European travellers will feel more at home in Australia, thanks to an alliance between the country’s newest car rental company and a leading vehicle importer. Sixt Rent A Car has added Fiat Punto to its line-up in Sydney, so the company’s European clients can drive a car that makes them feel more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.

While not yet a household name in Australia, Sixt is very familiar to visiting Europeans – the company is European-based and began operations in Germany in 1912. Likewise Fiat, one of Italy’s most famous car brands, is back in Australia as of July this year, with the Punto being the first model of what will be an extensive range available locally.

“Most of our clients are international business travellers who book with us because we offer a familiar name, and a familiar car while they are in unfamiliar territory,” says Alfio Merlino, chief executive officer of Sixt Rent A Car Australia. “However, we also attract a great deal of local business, both corporate and leisure, and having Fiats on our fleet gives us a point of difference from our rivals. Indeed many of our local clients have specifically asked for these cars – they say they’re thinking about buying one, so by renting from us, they can try before they buy!”
 

Mr Merlino says Sixt has chosen the Fiat Punto for a number of reasons. “Obviously Fiat is a manufacturer we know well and we’re confident our relationship with Fiat Australia will be as strong as the partnership we enjoy in Europe. We admire the design and the performance of the Punto and we find it very competitively priced.”

David Stone, General Manager of Fiat Australia, also is looking forward to a long partnership. “We are delighted that Sixt has included the new Fiat Punto in its Australian line-up. I have no doubt that the Punto will be a hit with overseas and Australian travellers alike.” Sixt now operates from 3500 rental locations in 80 countries around the world, including its Australian offices in Sydney, Melbourne and – from early next year – Brisbane. As an added bonus, all of its cars are equipped with a portable satellite navigation system, free of charge.