Targarent is a new car and van rental company, established by the Fiat Group. In just over its two years existence it has grown rapidly to become one of the most qualified operators in the marketplace, and with branches already situated all across Italy, both in towns and airports, they are are expanding very steadily in order to be able to cover the whole country.

The car fleet spans the Fiat Auto model range, from Fiat to Alfa Romeo and Lancia. It starts with the popular Fiat Panda and Punto, though to the highly efficient Fiat Multipla (a six seater with luggage space), and the equally space-efficient Stilo Multiwagon. Niche sportscars such as Alfa Spider and the Fiat Barchetta, rub shoulders with cars such as Lancia's Musa, and that prestigious executive-lugger from Alfa Romeo, Alfa 166 sedan. Customer's light commercial requirements are also catered for, with the Doblò Cargo and Ducato being part of the available range. The most common choices are of course diesel cars, because the new Fiat Multijet engines, with their cutting-edge common-rail technology, run as quickly as the petrol ones, and take advantage of the fact that diesel fuel is a lot cheaper to buy than petrol in Italy.

"Happy Hour" - three hour car rental of 19.99 euros inclusive

Now Targarent are offering customers a brand new initiative, the "Happy Hour" rental option, where their range of cars can be hired for three hours use at a cost of just 19.99 euros (including VAT). "Happy Hour" is being pitched as a valid solution for those people who need to rent a car for just for a limited period of time during the day, and who wish to pay a suitable price that better reflects the real time actual use of the car.
 

It is a unique deal that goes against the general trend of the “daily rates with unlimited mileage”, as it offers free mileage, the same price for all Targarent's categories (depending on the cars available), is valid all over Italy, and offers a free drop off within the same city (drop off in different cities is 30,00 euros extra). Another novelty concerns car-washing. It is not included in the three hour rate; and only when necessary it will be charged to the customer at 6.00 euro; nothing will be due if the customer bring back the car clean and ready to be rented to a new customer. Targarent see a wide application for this new service, and quote as an example customers who may wish to transfer to a second airport within the same city, or to travel between to different cities, such as Naples and Rome. With the "Happy Hour" scheme renting a car for three hours will be cheaper than catching a bus, train or taxi, especially so if there are several passengers travelling together as a group.

Targarent provide cars for disabled

Targarent are also the only major car hire operator who actively cater for the disabled, part of Fiat's on-going commitment to this sector, handled through its Autonomy programme. They have a small fleet of specially adapted Fiat Punto 1.2 Speedgear models which have all the controls at the steering wheel, available at major town locations and airports. These cars have specific fittings (accelerator and brakes near the steering wheel) that are easy to fit and dismantle, so everybody can drive them, but they are in such a position that they grant comfort and safety. The special devices multi-adapted by Guidosimplex.