Car rental firms see high demand

Car rental companies have witnessed a huge increase in demand since the start of the four-day weekend marking the Kingdom’s National Day.
Car rental companies, who normally see an increase in the number of customers on weekends and during Eid, say that business has surged since the royal decree announcing a four-day weekend was issued.
There has, however, been no increase in car rental prices despite high demand and a shortage of cars thanks to the Ministry of Transportation’s vigilance in monitoring prices.
Many residents, especially young Saudis, are traveling between Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and other cities during the national holiday. Many Saudis and expatriates prefer to spend their holidays in Makkah and Madinah.
There are not as many expat travelers as Sunday is not a day off in the private sector. However, expatriates whose jobs are linked with various ministries and public sector companies, have joined the public sector in their four-day weekend.
Saudis tend to rent SUVs and new models that cost more, while expatriates prefer older and smaller vehicles.
Saudis and expats have refrained from using their own cars to drive long distances in order to avoid paying maintenance costs.
“Driving long distances with friends by your side is the perfect way for bachelors to spend their holiday,” says Mohammed Irfan, a Riyadh-based Indian expat from Hyderabad. He said that renting a car and splitting the cost with friends is both economical and comfortable.
Car rental companies with desks at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport have seen a drastic increase in the number of cars leased since Friday.
There are over 700 cars available for rent at Jeddah airport alone and most of them have already been booked.
Car rental companies at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh are also experiencing a similar demand, say sources.
Saudis traveling with their families to witness colorful celebrations in Riyadh are opting for SUVs to be able to get around the city comfortably.
“Business has been on the increase since Friday and is expected to peak by Monday,” Azeem Altaf of Budget, the largest car rental company in the Kingdom, told Arab News.
He said that the company has made unexpected profits ahead of the Haj holidays.
“We typically have on average 25 cars parked outside our office branch on Palestine Street in Jeddah, but we now have only three older models left,” said the branch sales manager of another car rental company in Jeddah.
“We began seeing an increased rush to rent cars from Thursday and by Saturday afternoon, we had no cars left to lease,” said Abu Yousuf of a local car rental company in the Wizarat district in Riyadh.