News December 19 2006

Now you can rent a Fiat Punto in Sydney from Sixt

If you’re thinking of buying a Fiat Punto, but want to check one out first, head over to car hire company Sixt Rent A Car, which has added the new Punto to its line-up in Sydney.

Alfio Merlino, CEO of Sixt Rent A Car Australia, and two of the Fiats on his fleet.

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 – and the Fiat Punto will be very familiar to many of them.

Similarly Fiat is recently returned to Australia (July this year), with the Punto being the first model of what will in time be an extensive range available locally.

“Most of our clients are international business travelers 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 travelers 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.

© italiancar.net 19/12/06