KUALA LUMPUR: The demand for rental cars during the Hari Raya holidays has gone through the roof with some operators being fully booked since the first week of Ramadan.
Subcar car rental service manager, Mohd Shuib Bahari, 40, said that their fleet of 20 multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) have all been booked for a minimum duration of at least one week.
Among the MPVs customers booked are the Perodua Alza, Toyota Wish, Hyundai Starex, Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire.
"We have set a minimum duration for car rentals during the Hari Raya for a period of five days, and on average, they rent for seven days. Usually, for this Aidilfitri season, they will request to use MPVs. Alhamdulillah, the response has been encouraging. Those with large families will opt for MPVs.
"When it comes to long-distance travel, they also need ample storage space," he told Harian Metro.
In terms of pricing, Mohd Shuib added that it varies depending on the type of vehicle used.
He said they charge a daily rental fee of RM200 for the Perodua Alza, RM450 for the Hyundai Starex, and anywhere between RM700 to RM800 per day for the Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire.
"The rental rates also depend on the customers' bookings.
"For last-minute bookings, the prices are slightly higher. For example, the Perodua Alza should be priced at RM200, but for those who book last minute for a week's use, it could be RM250 to RM350 per day.
"These desperate customers will just take it because they want to return for the holidays and they have the money (to spend)," he said.
He noted that most of the customers who booked rental cars with them are those who will be returning to celebrate Hari Raya in the east coast and northern regions.