Hertz, the largest car rental company in Serbia, has commemorated the first 10 years of operations on this market as the Autohellas Group. Its car rental vehicles on the Serbian market total approximately 2,000 vehicles all told
Despite the high standards with which we launched our operations in Serbia, as a HERTZ franchise, we nonetheless continually strive to raise the quality of services we offer and to expand our portfolio from year to year – says Hertz Serbia GM Dimitrios Antoniou.
How many vehicles do you have at your disposal today? How long did it take you to become No. 1?
Our fleet on the Serbian market numbers approximately 2,000 vehicles. Throughout a season we usually have around 300 to 400 short-term rental vehicles, depending on the season of the year. The reason I’m not very specific on numbers is because these figures are all relative because of the COVID-19 situation. We have been in Serbia for 10 years, as Autohellas Group. Our progress happened very quickly: we had already become number one within the first three to four years.
What are included in all the services that you offer today?
We have very wide range of services right now, starting with short-term rentals – so, pure car rentals that depend on either leisure or business rentals. In addition to that, our portfolio also includes long-term rentals. Another product that we offer is called Flex Drive by Hertz, a product that combines both long- and short-term rentals without commitment, giving the customer the flexibility to arrange whatever they need. Also, we provide Chauffeur Service to our clients who are then able to enjoy their Hertz experience. The challenge, and if I may say the recipe for Hertz, as a global brand and probably the world’s No.1 brand in this industry, is the mentality of Autohellas to treat and present ourselves as though we are locals. Like a small local company, with a personal touch and, above all, special respect for clients.
We have been in Serbia for 10 years, as Autohellas Group. Our progress happened very quickly: we had already become number one within the first three to four years
Even though you have more vehicles and employees than your competitors, you are still known for your flexibility and your ability to satisfy specific requirements. Apart from your fleet of vehicles, is this the secret to your success?
This is the heritage that we have from Autohellas. We need to help and take care of the car first and foremost; to look after it during its whole life circle in the company. And of course, the absolute value is respect for the client. Clients trust the very person they directly interact with. That is exactly where we offer our services by taking care of the costumer needs in a “tailor made” way. Clients trust the person in front of them. You cannot do this kind of business if you consider yourself, or act like, a bureaucrat or a large corporation. All these are things that secure the whole business. However, we need to act and provide services as though we are a small shop around the corner.
Does the Serbian market differ from other markets where Autohellas S.A. operates? What is encompassed by everything that’s sought today?
The Serbian market differs from other Autohellas markets and is mainly a corporate business market. There is no significant tourist market in Serbia. Other markets, like Greece, Cyprus and, more recently, Croatia, with coastlines and islands, have leisure tourists and renting cars for leisure is huge there. What we mainly have here is corporate/ business. Anyhow, what we are delighted to do in Hertz is to offer rental services for vehicles from a few hours up to several years.