Stellantis announced this morning that the automaker has reached a deal with the “premium mobility service provider” SIXT which could see the rental car company purchase a quarter of a million vehicles for Europe and North America. SIXT is one of the largest rental car brands in Europe, but they are relatively new in the United States, having started their operations at Miami International Airport back in 2011. Since then, they have grown to offer more than a hundred locations in 18 states, but more importantly, SIXT is getting attention in the American rental market with their unique slogan.
“Dont Rent a Car, Rent the Car” is the current marketing slogan of SIXT, and unlike most rental companies that have fleets of the cheapest cars available in each size group and you get whatever is available in a given class when you show up, SIXT rents higher end vehicles and they allow customers to pick the exact vehicle that they want to rent. To be clear, they still have very low cost options, but if you want to rent a Chrysler Pacifica, you can specifically rent a Pacifica and know that is what you are getting, rather than showing up and being told that you are getting a Toyota Sienna.
I used the Chrysler Pacifica as an example because when I looked up the SIXT options for Miami (SIXT is not available in my area), the Pacifica was the only Stellantis vehicle listed. They offer a great many BMW vehicles right now at their Miami location, along with a mix of various GM, Nissan, Toyota and Bentley vehicles. However, there could soon be other Stellantis models showing up in the lineup of American SIXT locations, in addition their locations overseas.
“SIXT rental customers will benefit from an attractive choice of vehicles of Stellantis award-winning brands including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall and Maserati. The deliveries to SIXT will include a variety of classes from city cars to SUVs to vans and trucks (including 7- and 9-seaters) as well as a full range of propulsion types (including battery electric vehicles) featuring the latest software and infotainment tech features.”
The press release from which the excerpt above was taken explains that the first “significant delivery volumes” could start during the first quarter of 2024 and they will continue throughout the year. However, there was no further detail as to what vehicles were being ordered for which markets around the world. I would imagine that several Jeep models would be popular rental choices around the world, as would Maserati. Several of the brands listed are not offered in the United States, so they won’t be offered here by SIXT, but we could see future Dodge, Ram, Fiat and Alfa Romeo models offered in the US, alongside the aforementioned Jeep and Maserati models.
“With today’s amazing announcement with SIXT, we deliver on our commitments to offer the customer clean, safe and affordable mobility seen now in breakthrough vehicles and technology. Within our iconic brands, we offer a vehicle that fits practically every need, price point, and lifestyle,” said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. “This partnership with SIXT enables current and potential Stellantis brand customers to immerse themselves in our newest offerings with the most advanced propulsion, vehicle connectivity and thoughtful comfort. It’s the ultimate test drive and a critical checkpoint for us in the upcoming years as Stellantis transforms into a sustainable mobility tech company.”
