Sixt has signed a strategic partnership with the National Roads & Motorists’ Association (NRMA), the largest national automobile club and one of Australia’s leading car rental companies.
As part of the collaboration which took effect on 1 December 2021, the global business will immediately achieve a 13 percent market share in Australia, and expand its international network by about 160 branches with a rental fleet of 16,000 vehicles.
Ruediger Proske, senior vice president international franchise of Sixt SE said the latest move follows on from the brand’s launch in New Zealand, giving it a presence throughout the Asia-Pacific market.
“By entering the Australian market and with our latest cooperation, Sixt is concluding one of the largest franchise partnerships in its expansion history,” he said.
For Matthew Beattie, MD of Sixt Australia, there’s a clear goal.
“We will now focus on driving the sustainable growth of our company even further in the coming years and set our sights on the goal of Australian market leadership.”
Sixt is a German-based company which has broadened its original vehicle rental service to include car sharing, ride hailing and car subscriptions.
The NRMA has about 2.7 million members and previously operated as a Thrifty franchisee. However, under the new agreement all 160 branches will be operating under the orange Sixt brand.
Sixt has had a presence in Australia since 2005, with smaller partnerships which are now being dissolved as part of the comprehensive agreement with the NRMA.
The new partnership delivers greater access to airport customers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and coincides with the initial integration of 40 MG EV and 25 Tesla Model 3 vehicles.
Konstantin Sixt, co-CEO of Sixt SE said “The strategic partnership with the NRMA creates the perfect basis for Sixt to fully exploit the huge market potential in Australia.
“It is only natural for us to offer our customers one of the country’s largest electric rental fleets upon entering the market,” he said.
