VW Jetta with Manual Transmission in US?!
Mar 15, 2022, 6:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Hertz PC, Hyatt Colleague, Avis Preferred/Budget FB, National Exeuctive
Posts: 63
VW Jetta with Manual Transmission in US?!
Just wondering if anyone has any insight.
I work very closely with Manheim, one of the largest vehicle auctions in the USA. The other day, a car came through - a 2021 VW Jetta - with a manual trans that had Hertz barcode stickers all over the windshield and door, plus a Hertz insurance slip in the glove box. Has anyone seen anything for rent with a manual from Hertz in the US?
I work very closely with Manheim, one of the largest vehicle auctions in the USA. The other day, a car came through - a 2021 VW Jetta - with a manual trans that had Hertz barcode stickers all over the windshield and door, plus a Hertz insurance slip in the glove box. Has anyone seen anything for rent with a manual from Hertz in the US?
Mar 15, 2022, 7:10 pm
#2
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
We haven't heard of any manual transmission cars in the US rental fleets for a number of years. We do know that the major rental companies have been buying low-mileage current/previous model year cars since early 2021 due to the difficulty of getting new vehicles. It's very possible that Hertz acquired this manual Jetta as part of that effort and it was simply a mistake and now they are looking to unload it.
Mar 15, 2022, 7:21 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Hertz PC, Hyatt Colleague, Avis Preferred/Budget FB, National Exeuctive
Posts: 63
We haven't heard of any manual transmission cars in the US rental fleets for a number of years. We do know that the major rental companies have been buying low-mileage current/previous model year cars since early 2021 due to the difficulty of getting new vehicles. It's very possible that Hertz acquired this manual Jetta as part of that effort and it was simply a mistake and now they are looking to unload it.
Mar 15, 2022, 7:23 pm
#4
Company Representative - AutoSlash and HotelSlash
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: autoslash.com | hotelslash.com
Posts: 5,666
I have noticed, especially here at TPA, a number of new cars infleeted that have still had dealer labels and custom options (i.e. tinted windows, tonneau covers). Perhaps it was purchased and infleeted but never actually rented out. I guess it's just for us to speculate. Still pretty interesting nonetheless.
Mar 17, 2022, 10:52 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 236
Interesting, why would the rental companies buy them but not rent them out? (Other than in error)
As far as manuals in the US, in 2017-2018 or so I had some reservations for Mustang coupes with "standard transmission" from Budget/Avis. Didn't follow through so not sure if they would have just given me an auto instead, but figured it was some sort of corporate A-B testing
As far as manuals in the US, in 2017-2018 or so I had some reservations for Mustang coupes with "standard transmission" from Budget/Avis. Didn't follow through so not sure if they would have just given me an auto instead, but figured it was some sort of corporate A-B testing