JasYHZ

Just recieved this memo:

Due to customer service issues, there will be a car class change for the HHR and the Malibu. The effective date for the change is April 10, 2010. This date was selected as it will be less impactful to our Corporate and Insurance replacement customers and will provide enough lead time to prepare for the change.

Car Class Old Car Class New Car Class
HHR FCAR SCAR
Malibu SCAR FCAR
Seeing as we have neither here it won't be as big an issue - but for the US?

JasYHZ

Tuneman1984

The HHR re-class makes complete sense. It wasn't "similar" to anything in Fullsize; all its buddies like the PT, Matrix, and Rondo were in Standard.

Not sure how they'll deal with customer objections on the Malibu. If they forget to update the website for several months then you still have grounds to refuse, and even if they do, you can just say "The website said I'd get an Impala, this is not similar, it's smaller".

I'll accept the Malibu once as I still haven't driven one, but after that I might object on principle. If enough of us do then they might change it back.

3Cforme

If this applies in the U.S., it's a problem, as the fleet is full of four-cylinder (often base trim level) Malibus, and once people accept Malibus as Full size, Hyundai Sonatas and Ford Fusions will likely make the climb from Standard.

JasYHZ

Actually, up to about 6 months ago, Sonatas and Fusions WERE classified as full sizes. They made the drop downward the same time as the Focus and Cobalt moved up to intermediate/midsize.

JasYHZ

3Cforme

The correction of Fusion and Sonata to Standard was greeted warmly here, and made some sense with regard to EPA size classes (Fusion) and likely purhase price (low-end Sonatas). Darn few people are going to be happy with Chevy HHRs in Standard. I won't be renting them from National if any competitor has other vehicles available.

Tuneman1984

With the ERAC class meddling, National now has some of the smallest fleet among major agencies. Here are some examples:

Ford Focus
National: Midsize
Dollar/Thrifty: Compact
Hertz: Compact

Toyota Matrix
National: Standard
Dollar/Thrifty: Compact
Avis: Midsize

Dodge Avenger
National: Standard (but often rented as Fullsize)
Dollar/Thrifty: Midsize
Avis: Midsize

Chrysler PT Cruiser
National: Standard
Dollar/Thrifty: Midsize
Avis: Midsize

Ford Taurus
National: Premium
Hertz: Fullsize
Budget: Fullsize

Buick Lucerne
National: Luxury
Hertz: Premium
Avis: Premium

Jeep Commander
National: Fullsize SUV
Avis: Standard SUV

Time will tell if customers put up with it. Personally, if they're at least honest about it, then I'm okay. For instance, if they say a Midsize is "Sentra or similar", and then give me a Mazda3, that's alright, as they compete directly. They are, well, similar. But if I show up expecting a Tahoe for my 6 co-travellers and kit, and they give me the Commander, which is near as makes no difference identical to the Grand Cherokee - I've checked it - then they're going to lose my revenue to a rival agency.

Consistency is the key to loyalty, nothing more, nothing less.

drzoidberg

Great comparison chart, tuneman. I hope some ERAC corporate types are reading this thread.

dtremit

Ugh. Hate, hate, hate the Malibu. There is no justification for classing it as an FCAR.

I rent from National because as an Exec, I'm guaranteed to get at least a fullsize at the intermediate rate, which is what company policy dictates I book. But if National redefines everyone else's midsize as a fullsize, I am getting nothing for my loyalty. I am fully able to move my business to Hertz or Avis, and will do so the first time I am forced into a Malibu as my Exec "upgrade."

4now

Returned my weekender to National @ ATL tonight. On my walk out of the garage, over at Alamo's luxury I spotted a Lucerne next to a DTS.
But what really caught my attention was 2 HHR's in fullsize.

Tuneman1984

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Because Standard and Fullsize are populated with similar cars (e.g. Sonata as an SCAR and Altima an FCAR), the boffins that control the Aisle supply now think they're both the same. Therefore, with that corporate logic, National can now offer a base model 4-cylinder Avenger as a Fullsize car.

You've taken an angle I never even thought of. It's similar to Avis First, where they put some many conditions on earning free weekend days, and then you earn them and discover they too have enough conditions and blackout dates to make the airlines blush. National is now no better. All the cars took a step to the right, so you really get nothing for your loyalty. I'm going to remember that next time I have to get in touch with customer service.

dtremit

I wrote them a note to that effect earlier tonight -- not much hope it'll actually influence anything, but hey. Looked up the EPA passenger and cargo volumes for the various cars the major agencies list as Intermediate, Standard, and Full -- with one exception, the example SCAR and FCAR at Hertz, Avis, Dollar, and Budget are all larger than the Malibu. (Weirdly, the one exception is the SCAR at Hertz, which is listed as a G6 -- but their ICAR is a Mazda 6, which is nearly as big as the Impala.)

Interestingly, the Fusion (which is still an SCAR) is significantly roomier, by the numbers than a Malibu.

In general, I've found that when I rent from Hertz (without status), I get what I reserved at a minimum, and something better if I complain. The effort hasn't been worth it, in general -- but if National continues down this path, it might be.

elCheapoDeluxe

I stopped renting from Enterprise years ago because of their dishonest car classifications. I often would show up with a reservation for a full size "taurus or similar" for example, have them give me a base mitsubishi lancer as a full size (I'm really not kidding) when there was a taurus or whatever it was right next to it. When I'd ask they would ALWAYS say, "oh - we don't consider that a full size. The web site people screwed it up." If ERAC brings this to National, I think we all need to press claims of false advertising with the relevant local legal authorities.

3Cforme

Praise Tuneman for offering a comparison chart, although my experience with vehicles/classes cited for National doesn't match his entirely. I'm not convinced that all locations classify cars consistently (even ~six months after the alleged corporate mandate), and sometimes the rental agreement car class doesn't match the class shown on the car tag or keyring. Funny, the car class ID is always the lower if there is any variance... As noted, National's car class games effectively kill the upgrade benefit for Exec and Elite.

Toyota Matrix as Standard is another travesty.

I have started reserving Premium as a way to avoid the undesirable Standard that is often offered on a Full size reservation, but with so many Chrysler 300s and Mercury Grand Marquis filling Premium, this strategy, too, has its problems. It's time to look around.

Thanks, too, to JasYHZ for the notice, even if I object to the news.

drzoidberg

At DCA on certain busy weekday evenings, there's only SUV, Luxury, and everything else. All the EA/ES/Premium cars get clumped together, which sometimes irks me since non-EC members get the same selection of cars. But on the other hand, there's not much in terms of size-downgrading, since all the cars are in one big pool.

Tuneman1984

A note about Hertz - the new Mazda6 is actually a Fullsize (F-class) over there. Notice how the example Midsize is a picture of the previous-gen. A midsize at Hertz is generally about the same as National, though some of National's Standards are still Midsizes at Hertz (e.g. Matrix, PT). The comparison chart was based on my own experience and some hearsay, but it still proves the point that National has taken class creep to new, almost pornographic levels.

I was actually wanted to make a thread about my car class observations recently, but I suppose here is the best place to do it.

In my humble opinion, there are only two car classes at National that offer even a degree of consistency: Minivan and Convertible. That being said, I wouldn't put it past National to start putting couches in the back of PT Cruisers and taking buzzsaws to Nissan Sentras...

The Midsize class comes close; in fact, it's rarely where I have problems these days. If you look at the Midsize class, they're pretty well all direct competitors to each other. They all compete in the EPA Compact class, of course, but all least there's a bit of consistency.

The Standard/Fullsize mess is a whole new ballgame. The easiest fix would be offering Fullsize cars on Fullsize bookings without exception. If people want a Standard, they'll book a Standard. Never, ever downgrade. This seems to be a principle lost on modern-day rental agencies. It used to be when you booked a car class, and they didn't have it, you got bumped up. When you book World Traveller Plus on British Airways - to get extra legroom on the 747 - they would never dream of putting you back in coach without HUGE incentives. Hotels won't put you into a twin bed room when you've booked a king suite. I don't see why car rental should be any different. I guess they figure since the price differences are so miniscule they can do as they please. This only spawns people booking higher car classes than they need, double booking with other agencies, and that doesn't help anyone.

SUVs are worse too. It's like the agents don't even care what is offered in which class. I've seen the Explorer as a Fullsize SUV, Intermediate SUVs posing as Standards, and the Jeep nameplate game as I call it. I'm sorry but the carbon-copy twin of a car in another class doesn't make it better because the emblem changed. A Dodge Charger is always a Fullsize, even if it has a Hemi. But suddenly if it's a Chrysler 300, it's this super-dapper luxury car that should command $200/day! Same thing with the Dodge Caliber. It's a run-of-the-mill Midsize, but the Jeep Compass goes in the SUV class? Even the Patriot is too small to be "similar" to the Ford Escape. Finally, whoever classed the Commander as a Fullsize needs to be locked in one with 6 other people and 7 suitcases. Bet you within the hour they'll repent and make an Expedition to the nearest Tahoe on the lot! I suppose it made the jump because, with the retirement of the Durango, it was a Chrysler product and had 7 seats. If I have the last name Gretzky and 4 limbs, doesn't mean I'll be a great hockey player just because Wayne retired.

Now I've complained enough, why don't I propose what I would do:

Economy, Compact, and Midsize would be mostly left alone, except that I'd move the Avenger/Sebring back down to Midsize. It's too small to play with the rest of the Standards, and if they're only going to buy the 4-cylinder models now, I'd rather see it as an EA dweller for those who want something a bit roomier. The Pontiac G6 would go there too, but I'm not so concerned as they are out of production.

The "wagons" are a tough call. If you classed them are their own, then how do they fit on the upgrade hierarchy? If you leave them alone, what about people who expect a sedan of the size advertised? If anything, I'd probably move at least the wagons into Midsize (PT/HHR/Matrix) but leave the mini-MPVs in Standard (Mazda5/Rondo).

Standard would be cars like the Fusion, Malibu, Sonata, and Fullsize would start with American V6 cars (Charger SXT/Impala/Taurus SEL), or any Japanese cars that compare favourably to the dimensions numbers of the previous three (I believe the Camry comes close, plus everyone else calls the Camry a Full).

Premium is tough as there are a variety of tastes to suit. Some book for more space, some book for a nicer car. One thing is for sure, nothing without leather seats and decent amenities. Luxury would be Cadillacs and Lincolns, mainly, so whoever takes the time to book that high a class is properly taken care of.

Intermediate SUV would be Escape, Liberty, Equinox, RAV4, and other direct competitors.

Standard SUV would be Explorer, Grand Cherokee, Highlander, and other direct competitors.

Fullsize SUV would only be the Tahoe/Yukon and Expedition, since there are no other legitimate competitors (save maybe the Sequoia).

I could go into other car classes, but those are the main ones people book online and through the OTAs. One simple rule should be followed: If you have 2 cars from the same car brand in the same category, something's wrong.