SIXT Australia is well equipped to cater for a variety of vehicle hire needs. Roads & Infrastructure speaks with some of SIXT’s leaders to learn how the company has expanded its offerings and capabilities nationally.
Agile and flexible. These are the two principles which guide SIXT’s offerings for businesses across the sector.
SIXT Australia is 100 per cent owned by the NRMA and has more than 30 years experience in the Australian car and truck rental industry. The company has one of the largest vehicle fleets nationally, consisting of options for economy, compact, intermediate, standard and full-size passenger vehicles.
SIXT also offers premium and electric vehicles, SUVs, people movers and other commercial options such as 4WDs, Utes, vans, buses and trucks.
SIXT Australia CEO, Matthew Beattie, says the catalogue of options, mixed with an expansive network, can provide options for the majority of Australia.
“SIXT’s commercial rental vehicle fleet is one of the largest in the country and through our national footprint we supply vehicles to the most remote parts of regional and rural Australia,” Beattie says.
“This means we can deliver purpose-built mining and construction specialty vehicles to get the job done, wherever and whenever needed, making us an ideal partner on major infrastructure projects.”
SIXT now has over 160 locations nationally, including all major airports across Australia.
A smooth ride
Rob Jaffer, Regional Sales Manager for New South Wales, the ACT and Western Australia, says SIXT’s focus on the customer has resulted in the company being recognised on a national level.
“We focus heavily on our service delivery and have won various national and international awards that demonstrate SIXT’s customers value the unique service experience. Regular surveys help [us to] know more about the customer’s opinion which enables constant improvement,” Jaffer says.
“Our commercial fleet is new, clean and safe, and our ‘floating fleet’ model enables us to relocate vehicles quickly and efficiently to meet demand.”
On top of providing for the construction and infrastructure sectors, SIXT has also forged a market for vehicle options suited to mining applications.
As Jaffer adds, the company has built its portfolio in these industries over a number of years.
“We have a history working with some of the largest mining and construction companies in Australia. We continue to partner with companies of all sizes in providing commercial vehicles, specifically mine spec light vehicles, trucks and buses for short and long-term projects,” Jaffer says.
SIXT can work with each client to ensure that their vehicle needs can be met. This is thanks to a collaborative approach, which can deliver specific customer requests and requirements.
This also extends to SIXT’s on-going customer support for clients, which includes a damage service. All SIXT Australia vehicles are supported by 24/7 roadside assistance.
SIXT also uses a unique method to formulate its vehicle fleet. The company uses analysis from existing and projected customers to maintain a modernised range of options. This includes benefits to performance, safety and the environment, with features such as enhanced fuel economy and vehicle reliability.
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Taking on the challenge
SIXT also has experience in catering for major infrastructure projects. Pacific Complete – a joint venture between two major infrastructure providers – was tasked with delivering a 129 kilometre section of the Pacific Highway in partnership with Transport for New South Wales.
The project required the use of 120 dual cab Utes over a five-year period.
Ian Moore, Commercial Fleet Manager at SIXT Australia says the company worked to ensure that project requirements were met for each vehicle.
“The fleet needed to be customised with driver telematics installed. As we were all working towards a clear end-date, it was an easier and more attractive proposition for our client to hire vehicles and have us take responsibility for arranging all maintenance on the fleet throughout the five-year project,” Moore says.
“It also meant they could off-hire the fleet gradually towards the end as each component of the job finished.”
He admits that the project did present some challenges. But SIXT’s customer service and capabilities enabled the company to overcome these issues.
“There were challenges with the driver telematics due to network black spots and functionality, so we needed to change all systems to get better range and functionality across the board. We did this by working closely with the client at all times to achieve the desired outcome,” Moore says.
Eyeing expansion
Despite its foothold in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, SIXT has recently shifted its focus towards increasing its capabilities in Western Australia. As Jaffer explains.
“SIXT already has an established footprint on the east coast. Perth is presenting us with great opportunities for metro expansion, and we have recently opened new locations in Kewdale and Fremantle with more locations being identified,” Jaffer says.
Jaffer says SIXT is also working to further develop its range of sustainable offerings for the market, including electric vehicles.
“[We’re] continuing our journey to become a ‘premium mobility provider’, leading the way in sustainable mobility as we increase our EV offering, which will extend to commercial vehicles,” he says.
“We’ll also be partnering with and supporting companies that have strong sustainability goals.”
This article was originally published in the July edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.