Coscharis brings Sixt car rental to Nigeria

Coscharis Motors and German car rental firm, SIXT A.G, have entered into a new partnership aimed at improving tourism and the logistic activities in the country through a car rental, vehicle lease and haulage business.

The partnership will raise the stakes for service excellence and maintain market leadership in the mobility service sector by delivering best value in terms of pricing, fleet quality, service, which ensures SIXT Nigeria’s long-term growth and commensurate returns to all stakeholders.

Josiah Samuel, group managing director of Coscharis Group, said Coscharis Group as a franchise partner is known for many years of experience and excellence in service with the vision of making SIXT the number one car rental company with a difference in years to come.

“SIXT Nigeria will not only provide service, but will also see to the growth of the clients business as working as their partners. It drives through this road of success, we will anchor our strength on the unbeatable support and friendships of SIXT headquarters staff,” he said.

For Detlef Krehahn, head of Franchise at SIXT GmBH, Germany, “We are pleased to have acquired such an experienced franchise partner in Nigeria. Business travellers in particular will profit from the company’s high standards of quality and service as they increasingly visit this country, which has strong potential for economic growth.”

Also speaking, Coscharis chairman, Cosmas Maduka, said the objective of the partnership is to make Coscharis the leading provider of mobility service and rental cars in the expanding markets of Nigeria and West Africa. “As a vertically integrated automobile services group, with services spanning premium car distribution, auto-component sales, emerging interests in auto-assembly, among others, the Group seeks to broaden the spectrum and deepen the value derived by the buying public from auto products,” he said.

According to the chairman, “The partnership has been informed by the inherent synergies between the operations of the company and SIXT Nigeria, our German trade links as exclusive importers of BMW vehicles and the German heritage of SIXT A.G, the preeminent car rental and mobility solutions provider in Germany and Austria.”

SIXT, founded in 1912 in Munich, Germany, is one of the first car rental and mobility service providers in the world. Today, it is present in over 120 countries in all continents. It is the No. 1 car rental company in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Israel offering the finest vehicle selection in the market.

SIXT rents cars from over 4,000 locations globally and owns the world’s largest premium limousine fleet and purchases over 200,000 vehicles annually. It has got 114,000 leasing contracts worldwide. Clients can choose from small compact cars, convertibles, SUVs, vans and trucks to the largest BMW fleet in the world, always at affordable prices.

With travel you enjoy exclusive benefits from numerous partners, do business with SIXT, and collect points, miles and other discounts with well over 40 airlines and hotels.

It is a global player supplying high-quality mobility solutions. The wide range of products and the quality of its services give the SIXT Company and its subsidiaries a unique market position. And it stands for innovative products and a high standard of service and quality.

SIXT Nigeria was previously run by Virtual Travel Network and Management Services Ltd before they lost the franchise and now entering the local market in cooperation with a strong partner. Since May 1, 2013 the company has been offering flexible, high-comfort mobility solutions in the West African country.

Its fleet includes everything from short- and long-term rentals to its classic chauffeur service. In Nigeria, SIXT also offers a car-plus-driver service, which allows a driver to be hired even for short-term rentals.

SIXT is cooperating with the Coscharis Group franchisees in Nigeria. Coscharis Group has over 30 years’ experience in the industry and distinguishes itself by ensuring the highest quality standards as well as first-class service. SIXT will offer its clients in Nigeria a comprehensive rental vehicle fleet.

The range of models will include all vehicle classes – from well-equipped small and medium-sized cars to premium vehicles, SUVs, trucks and armoured vehicles for high-ranking executives and government officials. The Coscharis Group is the exclusive partner dealer in Nigeria of BMW, Jaguar, Range Rover, Mini, MG and Ford.

Since May, SIXT clients in Nigeria have been able to collect their vehicles from two locations in Lagos, the country’s largest metropolitan area. One branch is located in Victoria Island and another in Ikeja, close to the airport, with approval for a desk space at the city airport.

SIXT plans to extend its network of locations in the country with additional branches in Abuja, which is located in the interior, and in the coastal city of Port Harcourt. Clients can book the vehicle of their choice in Nigeria by going online.

Its entry into the market in cooperation with a strong franchise partner brings it a step closer to achieving its aim of full coverage on the African continent. SIXT’s rent-a-car is already present in countries like Angola, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania and Tunisia with strong international partners.

According to Maduka, SIXT Nigeria will deliver the best value for money through its best competitive rental pricing structure, citing air miles and hotel points which its individual and corporate clients enjoy as part of the loyalty rewards.

To meet the target, the chairman noted, “Our chauffeurs are not just highly literate but undergo rigorous training in line with SIXT standards. Furthermore, they are trained to function as concierges serving your needs at your destination.”

SIXT has an array of international accolades, among which is the Seven Star Global Luxury Award as the best car rental company.

By: Mike Ochonma