Home Travel News

Feeling the hire car squeeze? Jucy pumps $40m to expand fleet in Australasia

One of Australasia’s largest vehicle rental operators, Jucy will invest $40million to expand the company's fleet of campervans and cars, providing an additional 1,000 new vehicles and opening new office locations around Australia.

One of Australasia’s largest vehicle rental operators, Jucy will invest $40million to expand the company’s fleet of campervans and cars, providing an additional 1,000 new vehicles and opening new office locations around Australia.

The investment is expected to ease the car and campervan hire shortage after a significant proportion of Australia’s rental fleet was sold by operators to cover overhead expenses during the pandemic.

Jucy CEO Dan Alpe said the increased fleet capacity – funded by Sydney private equity firm Next Capital, which will take a majority stake in Jucy – will accelerate the company’s trans-Tasman expansion as the industry moves forward from COVID.

“What we can see from our forward bookings is the Australian tourism market is responding much faster than expected and we are now looking at accelerating our growth strategy to meet the growing demand in the self-drive visitor segment,” Mr Alpe said.

“Our data shows the summer peak of inbound international tourists will start earlier than normal and we are on the way to pre-pandemic levels.

“This rebound in tourism numbers is driven by visitors from the European market, which means the Australian market will likely face a supply shortfall.”

Jucy campervan rental near kangaroo in Crowdy Bay, NSW
Jucy is on the go. This kangaroo is not.

Mr Alpe said the $40 million investment will be used to purchase, fit out and deploy 500 new campervans each across Australia and New Zealand, with the first vehicles on the road within the next four months.

“Jucy’s fleet of campervans has remained relatively intact; however, it is well below the levels required to meet projected demand,” he said.

“The first of the new vehicles will be on Australia roads in time for the summer season but well short of what will be needed to meet demand.

“At the current rate, we are forecasting a full recovery to pre-COVID levels by November 2023.”

For more info, head to jucy.com/au