New and existing Europcar customers will benefit from a larger fleet and greater regional accessibility throughout Western Australia after the company inked a major long-term franchise agreement with leading local car rental provider AUS Fleet Solutions (AFS).

The partnership will see the fleet of vehicles under the Europcar brand in Australia increase by over 3000, ranging from utes, trucks, buses and 4WDs, and see the addition of nine new Europcar branded stations throughout the state.

Stations will be added in Bassendean, Bunbury, Busselton, Geraldton, Onslow, Port Hedland, Paraburdoo, Osborne Park and Welshpool, which are in addition to Europcar’s Perth City, Perth Airport, Exmouth and Broome locations. The expansion cements Europcar’s footprint in WA as the local car rental industry prepares to ramp up ahead of borders reopening.

The expansion will deliver greater convenience for customers, enabling them to explore all regions of WA as well as enhance existing commercial vehicle opportunities.

With an expected increase in demand for domestic travel throughout 2022, Europcar Managing Director Benoit Garel said the partnership will provide customers even greater choice in Western Australia.

“This partnership comes at a particularly strategic time as Western Australia prepares to reopen to Australia in 2022. We anticipate high demand for car rental in the state and this partnership puts us in a strong position to cater for Europcar customers wanting to rediscover the west,” he said.

“There are great synergies between our two businesses. Europcar’s status as an innovative, market leading global brand along with AUS Fleet Solutions’ esteemed reputation established over 40 years will provide an even greater service for our customers.

“Whether it be general consumers who wish travel and experience all that WA has to offer or businesses looking to expand their commercial vehicle fleets, this partnership will create greater options and locations for our customers.

“Particularly I look forward to enhancing the network and accessibility we now have in both metropolitan and regional WA.”