effortless car hire, we have eliminated the unnecessary and focus on the things that really matter without compromising the guest experience."

First Car Rental chooses to stay at The Capital Hotels & Apartments and look forward to extending preferred accommodation partnership deals to loyal renters in the near future.

-- ENDS --

About The Capital Hotels and Apartments

Since its inception in 2008, The Capital Hotels and Apartments (The Capital) has achieved outstanding success in the corporate hotel industry.

The Capital is one of the largest providers of fully serviced luxury apartments and hotel rooms in the country.

* National operation with multiple properties in key locations, including eight apartment hotels in Sandton, Menlyn, Rosebank, Cape Town and Umhlanga

* Fastest growing group in South Africa, opening on average two new hotels each year

* The only hybrid operator in South Africa, with fully serviced luxury apartments (1 500+ rooms)

* Revolutionized the market by offering solutions for short, medium and long-term travellers (including families)

* Cost-effective frills-free accommodation tailored to modern business travel needs

* Owner-managed with a flat management structure, which means quick decisions, no bureaucracy, and an agile entrepreneurial approach at every level

* A disruptive and dynamic brand anchored in breaking hotel norms and fostering entrepreneurial spirit

* A proudly South African business (approx. 460+ employees), focused on identifying opportunities for growth to provide jobs in the future

For more information, visit www.thecapital.co.za

If you are renting a car this summer, don't forget to pack your patience, unless of course, you are hiring from First Car Rental, who this week, launched South Africa’s first ever Car Hire Self-Service at major branches across the country.

Our new self-service car hire, available at our major branches, is fast, efficient, convenient and paperless. Complete your renter profile at the branch, thereafter, it’s your new way of life! Book online, go straight to a self-service touchscreen, choose the car you want, sign on the screen and you are checked out, all in under 30 seconds.” 

Self-Service has been piloted at OR Tambo for the past 4 months with select methods of payment and is now ready for all market segments. Self-Service Car Hire gives the renter the independence to take control of their rental journey. The experience starts when booking a rental online, either at the office, home or on their smartphone.

At pick-up, the renter heads straight to the self-service touchscreen, selects their car of choice, signs on the screen, and the checkout is complete, all in under 30 seconds. The launch phase entails dual-view screens to allow agents to assist renters with their first self-service checkout.

We are data-driven and propelled forward by what our customers ultimately tell us they want. We really listen. Renters want independence, choice, convenience and efficiency with first-world technology – like the world they live in. We listened, conceptualised, and innovated.

Our Self-Service Car Hire is First-World. We know our customers and we trust them and are proud of this journey together.

www.firstcarrental.co.za   

GAUTENG, JOHANNESBURG, 21 NOVEMBER 2018 - If you are renting a car this summer, don't forget to pack your patience, unless of course, you are hiring from First Car Rental, who this week, launched South Africa’s first ever Car Hire Self-Service at major branches across the country.

Says Melissa Nortje, Executive Head of Strategy, Development & Marketing at First Car Rental, “Our new self-service car hire, available at our major branches, is fast, efficient, convenient and paperless. Complete your renter profile at the branch, thereafter, it’s your new way of life! Book online, go straight to a self-service touchscreen, choose the car you want, sign on the screen and you are checked out, all in under 30 seconds.” 

Self-Service has been piloted at OR Tambo for the past 4 months with select methods of payment and is now ready for all market segments.  

Over the past 18 years, tech-savvy First Car Rental has led from the front in developing an impressive set of ‘first mobility’ facilities and software programmes in the car rental industry.Being first-to-market typically enables a company to establish strong brand recognition and customer loyalty (before competitors enter the arena), as was experienced when First Car Rental launched their first-in-world, first-in-market, Show&Go Corporate Facilities at their airport branches in 2011.   

This showstopper technology is popular with corporate travellers, and for good reason, as it ticks all the boxes that frequent flyers would want and benefit from. It entails companies opening an account with First Car Rental, then ‘mobile-readying’ their key staff who travel.

These staff are then issued a tiered Show&Go card, and never step foot in a branch again. They step off the plane, walk a predetermined route to the Show&Go car park, where an agent is waiting with a tablet. No branch, no queuing and no paperwork. First Car Rental’s Self-Service is available to account or non-account holders.

Nortje is resolute that every tech-product they design must uphold the pillars of innovation excellence with the customer at the centre.

Self-Service Car Hire gives the renter the independence to take control of their rental journey. The experience starts when booking a rental online, either at the office, home or on their smartphone.

At pick-up, the renter heads straight to the self-service touchscreen, selects their car of choice, signs on the screen, and the checkout is complete, all in under 30 seconds. The launch phase entails dual-view screens to allow agents to assist renters with their first self-service checkout.

Nortje explains, “We define exactly what improvements we want to bring about in the customers’ rental experience and then we design for this desired outcome. Approaching innovation this way means the business is customer-led, rather than being constrained by current capabilities.  

“I believe that customer centric is a way of doing business with a customer in a way that provides a positive customer experience, before, during and after the rental, in order to drive repeat business and customer loyalty.  

First Car Rental as a collective is a customer-centric company that offers much more than just excellent service and cars; we are data-driven and propelled forward by what our customers ultimately tell us they want. We really listen. They want independence, choice, convenience and efficiency with first-world technology – like the world they live in. We heard, conceptualised, and innovated. Our Self-Service Car Hire is First-World. We know our customers and we trust them and are proud of our journey together.”

###Words: 565

Editors Notes: First Car Rental is a proudly South African car rental company that has been in business for over 18 years. It has more than 7500 vehicles in use across South Africa and 51 car rental branches located nationwide, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations. It also has operational presence in Malta, Mauritius, Tanzania and Turkey. 

Worldwide, First Car Rental is partnered with SIXT rent a car, one of Europe's largest car hire companies, to provide international car hire in over 100 countries and 4 500 locations. First Car Rental prides itself on a car hire fleet, which comprises an impressive range of well-maintained vehicles ranging from no-frills models to top-of-the-range luxury cars. They also offer services such as direct transfers, long-term car rental and wedding car hire. Keep in touch with First Car Rental Website: www.firstcarrental.co.za

Issued by Hot Salsa Media on behalf of First Car Rental

For more information please contact Viv Quann at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Winning a brand-new Datsun GO has been on the ultimate wishlist for thousands of people across South Africa over the past three months during the FlySafair ‘Give it a GO consumer competition and the First Car Rental ‘GO 4 It’ Booking Agent competition, as both competitions were giving away a brand-new Datsun GO as their main prize! The over 3000 booking agents that took part in the First Car Rental ‘GO 4 It’ competition also received ‘sweet’ monthly aides-mémoires. Every rental they booked with First Car Rental would take them closer to winning a brand-new Datsun GO, and this exactly what the winner, Michelle Palath, a Travel Agent at TBA Travel, did. She kept First Car Rental as her first choice, and boy, is she happy she did! She won a brand-new Datsun GO.  

First Car Rental also gave away three spot prizes during the First Car Rental ‘Go 4 It’ competition. These lucky winners each won return flights for 2 on any FlySafair route, plus car hire for 7 days from any First Car Rental branch nationwide. These lucky people were winners Alwena Viviers from Premier FMCG; Antoinette Egelhof from Turners Travel; and Thandile Ndindwa from Travel with Flair.

Over the same period, First Car Rental’s airline partner, FlySafair, ran their ‘Give it a GO’ competition across its digital platforms to the consumer market, with a little digital help from its favourite car hire company, First Car Rental, and received tens of thousands of entries to win another brand-new Datsun GO. The concept being the more friends you put forward that entered, the more entries you got into the competition.

The lucky winner of the brand-new Datsun GO is the very happy Wallace Starbuck, a driver for PPC Cement.  

###  

Website: www.firstcarrental.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstcarrental
Twitter: www.twitter.com/firstcarrental
Instagram: www.instagram.com/firstcarrental
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/firstcarrental

It’s Now or Never for South Africa’s Rhino                               

For the past number of years, First Car Rental has invested in Rhino initiatives around the country, fighting the probability that future generations may never enjoy Rhino in their natural habitat unless we act now. Rhino have been around for 50 million years. Two species survived the most recent period of glaciation and inhabited Europe as recently as 10,000 years ago – these are the woolly rhinoceros and Elasmotherium. The woolly rhinoceros appeared in China around 1 million years ago and first arrived in Europe around 600,000 years ago.  

The zoo population is also declining, as Northern White Rhino have rarely reproduced in captivity. There are now only three Northern White Rhino left. They all belong to the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, but were transported to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, Africa. In the conservancy, there are 112 black Rhino and the last three Northern White Rhino, of which one is ‘Sudan’, a 100-year-old male Northern White Rhino – the last of his species. The Black Rhino has not fared so well either. As recently as 1970, an estimated 65,000 Black Rhino could be found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but in eastern Africa over 90% were killed in the 70s. Now there are fewer than 2,500 left in small pockets in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania.  IT'S NOW OR NEVER, AND YOU ARE THE SOLUTION. 

First Car Rental launched its 2017 Rhino Campaign called First4Rhino – It’s Now or Never, in support of the Now or Never African Wildlife Trust (NNAWT), an organisation entrusted with helping to save all Rhino. The NNAWT has one mission – Save them all. They endeavour to save all the elephants, rhino and their calves who survive a poaching attack. They will find them with helicopters, care for them in orphanages and release them back into the wild.  Among the founding members of NNAWT are the following organisations and experts: The Rhino Orphanage – the world’s first specialist centre for the care and rehabilitation of orphaned rhino Care for Wild Africa – South Africa’s biggest rhino orphanage and rehabilitation centre Saving the Survivors – World leaders in veterinarian care for wild animals Youth 4 African Wildlife – The future of the struggle, the next generation A digital expert from Google – A company with a global vision for problem solving The founders have identified other organisations to deliver the required services including those who: Rescue Operations: Work in animal rescue with helicopters High-end Security: Train and deploy wildlife security consultants and operatives – the protectors Safe Release Areas: Have the capacity to become a suitable haven The founders of The Now or Never African Wildlife Trust believe it is possible to save every single one of these animals with a plan, an iron will, expertise, and, crucially, with the funds required. First Car Rental, in association with Nissan SA, FlySafair and Anytime Holidays, need your help to raise awareness and funds to help save the near-extinct Black and White Rhino.  Nissan South Africa has been instrumental in the First Car Rental Rhino Campaigns over the past 4 years, supporting these initiatives by sponsoring three Nissan Jukes. These Nissan Jukes are utilised like moving billboards, travelling around the country, all wrapped with instructions for members of the public to get involved.

 First Car Rental #First4Rhino Campaign Overview 2017 Your Mission, should you choose to accept it:Find our wrapped Nissan Juke car and 'Facebook Live' in 30 seconds or less why this mission to fight for our Rhino is important.  Tag @firstcarrental and hashtag #First4Rhino For every video posted, First Car Rental will donate R20 to the NNAWT, and post these videos and messages on their social media channels.  Plus – the best video and a lucky draw video will each win a R30 000 inclusive holiday, courtesy of FlySafair, First Car Rental and Anytime Holidays (Ts&Cs apply). 

RAISE YOUR VOICE AND AWARENESS of the plight of the near-extinct Black and White Rhino. 

• http://www.firstcarrental.co.za/news/first-4-rhino.html
• http://www.firstcarrental.co.za/competitions/first4rhino.html
• http://www.now-or-never-africa.org/

JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – First Car Rental has installed its first solar power plant at First Car Rental Pomona, cementing its continued commitment to reducing its environmental impact.   The solar power plant is located across three large rooftops containing 415 photovoltaic (PV) panels (of 320 Watts ea.) at the Pomona branch, which will produce on average 226.8 MWh of electricity per annum.   The installation company, SolarXgen, started building the solar power plant in November 2016 and took three weeks to complete the project. Guaranteed for 25-yrs, SolarXgen will additionally maintain the solar system for First Car Rental.  

The solar power plant is linked to the power mains via an inverter and offsets the power normally consumed from the utility company. This system does not store power – all the power generated from the PV system at First Car Rental is used on-site.   The solar power plant at First Car Rental Pomona continuously runs in tandem with the utility power grid. During the day, when the solar system outputs power, it becomes the primary provider and the utility is secondary.  

Says Wayne de Jager, Executive Director and co-founder of SolarXgen (South Africa), "The solar power system is monitored via Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) control system and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). These systems allow remote monitoring and reporting. Our management system is able to match PV output to the building's energy demand, ensuring optimally timed consumption."   As electricity costs continue to rise, solar power is becoming a more viable and cost-effective solution.

The installation of the solar power plant at First Car Rental Pomona will elicit an average monthly saving of 52.9% on the cost of electricity. The expected gross savings on electricity over the 25-year lifespan of the solar power plant equates to R28million.   The use of solar power is in line with First Car Rental's decade-long commitment to clean energy and sustainability. Over the guaranteed portion of the plant's lifetime, First Car Rental will be reducing its carbon footprint by 4964 tons of CO2.  

Says Melissa Storey, Executive Head: Strategy, Development & Marketing at First Car Rental, "Over the years, First Car Rental has initiated many environmentally-friendly projects that still exist today. These include, but are not limited to, various energy and water-saving initiatives, saving tens of thousands of litres of water and reducing our carbon emissions by 44 tons per annum.   We also introduced electronic vouchers and online invoice retrieval, and our Customer Services division is a paperless environment, and not to mention our corporate Show&Go mobile checkout is a green initiative.   Renewable energy is critical to our continued fight against climate change. Harnessing solar energy for power generation is a feasible clean energy source.

The solar power plant ensures that First Car Rental Pomona can become self-sustainable regarding its power needs and reduces reliance on the national grid.   This installation and our many successful and ongoing green initiatives demonstrate to staff, and to our current and future customers, that we are 'all in' when it comes to reducing our environmental impact."   ##Ends Editors Notes: First Car Rental is a proudly South African car rental company that has been in business for over 18 years. With more than 8500 vehicles in use across South Africa and 51 car rental branches located nationwide, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations. We also have an operational presence in Malta, Mauritius, Tanzania and Turkey.  

Worldwide, First Car Rental is partnered with SIXT rent a car, one of Europe's largest car hire companies, to provide international car hire in over 100 countries and 4 500 locations.   First Car Rental prides itself on a car hire fleet that comprises of an impressive range of well-maintained vehicles ranging from no-frills models to top-of-the-range luxury cars. They also offer services such as direct transfers, long-term car rental and wedding car hire.  

Keep in touch with First Car Rental

• Website: www.firstcarrental.co.za
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/firstcarrental
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/firstcarrental
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/firstcarrental

Issued by Hot Salsa Media on behalf of First Car Rental

For more information please contact Viv Quann at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

July 2016 - First Car Rental's partnership with Good Fellas means its customers are covered by Good Fellas' and can use their services wherever they may be. This is just one way that First Car Rental is putting the fun back into car hire. Good Fellas' chauffeurs are permitted to drive First Car Rental vehicles without prior notification. Good Fellas is a nationwide chauffeur service that provides renters with a responsible and hassle-free alternative to driving under the influence.

Good Fellas' chauffeurs meet drivers wherever they are and drive them safely home in their own vehicles so that both renter and vehicle make it home, or back to their hotel, safely, in all of South Africa's major cities - Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Nelspruit, Durban, Bloemfontein, East London, Port Elizabeth, George and Cape Town.

About First Car Rental
First Car Rental is a leading South African car rental company with a global presence. The company has 51 car rental branches located across South Africa, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations. We also have an operational presence in Malta, Mauritius, Tanzania and Turkey. Internationally, First Car Rental offers car hire in over 100 countries and 4 500 locations, and in Europe is partnered with Sixt Rent a Car.

To find out more about First Car Rental visit http://www.firstcarrental.co.za

July 2016 - First Car Rental has added three new vehicle models to its car hire fleet, giving customers an even greater choice when hiring a car.

The new models are:

Suzuki Splash - Group A
The Suzuki Splash is a compact city hatchback powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine developing 63kW at 6000rpm. It has excellent fuel economy, at 5.6 litres per 100km. Safety and security features include dual front airbags, ABS brakes and key-operated central locking. The vehicle comes standard with power-steering, a radio CD audio system and air-conditioning. The Suzuki Splash joins the Chevrolet Spark Lite LS, Honda Brio Comfort and Datsun Go in Group A.

Ford B-Max Ambiente - Group R
The Ford B-Max is the brand's all-new practical family vehicle, offering superb fuel economy, lots of space and great safety features. The vehicle is powered by Ford's one-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which Ford says, consumes 4.9 litres per 100km. The vehicle comes with power steering; 5-speed manual transmission; Ford SYNC with Bluetooth and Voice Control; Ford Audio / CD / MP3 with 6 speakers, USB and Aux; 60/40 split rear seats in 7 different folding combinations; adjustable load floor in boot; and air conditioning. The Ford B-Max joins the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Honda Jazz and Renault Clio Expression in Group R. The Ford B-Max is the brand's all-new practical family vehicle, offering superb fuel economy, lots of space and great safety features.

Ford Fusion - Group Z
With its intelligent technology and stylish design, the new Ford Fusion automatic sedan makes every journey feel special. The vehicle is a real looker with a sport coupe profile, low roof and, in Ford's words, "sculpted to convey visual lightness". The Ford Fusion is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and comes standard with Ford's SYNC 2 voice-control, Bluetooth connectivity through a 20cm touchscreen that operates phone, trip entertainment, and aircon. Driving features include lane keeping, which helps the driver to maintain proper lane position; adaptive cruise control using forward-looking radar that "looks" down the road to discern slower traffic and react accordingly; and active park assist, which are sensors that help identify suitable parking slots, calculate the trajectory and steer the car home. Neat! The Ford Fusion joins the Volvo S60 T4 and Volvo V40 in Group Z.

About First Car Rental
First Car Rental is a leading South African car rental company with a global presence. The company has 51 car rental branches located across South Africa, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations. We also have an operational presence in Malta, Mauritius, Tanzania and Turkey. Internationally, First Car Rental offers car hire in over 100 countries and 4 500 locations, and in Europe is partnered with Sixt Rent a Car.

To find out more about First Car Rental visit http://www.firstcarrental.co.za

July 2016 - First Car Rental is excited to announce its official sponsorship deal with Signature Motorsport, one of South Africa's top junior racing teams competing in the 2016 Engen Volkswagen Cup Championship. Over the last four years, Signature Motorsport has won three Engen Volkswagen Cup Championships, and are aiming for a fourth win in 2016. The five talented young drivers on the Signature Motorsport team are:

1. Keagan Masters (16) - currently lying 1st in the Cup Championship
2. Chris Shorter (19) - currently lying 2nd in the Cup Championship
3. Matt Shorter (16)
4. Bradley Liebenberg (17)
5. Jurie Swart (18)

The Engen Volkswagen Cup Championship is purely about driver skill, with each competitor driving the exact same vehicle - a VW Polo. Round 4 of the Cup Championship took place at the prestigious East London Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday, 9 July 2016. Three of the young Signature Motorsport drivers finished in the top 5. Bradley Liebenberg won the race, followed by Matt Shorter in second and Jurie Swart fourth.

About First Car Rental
First Car Rental is a leading South African car rental company with a global presence. The company has 51 car rental branches located across South Africa, including branches at all major South African airports, business and tourist destinations. We also have an operational presence in Malta, Mauritius, Tanzania and Turkey. Internationally, First Car Rental offers car hire in over 100 countries and 4 500 locations, and in Europe is partnered with Sixt Rent a Car.

To find out more about First Car Rental visit http://www.firstcarrental.co.za