Car Rental Market

Car Rental Market Size by Vehicle Type (Executive Cars, Economy Cars, Luxury Cars, SUVs and MUVs), Application (Business and Leisure/Tourism), Booking Type (Online and Offline), Rental Length (Short Term and Long Term), End User (Chauffeur-Driven and Self-Driven), Regions, Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2023 to 2032

Base Year: 2022 Historical Data: 2019-21
  • Report ID: TBI-13866
  • Published Date: Dec, 2023
  • Pages: 237
  • Category: Automotive & Transportation
  • Format: PDF
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The global Car Rental market generated USD 115.83 billion revenue in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.03% from 2023 to 2032. The market is expected to reach USD 329.78 billion by 2032. The substantial increase in global business and leisure travel has become a key catalyst for the escalating demand for car rental services, consequently fostering the industry's growth. Enhanced internet accessibility in developing and developed nations has proven instrumental for market companies, facilitating the expansion of their customer base through dedicated mobile apps designed for customer convenience. Technology stands out as a pivotal factor propelling market growth. Additionally, the increasing production of automobiles emerges as another significant contributor to the expanding car rental market.

Market Introduction:

Car rental refers to a service where individuals or businesses can temporarily hire a vehicle for a particular period, generally ranging from a few hours to several days. This service allows customers to access various vehicles, ranging from luxury cars to compact cars, SUVs, and vans, providing flexibility to meet various transportation needs. Customers often opt for car rental services for reasons such as travel, business trips, vacations, or when their vehicles are undergoing maintenance. Car rental companies operate through rental offices, online platforms, or mobile apps, offering a straightforward booking process for users. Key features of car rental services include the ability to choose specific car models, flexible rental periods, and often inclusive packages covering insurance and roadside assistance. The industry has witnessed technological advancements, with many car rental companies implementing mobile apps for seamless bookings, vehicle tracking, and digital customer communication. Car rental services have become integral to the broader transportation ecosystem, providing a convenient and on-demand alternative to traditional car ownership. This model aligns with consumers' evolving preferences, prioritizing flexibility and cost-effectiveness in their transportation choices. Additionally, car rental services contribute to reducing environmental impact by promoting shared vehicle usage, aligning with sustainability goals in the transportation sector.

Car Rental Market Size

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Recent Development
  • In October 2023: Toyota has declared its acquisition of Ezi Car Rental, a prominent New Zealand-based rental car enterprise. Ezi, known for being one of the largest Kiwi-owned and operated rental car businesses, becomes a pivotal addition as Toyota advances its mobility ecosystem within New Zealand. This strategic move enables Toyota to direct its focus on car ownership and the evolving landscape of car usage. This development aligns seamlessly with Toyota's existing ownership of Cityhop, positioning the company favourably within the automotive landscape. Recognizing the significance of the car rental industry, particularly as a vital support for New Zealand's tourism sector, which contributes approximately 3% to the country's GDP, Toyota underscores its commitment to expanding its value chain.    
  • In June 2023: Uber Technologies, Inc. has revealed its intentions to introduce peer-to-peer car sharing in North America, commencing with Toronto and Boston, as part of its Go-Get product event in London. Following acquiring the local startup Car Next Door, Uber successfully launched a carsharing service in Australia last year, now rebranded as Uber Carshare. This service empowers users to rent out their vehicles, offering the flexibility of hourly or daily rentals. Through the Uber Carshare app, customers in these cities can easily browse and reserve available vehicles, with the requirement to return the rented car to the designated pick-up location. While Uber will propose pricing incorporating fuel costs, owners retain the authority to establish the final price and determine availability.
  • In May 2023: Getaround, the pioneering connected car-sharing marketplace globally, has unveiled Getaround TrustScore v2.0, an innovative proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) model designed to enhance its car-sharing platform's safety and economic efficiency. Initial findings indicate potential savings of up to 50% in claims and insurance expenses, significantly impacting one of the company's major cost centers. Getaround TrustScore v2.0 leverages machine learning and more than a decade of data from trips conducted on its platform to deliver optimized pricing and security deposits tailored to each car-sharing journey. By integrating Getaround TrustScore, the company can precisely assess risk on trips, offering upfront transparency regarding guest payments while reducing insurance expenditures. The advanced AI system, Getaround TrustScore, foresees a substantial reduction of up to 50% in insurance and claims costs.    

Market Dynamics:

Drivers

Increasing Travel and Tourism - The rising trend of travel and tourism plays a substantial role in driving the car rental market. As more people explore domestic and international destinations, a growing need for rental cars is needed to facilitate convenient and flexible transportation.

Urbanization and Congestion - Rapid urbanization and increased congestion in cities lead to a preference for rental cars as a flexible and efficient means of transportation. Car rentals provide a convenient alternative to owning a vehicle in densely populated urban areas.

Increasing Business Travel - The corporate sector's reliance on business travel contributes to the demand for rental cars. Many companies prefer renting vehicles for their employees during business trips, conferences, and client meetings, driving the growth of the car rental industry.

Restraints:

High Operational Costs - Car rental companies incur significant operational costs related to vehicle maintenance, insurance, fuel, and staff. Fluctuations in fuel prices and maintenance expenses can impact profit margins, posing a challenge to the industry's overall financial health.

Stringent Regulatory Environment - The car rental market is subject to various regulations, including licensing requirements, safety standards, and environmental regulations. Adherence to these regulations can be complex and costly, adding a layer of challenge for companies in the industry.

Opportunities:

Rising Demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) - As the global focus on sustainability increases, there is a growing demand for electric vehicles. Car rental companies can seize the opportunity to expand their fleets with electric or hybrid vehicles, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

Integration of Advanced Technologies - Embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and data analytics can enhance customer experience. Implementing smart car rental solutions, including keyless entry and mobile app-based services, can streamline operations and attract tech-savvy customers.

Partnerships with Ride-Sharing Services - Collaborating with ride-sharing platforms lets car rental companies tap into a broader customer base. Integrating rental services with ride-sharing apps can provide seamless transportation solutions for users looking for flexibility and convenience.

Challenges:

Supply Chain Disruptions - Car rental companies rely on a steady supply of vehicles from manufacturers. Any disruptions in the automotive supply chain, such as component shortages or production delays, can lead to a scarcity of new vehicles for rental fleets.

Fluctuating Fuel Prices - Fuel price volatility can significantly impact car rental companies' operational costs. Sudden spikes in fuel prices can lead to increased expenses and affect profit margins, especially if these costs cannot be passed on to the consumer through higher rental rates.

Regional segmentation analysis:

The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. North America emerged as the most prominent global Car Rental market, with a 48.51% market revenue share in 2022.

North America, particularly the United States and Canada, has a well-established and prosperous economy. High disposable income levels among the population contribute to a robust demand for various services, including car rentals. Consumers in this region often have the financial capacity to afford rental cars for leisure travel, business trips, and other purposes. North America boasts a well-developed and extensive transportation infrastructure, including an extensive network of roads, highways, and airports. This infrastructure facilitates travel, making it convenient for individuals to rent cars for both short and long distances. Furthermore, the region attracts a significant number of domestic and international tourists, as well as business travellers. Major cities, tourist destinations, and business hubs in North America create a continuous demand for rental cars to meet transportation needs. The diverse geography and attractions in the region make car rentals a popular choice for exploring various destinations. Additionally, North America has a strong car culture with a historical emphasis on personal vehicle ownership. This cultural aspect contributes to familiarity and comfort for residents and visitors when using rental cars. The convenience of having a personal vehicle for specific purposes aligns with the lifestyle in many North American cities and suburbs. The Middle East region is expected to gain a good market share over the forecast period. The Middle East is a hub for both international tourism and business activities. Nations such as the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia attract tourists and business travellers. Car rentals are essential for visitors exploring the region or business professionals attending meetings and conferences. In addition, the Middle East has witnessed extensive infrastructure development, including the construction of modern airports, highways, and urban centers. This infrastructure development enhances the accessibility and connectivity within the region, creating a favourable environment for car rental services. The Middle East is known for its high-income population, with a strong demand for luxury and premium cars. Many tourists and residents prefer renting upscale vehicles for special occasions or events to experience higher comfort and style.

North America Region Car Rental Market Share in 2022 - 48.51%

 

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Vehicle Type Segment Analysis

The vehicle type segment is classified into executive cars, economy cars, luxury cars, SUVs and MUVs. The economy cars segment dominated the market, with a share of around 37.19% in 2022. Economy cars are generally more affordable in terms of both rental rates and fuel efficiency. This cost-effectiveness makes them a popular choice for budget-conscious travellers, whether individuals or corporate clients. Economy cars are known for fuel efficiency, a crucial consideration for car rental companies and customers. Lower fuel costs make economy cars economical for travellers, especially those covering long distances. Smaller and more manoeuvrable economy cars are practical in urban environments, where traffic congestion and limited parking can be challenges. These cars are well-suited for city driving and are easier to park in crowded areas.

Application Segment Analysis

The application segment is divided into business and leisure/tourism. The leisure/tourism segment dominated the market, with a share of around 62.39% in 2022. Leisure and tourism travellers often prioritize flexibility in their itineraries. Renting a car allows them to explore destinations at their own pace, visit off-the-beaten-path locations, and make impromptu stops, enhancing their overall travel experience. Leisure travellers find car rentals essential, especially those exploring regions with multiple attractions or remote areas. A rental car allows them to visit diverse regional destinations, including natural parks, scenic routes, and historical sites, where public transportation may be limited. Additionally, car rentals provide access to remote or less accessible areas that public transportation may not serve well. This factor is particularly significant for travellers seeking unique and immersive experiences off the typical tourist path.

Booking Type Segment Analysis

The booking type segment is split into online and offline. The online segment dominated the market, with a share of around 66.15% in 2022. Online booking platforms provide customers the convenience of reserving a rental car from anywhere with internet access. This accessibility allows travellers to plan and book their transportation well in advance or on short notice. Furthermore, online booking systems offer real-time information on vehicle availability, pricing, and promotions. This clarity helps customers to make informed decisions based on current market conditions, ensuring they secure the best possible deals. Additionally, online platforms provide a global reach, enabling customers to book rental cars in various locations worldwide. Many online booking websites and apps also offer multilingual support, enhancing accessibility for international travellers.

Rental Length Segment Analysis

The rental length segment includes short term and long term. The short term segment dominated the market, with a share of around 75.04% in 2022. Short-term rentals allow customers to rent a car for specific durations, ranging from a few hours to a few days. This flexibility particularly appeals to individuals who may not require a vehicle for an extended period, such as tourists, weekend travellers, or those on short business trips. Short-term rentals are often more cost-effective for customers with short-duration needs. Paying for a few days of rental is generally more economical than committing to the higher costs associated with long-term rentals or ownership, making short-term options attractive for budget-conscious travellers. Moreover, short-term rentals cater to the needs of tourists and leisure travellers who typically have specific itineraries and require transportation. This segment constitutes a significant portion of the car rental market, particularly in popular tourist destinations.

End User Segment Analysis

The end user segment is split into chauffeur-driven and self-driven. The self-driven segment dominated the market, with a share of around 74.28% in 2022. Self-driven car rentals give customers the autonomy and independence to travel at their own pace and explore destinations without relying on external drivers. This factor aligns with the desire for personalized travel experiences and itinerary flexibility. In addition, renting a self-driven car allows customers to create flexible travel itineraries, making impromptu stops and deviations from planned routes. This flexibility is especially attractive to leisure travellers and tourists seeking to explore destinations on their own terms. Furthermore, self-driven rentals offer privacy and comfort that may be lacking in shared transportation options. Individuals or groups travelling together can enjoy a more intimate and personalized travel experience without the presence of a driver.

Some of the Key Market Players:
  • Avis Budget Group, Inc.
  • Al Futtaim Group
  • Bettercar Rental
  • Carzonrent India Pvt. Ltd.
  • China Auto Rental
  • Eco Rent A Car
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  • Europcar
  • Fast Rent a Car
  • Gataround
  • Localiza
  • National Car Rental
  • OLA
  • SOCAR Malaysia
  • SIXT
  • Shenzhen Topone Car Rental Co. Ltd
  • The Hertz Corporation
  • TT Car Transit
  • Toyota
  • Uber Technologies, Inc.
  • Zoomcar
  • Zipcar

Report Description:

Attribute Description
Market Size Revenue (USD Billion)
Market size value in 2022 USD 115.83 Billion
Market size value in 2032 USD 329.78 Billion
CAGR (2023 to 2032) 11.03%
Historical data 2019-2021
Base Year 2022
Forecast 2023-2032
Region The regions analyzed for the market are Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, North America, and Middle East & Africa. Furthermore, the regions are further analyzed at the country level.
Segments Vehicle Type, Application, Booking Type, Rental Length and End User

Frequesntly Asked Questions

As per The Brainy Insights, the size of the car rental market was valued at USD 115.83 billion in 2022 to USD 329.78 billion by 2032.

The global car rental market is growing at a CAGR of 11.03% during the forecast period 2023-2032.

North America became the largest market for car rental.

Increasing travel and tourism are driving the market's growth.

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This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2019 to 2032. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global Car Rental market based on below-mentioned segments:

Global Car Rental Market by Vehicle Type:

  • Executive Cars
  • Economy Cars        
  • Luxury Cars
  • SUVs
  • MUVs

Global Car Rental Market by Application:

  • Business
  • Leisure/Tourism

Global Car Rental Market by Booking Type:

  • Online         
  • Offline

Global Car Rental Market by Rental Length:

  • Short Term                 
  • Long Term

Global Car Rental Market by End User:

  • Chauffeur-Driven
  • Self-Driven 

Global Car Rental Market by Region:

  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • U.K.
    • Italy
    • Spain
  • Asia-Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
  • South America
    • Brazil
  • Middle East and Africa  
    • UAE
    • South Africa

Methodology

Research has its special purpose to undertake marketing efficiently. In this competitive scenario, businesses need information across all industry verticals; the information about customer wants, market demand, competition, industry trends, distribution channels etc. This information needs to be updated regularly because businesses operate in a dynamic environment. Our organization, The Brainy Insights incorporates scientific and systematic research procedures in order to get proper market insights and industry analysis for overall business success. The analysis consists of studying the market from a miniscule level wherein we implement statistical tools which helps us in examining the data with accuracy and precision. 

Our research reports feature both; quantitative and qualitative aspects for any market. Qualitative information for any market research process are fundamental because they reveal the customer needs and wants, usage and consumption for any product/service related to a specific industry. This in turn aids the marketers/investors in knowing certain perceptions of the customers. Qualitative research can enlighten about the different product concepts and designs along with unique service offering that in turn, helps define marketing problems and generate opportunities. On the other hand, quantitative research engages with the data collection process through interviews, e-mail interactions, surveys and pilot studies. Quantitative aspects for the market research are useful to validate the hypotheses generated during qualitative research method, explore empirical patterns in the data with the help of statistical tools, and finally make the market estimations.

The Brainy Insights offers comprehensive research and analysis, based on a wide assortment of factual insights gained through interviews with CXOs and global experts and secondary data from reliable sources. Our analysts and industry specialist assume vital roles in building up statistical tools and analysis models, which are used to analyse the data and arrive at accurate insights with exceedingly informative research discoveries. The data provided by our organization have proven precious to a diverse range of companies, facilitating them to address issues such as determining which products/services are the most appealing, whether or not customers use the product in the manner anticipated, the purchasing intentions of the market and many others.

Our research methodology encompasses an idyllic combination of primary and secondary initiatives. Key phases involved in this process are listed below:

MARKET RESEARCH PROCESS

Data Procurement:

The phase involves the gathering and collecting of market data and its related information with the help of different sources & research procedures.

The data procurement stage involves in data gathering and collecting through various data sources.

This stage involves in extensive research. These data sources includes:

Purchased Database: Purchased databases play a crucial role in estimating the market sizes irrespective of the domain. Our purchased database includes:

  • The organizational databases such as D&B Hoovers, and Bloomberg that helps us to identify the competitive scenario of the key market players/organizations along with the financial information.
  • Industry/Market databases such as Statista, and Factiva provides market/industry insights and deduce certain formulations. 
  • We also have contractual agreements with various reputed data providers and third party vendors who provide information which are not limited to:
    • Import & Export Data
    • Business Trade Information
    • Usage rates of a particular product/service on certain demographics mainly focusing on the unmet prerequisites

Primary Research: The Brainy Insights interacts with leading companies and experts of the concerned domain to develop the analyst team’s market understanding and expertise. It improves and substantiates every single data presented in the market reports. Primary research mainly involves in telephonic interviews, E-mail interactions and face-to-face interviews with the raw material providers, manufacturers/producers, distributors, & independent consultants. The interviews that we conduct provides valuable data on market size and industry growth trends prevailing in the market. Our organization also conducts surveys with the various industry experts in order to gain overall insights of the industry/market. For instance, in healthcare industry we conduct surveys with the pharmacists, doctors, surgeons and nurses in order to gain insights and key information of a medical product/device/equipment which the customers are going to usage. Surveys are conducted in the form of questionnaire designed by our own analyst team. Surveys plays an important role in primary research because surveys helps us to identify the key target audiences of the market. Additionally, surveys helps to identify the key target audience engaged with the market. Our survey team conducts the survey by targeting the key audience, thus gaining insights from them. Based on the perspectives of the customers, this information is utilized to formulate market strategies. Moreover, market surveys helps us to understand the current competitive situation of the industry. To be precise, our survey process typically involve with the 360 analysis of the market. This analytical process begins by identifying the prospective customers for a product or service related to the market/industry to obtain data on how a product/service could fit into customers’ lives.

Secondary Research: The secondary data sources includes information published by the on-profit organizations such as World bank, WHO, company fillings, investor presentations, annual reports, national government documents, statistical databases, blogs, articles, white papers and others. From the annual report, we analyse a company’s revenue to understand the key segment and market share of that organization in a particular region. We analyse the company websites and adopt the product mapping technique which is important for deriving the segment revenue. In the product mapping method, we select and categorize the products offered by the companies catering to domain specific market, deduce the product revenue for each of the companies so as to get overall estimation of the market size. We also source data and analyses trends based on information received from supply side and demand side intermediaries in the value chain. The supply side denotes the data gathered from supplier, distributor, wholesaler and the demand side illustrates the data gathered from the end customers for respective market domain.

The supply side for a domain specific market is analysed by:

  • Estimating and projecting penetration rates through analysing product attributes, availability of internal and external substitutes, followed by pricing analysis of the product.
  • Experiential assessment of year-on-year sales of the product by conducting interviews.

The demand side for the market is estimated through:

  • Evaluating the penetration level and usage rates of the product.
  • Referring to the historical data to determine the growth rate and evaluate the industry trends

In-house Library: Apart from these third-party sources, we have our in-house library of qualitative and quantitative information. Our in-house database includes market data for various industry and domains. These data are updated on regular basis as per the changing market scenario. Our library includes, historic databases, internal audit reports and archives.

Sometimes there are instances where there is no metadata or raw data available for any domain specific market. For those cases, we use our expertise to forecast and estimate the market size in order to generate comprehensive data sets. Our analyst team adopt a robust research technique in order to produce the estimates:

  • Applying demographic along with psychographic segmentation for market evaluation
  • Determining the Micro and Macro-economic indicators for each region 
  • Examining the industry indicators prevailing in the market. 

Data Synthesis: This stage involves the analysis & mapping of all the information obtained from the previous step. It also involves in scrutinizing the data for any discrepancy observed while data gathering related to the market. The data is collected with consideration to the heterogeneity of sources. Robust scientific techniques are in place for synthesizing disparate data sets and provide the essential contextual information that can orient market strategies. The Brainy Insights has extensive experience in data synthesis where the data passes through various stages:

  • Data Screening: Data screening is the process of scrutinising data/information collected from primary research for errors and amending those collected data before data integration method. The screening involves in examining raw data, identifying errors and dealing with missing data. The purpose of the data screening is to ensure data is correctly entered or not. The Brainy Insights employs objective and systematic data screening grades involving repeated cycles of quality checks, screening and suspect analysis.
  • Data Integration: Integrating multiple data streams is necessary to produce research studies that provide in-depth picture to the clients. These data streams come from multiple research studies and our in house database. After screening of the data, our analysts conduct creative integration of data sets, optimizing connections between integrated surveys and syndicated data sources. There are mainly 2 research approaches that we follow in order to integrate our data; top down approach and bottom up approach.

Market Deduction & Formulation: The final stage comprises of assigning data points at appropriate market spaces so as to deduce feasible conclusions. Analyst perspective & subject matter expert based holistic form of market sizing coupled with industry analysis also plays a crucial role in this stage.

This stage involves in finalization of the market size and numbers that we have collected from data integration step. With data interpolation, it is made sure that there is no gap in the market data. Successful trend analysis is done by our analysts using extrapolation techniques, which provide the best possible forecasts for the market.

Data Validation & Market Feedback: Validation is the most important step in the process. Validation & re-validation via an intricately designed process helps us finalize data-points to be used for final calculations.

The Brainy Insights interacts with leading companies and experts of the concerned domain to develop the analyst team’s market understanding and expertise. It improves and substantiates every single data presented in the market reports. The data validation interview and discussion panels are typically composed of the most experienced industry members. The participants include, however, are not limited to:

  • CXOs and VPs of leading companies’ specific to sector
  • Purchasing managers, technical personnel, end-users
  • Key opinion leaders such as investment bankers, and industry consultants

Moreover, we always validate our data and findings through primary respondents from all the major regions we are working on.

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