Who says a Prius is a waste of Money??

sulman · 01-03-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyKB

Well, those 300 are in Australia. I venture that Hertz doesn't have nearly so many cars there. It's probably a sizable purchase in comparison to the Aussie Hertz fleet.

One does wonder how many Prii are in the major car rental company fleets in America.

Ah yes. I think you are right...300 in Australia (although that point is not clear from the article).

I found another article saying they are buying 3400 for their US fleet...So that's about one percent of their US fleet...not too bad, but still only a small start.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007...adding_34.html

I'm curious as to how many sub 20 mpg vehicles they added.

patsparks · 01-03-2008, 10:09 AM

What I found interesting was that people are asking for them.

Remember Prius is a pretty expensive car here, a base model being $7400 more than a base Camry. Most car hire companies in Australia deal with base model vehicles unless you get into prestige cars so for Hertz Australia to be hiring the Prius out for less than the Camry, remembering Hertz do not get the benefit of great mileage, is pretty amazing.
PS, I used Hertz hire cars for 2 out of 3 visits to the UK, both cars were very economical models, a Vauxhall Meriva and a VW Polo, both were excelent cars, the Polo had a 1.2 litre engine and sat at 80mph on the motorway easy.

sulman · 01-03-2008, 10:23 AM

I find it interesting that Hertz keeps the average vehicle for only 9 months (10 in the US). They alone are turning over half million vehicles annually. The entire industry must be turning over millions annually.

patsparks · 01-03-2008, 10:35 AM

They have connections with the manufacturers and are able to negotiate such good prices to get a makers cars in their fleet that a short turn around minimises the depreciation and cost of the vehicle to the hire company.

When I did my apprenticeship with the South Australian Highways Department we sold fleet cars after 40,000km or 1.5 years, because the government paid no federal sales tax on the new cars and there was no federal sales tax on used cars, the cars were sold at a profit! That was too expensive so now they lease their cars???

sulman · 01-03-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

They have connections with the manufacturers and are able to negotiate such good prices

Connections? Yahoo! GM owned Hertz. Then Ford owned Hertz. I'll say they have connections.

patsparks · 01-03-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulman

Connections? Yahoo! GM owned Hertz. Then Ford owned Hertz. I'll say they have connections.

Nice quote out of context, what is your point?

sulman · 01-03-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sulman

Connections? Yahoo! GM owned Hertz. Then Ford owned Hertz. I'll say they have connections.

I'm just emphasizing your point about the connections.

You are spot on...it is all about cost of ownership. They wouldn't be buying the Prii if they were losing money when they turned them over nine months down the road.

I think it's a good thing that Ford had to sell Hertz (for financal reasons). Now instead of Ford influencing which cars Hertz rents, perhaps Hertz can influence which cars Ford sells.

patsparks · 01-03-2008, 11:04 AM

Hire company ownership is a great way to add volume to production by stocking a high turnover business with most of its cars. I think that's why struggling car manufacturers buy hire car companies.

richard schumacher · 01-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGGDOGG

I do leave my car running for a couple min everymorning before I head out to work.

That's been putting a real dent in your MPGs. You could have driven a mile or more in those couple minutes, right? Just start it up and go.

Tire pressures of 42/40 PSI front/rear also improve MPGs noticeably. Whatever you use remember to check them at least monthly.

David Beale · 01-03-2008, 11:05 AM

Fear not, re your calculations.

First, the Pathfinder -needs- premium gas. Mine did. I called it the anti-Prius. It was a 2001 LE 4WD.

Second the Pathfinder burns 14 l/100 km summer and 17 l/100 km winter. My Prius burns 4.3 l/100 km summer and so far 6.5 l/100 km winter. I have a block heater (called EBH by those in non-block heater country - a little superfluous as all practical automotive block heaters are electric) but I don't bother to use it, as I can't predict when I'll be driving my car.

Third, I find my Prius has more usable room than the Pathfinder ever did. Easier to drive, easier on gas, more adaptable interior.

Hey, the oil company rear end kissers need -something- to say to try to diss hybrids! They're trying, VERY trying.

01-03-2008, 10:09 AM	#12
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,905 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Re: Who says a Prius is a waste of Money?? What I found interesting was that people are asking for them. Remember Prius is a pretty expensive car here, a base model being $7400 more than a base Camry. Most car hire companies in Australia deal with base model vehicles unless you get into prestige cars so for Hertz Australia to be hiring the Prius out for less than the Camry, remembering Hertz do not get the benefit of great mileage, is pretty amazing. PS, I used Hertz hire cars for 2 out of 3 visits to the UK, both cars were very economical models, a Vauxhall Meriva and a VW Polo, both were excelent cars, the Polo had a 1.2 litre engine and sat at 80mph on the motorway easy. __________________ All the warranty I need. And for thrills -> Still averaging 4.4L/100km across town 2004 silver base model Prius Shark fin, genuine mudflaps, colour matched side mouldings, rear bumper scuff guard, sheepskin seats, BT Plate. I love it!

01-03-2008, 10:23 AM	#13
sulman Introspectator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ooltewah Posts: 75 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Who says a Prius is a waste of Money?? I find it interesting that Hertz keeps the average vehicle for only 9 months (10 in the US). They alone are turning over half million vehicles annually. The entire industry must be turning over millions annually. Last edited by sulman; 01-03-2008 at 10:32 AM.

01-03-2008, 10:35 AM	#14
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,905 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Re: Who says a Prius is a waste of Money?? They have connections with the manufacturers and are able to negotiate such good prices to get a makers cars in their fleet that a short turn around minimises the depreciation and cost of the vehicle to the hire company. When I did my apprenticeship with the South Australian Highways Department we sold fleet cars after 40,000km or 1.5 years, because the government paid no federal sales tax on the new cars and there was no federal sales tax on used cars, the cars were sold at a profit! That was too expensive so now they lease their cars???

01-03-2008, 11:04 AM	#18
patsparks Uneducated bird-brain Aussie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 4,905 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Re: Who says a Prius is a waste of Money?? Hire company ownership is a great way to add volume to production by stocking a high turnover business with most of its cars. I think that's why struggling car manufacturers buy hire car companies.

01-03-2008, 11:05 AM	#20
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,551 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Who says a Prius is a waste of Money?? Fear not, re your calculations. First, the Pathfinder -needs- premium gas. Mine did. I called it the anti-Prius. It was a 2001 LE 4WD. Second the Pathfinder burns 14 l/100 km summer and 17 l/100 km winter. My Prius burns 4.3 l/100 km summer and so far 6.5 l/100 km winter. I have a block heater (called EBH by those in non-block heater country - a little superfluous as all practical automotive block heaters are electric) but I don't bother to use it, as I can't predict when I'll be driving my car. Third, I find my Prius has more usable room than the Pathfinder ever did. Easier to drive, easier on gas, more adaptable interior. Hey, the oil company rear end kissers need -something- to say to try to diss hybrids! They're trying, VERY trying. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.