Why can't you rent a Honda/Acura?
Sep 29, 2015, 10:08 am
#1
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Why can't you rent a Honda/Acura?
I've always wondered why no large car rental agency has Honda/Acura cars??? Surprisingly the poster in this thread implies that you can rent an Accord (I assume Honda??) - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/natio...de-report.html
But I've never, ever, seen any Honda vehicles - why?
But I've never, ever, seen any Honda vehicles - why?
Sep 29, 2015, 10:14 am
#2
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Honda corporate doesn't pursue sales to daily rental car agencies. Roughly 20-25% of GM/Ford/FiatChrysler get sold into such channels. The very few Hondas that are found with Enterprise/National/Alamo have been purchased from dealers. Honda has argued that focus on retail sales improves resale value.
Sep 29, 2015, 11:08 am
#3
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I see the Acura RDX somewhat regularly and even got one on a PCAR res at SEA a few months bag. They're not common, but they are kicking around. Preferred sales channels are the main reason, as outlined by 3Cforme.
Sep 29, 2015, 1:15 pm
#6
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They're not very common but generally they turn out to be pretty underwhelming as they frequently are low trims and classified pretty high (i.e. PCAR).
Here's one from 2013:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/natio...de-report.html
Here's one from 2013:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/natio...de-report.html
Sep 30, 2015, 2:41 am
#8
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In addition to the Accord (that's my ride report from 2013) I've also seen a 2014 CR-V LX (IRAR) in the Exec Selection at HNL.
It was definitely a dealer-sourced vehicle, as the Hawaii safety inspection sticker that's normally slapped on the rear bumper (lowest amount of effort) was mounted on a metal plate and affixed to the underside of the bumper (something one of the local Honda dealers does). I almost took the CR-V, but asked for another vehicle after finding a very large scrape on the passenger side door.
A couple years ago, I also saw an Acura TSX with a EAN barcode sticker driving around Honolulu, but have not seen one recently.
It was definitely a dealer-sourced vehicle, as the Hawaii safety inspection sticker that's normally slapped on the rear bumper (lowest amount of effort) was mounted on a metal plate and affixed to the underside of the bumper (something one of the local Honda dealers does). I almost took the CR-V, but asked for another vehicle after finding a very large scrape on the passenger side door.
A couple years ago, I also saw an Acura TSX with a EAN barcode sticker driving around Honolulu, but have not seen one recently.
Oct 1, 2015, 7:25 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 777
It is only of recent memory you've gotten anything besides American brand vehicles from National. No Toyota, Nissan, Audi, etc...
Could be wrong but when the Big Three went though their major financial upheavals several years ago including bankruptcy National like other car rental places had to expand their fleet sources.
As one who rented during those times am here to tell you pickings were *slim*. Between recalls and nothing new coming in you were lucky to get anything. Usually the only thing National had was SUVs and minivans with some larger full sized cars. No matter what you reserved those were the choices.
Could be wrong but when the Big Three went though their major financial upheavals several years ago including bankruptcy National like other car rental places had to expand their fleet sources.
As one who rented during those times am here to tell you pickings were *slim*. Between recalls and nothing new coming in you were lucky to get anything. Usually the only thing National had was SUVs and minivans with some larger full sized cars. No matter what you reserved those were the choices.
Jan 2, 2016, 8:35 am
#11
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Manufacturers can't dictate retail prices. That would be a violation of federal anti-trust law. Dealers are broadly controlled under state franchise law. They can price and sell as they wish, with some geographic restraints that aren't well defined.
Jan 2, 2016, 8:40 am
#12
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It is only of recent memory you've gotten anything besides American brand vehicles from National. No Toyota, Nissan, Audi, etc...
Could be wrong but when the Big Three went though their major financial upheavals several years ago including bankruptcy National like other car rental places had to expand their fleet sources.
Could be wrong but when the Big Three went though their major financial upheavals several years ago including bankruptcy National like other car rental places had to expand their fleet sources.
What pricipally changed was ownership of the rental car companies (GM/Avis, Ford/Hertz, Chrsyler/Thrifty) and the practice of dumping manufacturer excess production into daily rental fleets, buying them back at guaranteed prices, the so-called 'program cars.' The rental companies now buy outright most of the vehicles in their U.S. fleets and are responsible for remarketing.
Jan 6, 2016, 8:24 pm
#13
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I decided to switched from Hertz to National, following a nice Honda rental.
In SEA, Hertz could only give me a Jeep Compass as a midsize SUV. Not quite the "Honda Rav4 or similar" I had reserved and was hoping for. I cancelled the reservation and walked over to National, which had several Rav4s in the EA. I got a brand new 4wd with XM radio.
Another time, I had a Rav4 with National in Denver.
In SEA, Hertz could only give me a Jeep Compass as a midsize SUV. Not quite the "Honda Rav4 or similar" I had reserved and was hoping for. I cancelled the reservation and walked over to National, which had several Rav4s in the EA. I got a brand new 4wd with XM radio.
Another time, I had a Rav4 with National in Denver.
Jan 7, 2016, 10:20 am
#15
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It is possible for just about anyone to buy a new Honda at the invoice price (+/-), and needless to say, far below MSRP.