Queensland is open for business – just ask homegrown success story Apollo Motorhome Holidays, which is expanding with the stellar launch of three styles of caravans and the very first four-berth 4WD vehicle on the market.

The world’s largest privately owned recreational vehicle operator, born and bred in the sunshine state, is introducing not just one but two new exciting products to its fleet.

Clock here for the full thanks to Travel Blackboard

Check out some of Transfercar’s great free to drive cars and campervans!

By Mark Clothier

May 9 (Bloomberg) — Hertz Global Holdings Inc., the largest publicly traded rental-car company, offered to buy Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. for $2.24 billion in cash and stock, topping a bid by Avis Budget Group Inc.

Hertz offered $72 a share, 24 percent more than Avis’s offer, the Park Ridge, New Jersey-based company said today in a statement. Dollar Thrifty rose $9.58, or 14 percent, to $79.27 at 4:01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, the biggest jump since May 3, 2010, when Avis proposed making a counter bid to Hertz’s original offer.

Full story thanks to Bloomberg Business Week

Check out Transfercar’s great free travel deals!

Mercedes-Benz Vans and Europcar have signed a memorandum of understanding under which Mercedes-Benz Vans will supply “a number” of Vito E-CELL vans to Europcar for customer trials in Hamburg, Germany, and Paris, France, the companies said in a statement.

Also under the agreement the two companies will explore and analyze customer profiles and behaviors involving the use of electric vehicles in cities, and how rental services can be adapted to cater to this demand.

Select Mercedes-Benz dealerships will be responsible for servicing the Vito E-CELLs vans and will receive practical training on the vehicles.

The Vito E-CELL’s electric motor has an output of 60 kW and 206 lb.ft. of torque, a top speed limited to 50 mph and a range of about 80 miles.

Story thanks to Auto Rental News

Check out Transfercar for great relocation deals!

The Hertz Corporation unveiled this week a global, multi-faceted branding initiative designed to cultivate a dialogue with customers by focusing on customers’ driving experiences. Built around the question “Are You The Gas or The Brake,” — focusing on the universal element of how people operate as either the Gas (more aggressive, exciting, adventurous) or the Brake (conservative, reserved, more of a planner) — the campaign acknowledges the wide range of “travel personalities” and serves as a platform to address the different wants, needs and aspirations of customers. Hertz will use the platform to illustrate the flexibility provided by its products and services and its ability to fulfill a variety of travel preferences. The campaign debuts this week, with the launch of a “Getaway Giveaway” sweepstakes and contest, a multi-million dollar advertising campaign, and an online consumer engagement platform. The first television ads are scheduled to appear on May 4.

Read the full story thanks to Auto Rental News

It’s not surprising that Australian travellers look for good deals before deciding on the location they want to travel to. When you live in a country as beautiful as OZ, who cares where you go as long as it’s cheap!

A study, conducted by Internet travel company Travelzoo found that 56 per cent of Australian travellers book their holidays based purely on the best available travel deals, and not on locations.

71 percent of those surveyed also claimed that they look for package deals rather than one off bargains as you can get more for your money and travel further afield. Also, out of the 1,786 Travelzoo subscribers surveyed, 55% stated that they would happily book a vacation solely based on the fact that it was too good to miss.

This being the case, it would seem perfectly reasonable for all Australian travellers to check out Transfercar’s relocation cars and campervans, and base their travel destinations on what vehicles are available and where they are going!

Like I said…it’s Australia…who cares where you end up, it’s all pretty spectacular anyway!

We are all aware that private vehicles are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions globally. OK…possibly not quite as high as the agriculture sector (why NZ introduced the FART TAX!), but significant all the same.

Since many of us are not yet ready to ditch the wheels and put on a pair of rollerblades, we have to do our part in reducing these emissions while still enjoying the freedom and pleasure our cool little free relocation cars or campervans gives us without the guilt trip of killing the planet.

Also, being a green tourist does not only apply to getting around. It means so much more.

Here’s some ideas that will not only help save the planet, but will help save your wallet in the process: (more…)