--- title: New Zealand Rental Vehicle Market Insights Report February 2020 description: MarginFuel’s report summarises the Average Market Rate of the NZ Rental Car Market for February 2020, showing key vehicle categories and locations. --- [![MF-logo-white](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Logos/MF-logo-white.png?width=1992&height=458&name=MF-logo-white.png "MF-logo-white")](https://www.marginfuel.com/?hsLang=en-nz) [![Free Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3819590/790528bc-2881-4044-ad5f-dec24c97ad6e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3819590/790528bc-2881-4044-ad5f-dec24c97ad6e) ** ** [![marginfuel logo](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/Logos/MF-logo-hori-strapline.png?width=3480&height=878&name=MF-logo-hori-strapline.png "marginfuel logo")](https://www.marginfuel.com/?hsLang=en-nz) [![Free Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3819590/790528bc-2881-4044-ad5f-dec24c97ad6e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3819590/790528bc-2881-4044-ad5f-dec24c97ad6e) ** ** **Menu** ** ** [![Free Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3819590/790528bc-2881-4044-ad5f-dec24c97ad6e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3819590/790528bc-2881-4044-ad5f-dec24c97ad6e) ![cars parked](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cars%20parked.jpg?width=1350&name=cars%20parked.jpg "cars parked") # New Zealand Rental Vehicle Market Insights Report **February 2020** 16th Edition | Issued 2nd March 2020 ## **SECTION 1 FEBRUARY 2020 ANALYSIS** ## Year on Year (YoY^) Average Rate Change • For all three locations, across all sales channels, the average rate was lower by -8% YoY • The average rate for Auckland Airport (AKL) -5% lower versus prior year • Christchurch Airport (CHC) average rate was -8% YoY • Queenstown Airport (ZQN) average rate was -10% YoY ![1-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/1-2.png) ## Channel, Duration and Vehicle Category Refer to sales channels (Fig.2), duration (Fig.3) and vehicle category (Fig.4) graphs for the average rates during the month. As it is still peak season, the average rate for all durations and vehicle categories remains high as is the seasonal norm during the peak season . ![2-4](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2-4.png?width=417&height=325&name=2-4.png) Fig. 2 ![3-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-2.png?width=415&height=330&name=3-2.png) Fig. 3 ![4-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-2.png?width=411&height=360&name=4-2.png) Fig. 4 ## Auckland Airport YoY Summary Overall Auckland Airport had a YoY average rate decrease of -5%. The Direct sales channel average rate was -13% lower, the Gross Agent OTA decreased -22%, while the Net Agent OTA sales channels showed an increase +7% (Fig. 5). The average rate for 3-day duration decreased -9%, while the average rate for 7-day duration was -1%, and 14-day duration -4% (Fig. 6). The average rate for the larger vehicle classes, SUV and Intermediate were lower by -8% and -9% respectively, while the smaller Compact and Economy vehicles were up between +4% and +2% (Fig. 7). ![5-3](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5-3.png?width=376&height=330&name=5-3.png) Fig. 5 ![6-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/6-2.png?width=379&height=325&name=6-2.png) Fig. 6 ![7-3](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/7-3.png?width=373&height=353&name=7-3.png) Fig. 7 ## Christchurch Airport YoY Summary Overall Christchurch Airport had a YoY average rate decrease of -8%. The Direct sales channel average rate was -10% lower, the Gross Agent OTA decreased -17%, while the Net Agent OTA sales channels showed a decrease of -1% (Fig. 8). The average rate for 3-day duration decreased -11%, while the average rate for 7-day duration was -8%, and 14-day duration -6% (Fig. 9). The average rate for the larger vehicle classes, SUV and Intermediate were lower by -12% and -15% respectively, while the smaller Compact and Economy vehicles were lower between -3% and -2% (Fig. 10). ![8-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8-2.png?width=375&height=325&name=8-2.png) Fig. 8 ![9-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/9-2.png?width=377&height=323&name=9-2.png) Fig. 9 ![10-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/10-2.png?width=374&height=328&name=10-2.png) Fig. 10 ![Jul19-fig8a](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Content/Market%20Monitor/July%202019/Graphs/Jul19-fig8a.png?width=200&height=35&name=Jul19-fig8a.png) ## Queenstown Airport YoY Summary Overall Queenstown Airport had a YoY average rate decrease of -10%. The Direct sales channel average rate was -10% lower, the Gross Agent OTA decreased -23%, while the Net Agent OTA sales channels showed a decrease of -4% (Fig. 11). The average rate for 3-day duration decreased -16%, while the average rate for 7-day duration was -7%, and 14-day duration -7% (Fig. 12). The average rate for the larger vehicle classes, SUV and Intermediate lower by -14%, while the smaller Compact and Economy vehicles were lower between -5% and -3% (Fig.13). ![11-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/11-2.png?width=376&height=330&name=11-2.png) Fig. 11 ![12-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/12-2.png?width=377&height=321&name=12-2.png) Fig. 12 ![13-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/13-2.png?width=375&height=346&name=13-2.png) Fig. 13 ## **SECTION 2 YEAR TO DATE (YTD) ANALYSIS FROM OCTOBER 2019 TO JANUARY 2020** ## Year to Date (YTD) Analysis: October 2019 to January 2020 - Average rates levelled off in February 2020 as the market tightened post Christmas (Fig.14), but if averaged across both January and February 2020, then average rates were flat compared to prior year, with this trend being consistent across all locations (Fig.15 to Fig.17). ![14-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14-2.png?width=368&height=262&name=14-2.png) Fig. 14 ![15-1](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/15-1.png?width=381&height=305&name=15-1.png) Fig. 15 ![16-1](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/16-1.png?width=377&height=308&name=16-1.png) Fig. 16 ![17-1](https://www.marginfuel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/17-1.png?width=359&height=306&name=17-1.png) Fig. 17 ## **SECTION 3 FORWARD MARKET ANALYSIS FROM FEBRUARY TO AUGUST 2020** ## Forward Market Analysis ## February to August 2020 As noted in the previous report, the strong January 2020 month (largely due to the seasonal timing of national & school holidays, along with Chinese New Year) was followed by a softer February 2020 (Fig.18), and these trends were consistent for all regions (Fig.19 t o Fig.21). At the time of writing the report impacts of the Coronavirus were starting to show, and this will be fully reflective in the March 2020 r eport. > ***Market Insider Tip:*** > > The near term forward market is softening as a result of the Coronavirus per Fig.18 to Fig21. > However, the weaker international demand during the coming months can be managed using a number of pricing and fleet strategies, such as, domestic & Australian pricing campaigns, and tight fleet management based on > forecasting. > We will be working our customers to assist them with strategies and making best use of the MarginFuel forecast over the coming months. > There is also a trend of later than normal cancellations as customers leave travel decisions to the last minute, along with a high portion of postponed travel. Again, these are modelled in the MarginFuel forecast and have a very > unique trend profile. ![18-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/18-2.png) Fig. 18 ![19-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/19-2.png) Fig. 19 ![20-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/20-2.png) Fig. 20 ![21-2](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/21-2.png) Fig. 21 ## Forward Market Analysis - Easter 2020 ## 6th April 2020 to 19th April 2020 • For the Easter 2020 season, for all three locations, across all sales channels, there is currently an overall YoY Average Rate decrease of -17% (Fig. 22) • Auckland Airport is showing a YoY average rate decrease of -10% • Christchurch and Queenstown Airports are showing an YoY average rate decrease of -16% and -22% respectively • The Average Rate across all the sales channels were lower between -13% and -15% (Fig.23) • The shorter 3-day duration is lower YoY by -18%, while the longer durations are down between -14% and -15% (Fig.24) • All vehicle categories have a lower average rate of between -11% to -23% (Fig. 25) > ***Market Insider Tip:*** > > The Easter 2020 season will take proactive, > controlled strategies to ensure tight pricing and fleet management, as we expect there to be a material impact as a result of the Coronavirus. > The severity of the impact for Easter 2020 will be primarily dependant on the containment of the virus in New Zealand and Australia. > Being fully aware of competitor pricing, along with utilising the MarginFuel forecast are key elements in understanding the marketplace, > which will in turn remove uncertainty. > > Make sure your fleet mix is correct: traditionally SUVs and 4x4s are very popular in Christchurch. ![22](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/22.png) Fig. 22 ![23](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/23.png) Fig. 23 ![24](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/24.png) Fig. 24 ![25](https://www.marginfuel.com/hubfs/25.png) Fig. 25 ## Methodology & Disclaimer **Methodology:** - The data was derived from circa. four (4) million datapoints, and this size dataset was deemed large enough to draw reasonable conclusions - Inconsistent outlying datapoints were removed - The data collected is from 13 individual rental vehicles (a mix of independent, franchise, small, medium and large operators, and thus the data includes the relative mixture of on and off airport operators) - The data collected from the 13 rental vehicle operators have been anonymised and aggregated, then displayed to provide a general reflection of the overall market - The pickup days included in the data are Tuesdays and Fridays **Terminology:** - Net Agent OTA: Is an agent who receives a wholesale price from the operator and then marks up that price to the level they want to sell in the market. In New Zealand an example of a Net Agent is [RentalCars.com](http://rentalcars.com/) - Gross Agent OTA: Is an agent who is paid by commission and sells at an agreed price. In New Zealand an example of a Gross Agent is [Airport Rentals](https://www.airportrentals.com/) **Disclaimer:** This report is intended as a guide only. ### Enter your details here to download a copy of this report ### MarginFuel MarginFuel  Level 12, 20 Customhouse Quay Wellington Central Wellington 6011 New Zealand [hello@marginfuel.com](mailto:%20hello@marginfuel.com)   MarginFuel European Office Nieder Kirchweg 9 65934 Frankfurt am Main Germany MarginFuel Americas Office 281 Belleview Blvd Unit 101 Belleair, Clearwater Florida 33756 USA ### Sign up for our newsletter Copyright © 2026 Pricetech Limited. All Rights Reserved. ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1536156&fmt=gif)