As a reader of AF-regardless if you're involved in renting-you may be interested in how the story came about. Early this year at the annual meeting of the Car and Truck Renting and Leasing Assn. Edward J. Bobit, editor and publisher of AF sat in on proceedings at which it was debated whether CATRALA should underwrite the expensive task of bringing the history of car renting to print. While there was unanimous agreement that such a project would be most worthwhile, it was dropped because of the lack of available funds.
While at the CATRALA meeting and later, Ed Bobit had lengthy discussions with such industry leaders as the Saunders brothers, Walter Jacobs and Win Marrow. He became fascinated with the history of the industry. Finally, Howard Smith, executive secretary of CATRALA, suggested to Ed that AUTOMOTIVE FLEET consider the possibility of writing the history of car renting. As Ed said later, "Smith and I were on the same wave length. I was already considering the idea."
The report was in preparation for several months and checks were made with all the leaders in the industry. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first full-scale report ever to be published about the history of car renting.
We started out planning early this summer. One of the major problems confronting us was where to start. With few exceptions, there is little printed material available about the early days of car renting. It was decided to begin with the men largely given credit for starting the industry-fine Saunders brothers. Contact was made with Joe and Harris Saunders and both agreed to outline their early day experiences. Walter Jacobs, former head of Hertz Corp., also was called upon to relate his early experiences.
For the latter day history of renting, AUTOMOTIVE FLEET went to such men as R.A. Petersen of Hertz, Walter Phillips of National, and Win Morrow of Avis. Field trips were made to interview small, independent renting men. Newcomers to the field were also sought out.
The one thing that impressed Ed Bobit and myself the most was the eager co-operation we received from everyone called upon. Without their most helpful assistance, it would have been impossible to publish the history of renting. Our hats are off-along with a warm felt thanks to all those who helped.
The rental industry is a dynamic and relatively new force in the car fleet field. It has badgered the thoughts of almost every automotive man. To the automakers, car rental firms represent a big chunk of business-and it is ever growing. Indeed, car renting has grown from an embryo to a robust adolescent. And it has the potential of mushrooming into a business giant.
Why is the growth potential of car renting so great? While there are many underlying factors, the major reason is that car renting is a convenience that the public likes. This is something that rent-a-car operators should never forget. While they are filling a public need, they cannot forget that they are serving the public. Too often service industries overlook this basic fact with dire consequences. I for one do not believe that the nation's railroads would be faced with their present economic problems if they had paid more attention to the public's needs and not looked upon passenger service as something of a necessary evil.
Fortunately, the majority of rent-a-car operators realize that they must serve the public. Free pickup and delivery, seat belts and trip assistance are just a few of the "extras" offered by renting firms. Let's keep it up!
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