“Whoever last rented a car about four years ago won’t even recognize the process.” The phrase said by Antonio Augusto Santos, marketing director of the car rental company Localiza, summarizes the recent transformation that has taken place in the sector. And everything goes through digitization.
The emergence of startups, which allow you to rent and remove cars through your cell phone screen, without any physical contact, was already forcing traditional companies such as Localiza, which has been operating in Brazil for 48 years, to modernize.
The pandemic accelerated the movement – ​​without being able to travel by plane or bus, Brazilians rediscovered domestic tourism and sought rental cars as an alternative. According to the Brazilian Association of Car Rental Companies (Abla), the number of users in 2021 grew 12.3% compared to the previous year.
“Even now, with the reopening of tourism, the significant increase in air ticket prices continues to be reflected in strong demand for rented cars”, explains Paulo Miguel Junior, managing counselor of Abla, which brings together 800 associates in the country.
According to Jamyl Jarrus, Movida’s director of sales and marketing, the average time spent with vehicles almost doubled in that period – from four nights to seven.
“Before, families went to Rio de Janeiro by plane, rented a car there, used it for three days and returned to São Paulo by plane. Now, they go and return by car”, he exemplifies.
The process of opening a registration, choosing a car and getting behind the wheel is getting faster and simpler. The long forms of the past have given way to apps that promise fast, hassle-free approval.
“Whoever uses the Localiza Fast app registers with a selfie, unlocks the car with their cell phone, takes the keys from the glove compartment and leaves. The reservation is made through the app or the website, all online”, says Santos.
Digitization also brought the flexibility of contracts along. Customers of startup Turbi, which has been operating in Brazil for four years, can choose between daily or hourly packages. Rates already include fuel and tag for free passage at tolls.
Despite the salty price of fuel, the large SUVs, the famous SUVs, are the thing of the moment – ​​more economical engines and plenty of space for families make the cost-benefit ratio advantageous.
Electric vehicles, on the other hand, should take a little longer to gain scale in the sector. They are now available for rental – Movida is proud to have the largest fleet of electrified passenger cars, with 800 units, and aims to have them represent 20% of all inventory by 2030.
But, for now, this type of vehicle remains more suitable for circulating within large cities.
“Brazil has problems with the electrical infrastructure network. São Paulo is one of the most advanced states, but even here it is not safe to put such a car on the road. There are few stations with charging stations, and they may be being used, causing that the person has to wait two, three hours for their turn”, evaluates Jarrus.
The pandemic also made companies change their focus – if corporate contracts focused much of the attention of rental companies, today the effort is to attract more and more individuals on vacation.
Created by Localiza, the Vai por Mim portal offers tourist itineraries within Brazil, with discounts on airline tickets, hotels, gas stations, park tickets and even accommodation for pets.
Check out the infrastructure and rates for renting cars at three major companies below.
moved
Fleet: 191 thousand vehicles, in the hatch, sedan, SUV and premium categories.
Pickup and Return: 216 stores, in all states.
Facilities: cars equipped with wifi, 27-hour daily, digital check-in (pick-up still depends on physical service).
Rates: from R$ 82.70 per day.
locate
Fleet: 220 thousand automobiles.
Pickup and Return: 544 stores in all Brazilian states.
Facilities: 100% digital process through the Localiza Fast app; Complimentary hours for loyalty program customers.
Rates: from R$ 125.90 per day.
turbo
Fleet: 1500 vehicles.
Pickup and Return: 311 24-hour street parking lots, malls and partner stores in São Paulo, Guarulhos, Santo André, São Caetano, São Bernardo, Osasco, Barueri and Taboão da Serra.
Facilities: 100% digital process, fuel included (the lessor must return the car with at least ¼ of the tank), ConectCar tag (toll expenses must be paid when returning the car), pet kit (seat protector and five security) included in the rate.
Rates: from R$189.97 for the 48-hour package (from R$13 per additional hour).
