Avis opens rental station at Hong Qiao Airport

Avis is opening a brand new location at Hong Qiao Airport in Shanghai. Avis is the only global car rental company currently operating in China with 13 locations in eight cities; Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing. Guangzhou and Shenzen.

Avis China offers a range of affordable services including:

a. point to point transfers (airport to office or hotel)
b. daily rental (self drive and with-driver)
c. new and used car leasing for one to three years (self drive and with-driver)

In addition, Avis China provides simple and easy services, including a national Chinese and English hotline, online booking facilities and meet-and-greet services. It also places high focus on safety and reliability, including the provision of 24-hour roadside assistance, detailed pre-rental vehicle checks and a top quality driver training programme.

Avis’ business in China differs to that in the west, with higher demand for the company’s with-driver product, where in addition to the car, Avis customers gain the benefit of a driver included in the price of the rental. A Chinese driving license is required to drive in China and Avis recommends that all western travellers rent a with-driver vehicle to avoid difficulties caused by driving in a country with differing laws, language and alphabet.

Avis is continuously looking for ways to enhance its service to improve the customer experience. Recently Avis China introduced a new Driver Academy Programme which includes training on many modules including road safety, city knowledge and customer service standards to name a few.

“We are delighted to open our new location at Hong Qiao Domestic Airport in Shanghai. Our new location provides more capacity for our growing fleet. Avis provides self drive or with-driver services to and from the airport. We are also providing this service via Pudong International Airport in Shanghai and from Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzen Airports,” says Lucy Barawitzka, Deputy General Manager Sales and Marketing, Avis China.

Avis is accelerating its network expansion in preparation for the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Expo to further enhance the city-to-city services. It is the only international car rental company operating in China and it is also the preferred partner for many international companies. During the next two years Avis China plans to open branches in Wuhan, Chengdu, Shenyang, Qingdao, Xiamen, Chongqing and Changsha.