SAVRALA Submission

Written by Wayne Duvenage, General Manager SAVRALA

Friday, 07 October 2005

FACTS AND INPUT ABOUT SAVRALA SAVRAA members constitute 17 organisations who control about 90% of all car rental transactions in SA. There are a number of smaller operators who have off-road vehicles (eg Britz etc) who are not members of SAVRALA.  We are unsure of the SAVRALA % of off-road rental vehicles, but would imagine that due to the niche nature of off-road vehicles, SAVRALA % will remain high (over 70%) in Southern Africa. Our members have approximately 510 off-road / 4x4 vehicles operating throughout SADC, an approximate breakdown of these numbers being:- ie SA (200), Namibia (150), Botswana (110) and Mozambique (50).  These vehicles operate at approximately 70% utilization, so about 350 may be on the road at any time throughout the SADC region and less than 25% of these will be off-road on any given day (i.e. 85 vehicles). The average rental transaction takes about 5 minutes to complete.  With 4x4 vehicles, this takes and extra 15 to 25 minutes, where our rental staff (ladies and gentlemen) will ensure that the renter receives input on safe driving and mechanical engagement of the off-road vehicles. The rental companies do not know their customers addresses prior to arrival and cannot enforce items such as training and GPS systems onto the renter, who very often assures the rental company that he / she will not be going off-road when driving. SAVRALA is very supportive of the protection of our environment and safety of their passengers. ISSUES REQUIRING RESOLVE In order to assist with safety and protection of the environment and eco-sensitive areas, SAVRALA members envisage the need to include informative brochures highlighting these matters, for all renters of off-road vehicles in the region.  A summary document highlighting important facts may need to be signed by the renter, prior to driving off, especially in areas such as Namibia and Botswana.  To enforce the renting customer to undergo any formal training program before driving off on their journey will be virtually impossible. Any further suggestions as to how we can address this aspect in a more effective manner will be welcome. GPS units in car rental vehicles can only be enforced once all new vehicles are installed with GPS units from factory.  Until such time, we are unable to prescriptive or enforce the renter to purchase of rent these devices, or even make use of them for that matter. Misuse of vehicles – the drivers should be punished according to law.  We obviously cannot accept that vehicles are confiscated as the vehicle may belong to some-one else (the car rental company in our case) and we can never be held liable for the behaviour of an individual who rents one of our vehicles. Regarding Quad and Off-Road Bikes – as long as you have a large off-road sector being unlicensed, all the work being undertaken in the workshop will be in vain.  We propose (from our limited knowledge of the constraints facing this industry) that this sector needs to be licensed or regulated in some way. I trust this input will be of some use in the NOW. For any queries, please do not hesitate to call me. WAYNE DUVENAGE General Manager – SAVRALA 083 6766203