Sixt rent a car blog

Amber Snow Alert as Highways Agency Gritters Clock up a million miles of winter

Charlotte Scheggia — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:22:31 +0000

The Highways Agency, which manages England’s motorways and major A roads, has issued an amber alert for anyone planning to travel on large parts of its network this weekend.

The alert comes just as the Agency’s gritting fleet reaches the million mile landmark for treating roads since the start of winter.

“By this morning our winter fleet had clocked up 977,141 miles, so it’s pretty certain they’ll reach the million mark over the weekend,” says Jason Glasson of the Highways Agency’s winter team.

“It has been a busy week for our winter fleet crews as a result of the very cold weather and they are preparing for a busy weekend ahead.”

It is expected to stay very cold over the weekend, with snow in many areas.

Following advice from Met Office forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s national traffic operations centre, the Agency has issued an amber alert for road users. Snow is predicted to move across the north, Midlands, east and south east of England during Saturday afternoon and evening meaning an increased risk of adverse driving conditions.

As well as the more visible risk of snow, the Highways Agency is warning of the less obvious risk of ice, especially as any rain falls on very cold road surfaces.

The Met Office is forecasting temperatures tonight falling as low -6°C and -8°C in many places and perhaps as low as -11°C in rural areas.

Drivers are advised to make sure they are well-prepared for any journey. There is information on the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk/winter and regular updates on Twitter by following @winterhighways

Advice to road users

• In winter, weather can change quickly. Don’t travel in severe weather unless your journey is essential. If you must travel, be prepared for bad weather.

• Before you set out, check local and national weather forecasts. Listen to travel bulletins on the radio. Take an emergency kit including warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade.

• Remember that local conditions, such as bends or overhanging trees, can mean that you may need to drive with care even after road surfaces have been treated with salt.

Spy photos of the BMW i3

Charlotte Scheggia — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:24:38 +0000

The BMW 3 i was spied during a test session. These spy photos show a vehicle in the sub-brand i almost in its standard configuration, which was presented as the Megacity concept during the Frankfurt show the last year.

To date, these pictures are more explicit about the future look of the car. It shows for example the false LED lights from the back and side skirts for the aerodynamically sculpted front and rear tires.

The range “i”, launched under the nickname “Born Electric” was designed using the architectural philosophy of BMW “Live and Drive”, which separates the interior of the transmission. The center console was removed to maximize space usage.

The vehicle will be equipped with a 168 horsepower electric motor , mounted at the rear, which will reach 100 km / h in under 8 seconds, but 65 km / h in under 4 seconds, thanks to the couple immediately provided by the electric vehicle . 6 hours will be needed to fully recharge the vehicle, which will then have a range of 225 km. This range was made possible through the intelligent use of structural aluminum and carbon fiber / plastic. Its weight is lower than its rival, the Golf (1250 kg).

BMW hopes to sell 30,000 i3 within 12 months of its marketing in 2013. The price should start around € 35 000, not including any tax incentives possible.

Audi, Volkswagen and Chevrolet top the unthinkable with amazing super bowl adverts

Charlotte Scheggia — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:53:38 +0000

America is famously known for the Statue of Liberty, The Cheese Burger, Disney World, friendly people and of course American football’s Super Bowl. Being one of the most watched sports in the country, the super bowl had an estimated 111 million people watch the Green Bay Packers outlast the Pittsburgh Steelers in professional football’s 2011 game last year.

With over 111 million viewers, companies snap up the chance to be able to advertise between the event, competing for the trophy for being the most outrageous and engaging advert! and this year’s picks are no different, with our favourite car brands including Audi, VW and Chevrolet showing what they are made of!

Chevy’s ‘Stunt Ahthem’ for their new hatchback ‘sonic’ Be aware when watching this, it is not for the faint hearted! passengers are witnessed bungee jumping whilst in the car, sky diving, kick flipping over a giant sized skateboard and featuring in a music video, in all in all, an adrenaline junkie’s dream! viewers are assured by Chevrolet these are 100% real stunts in the video

Volkswagen also do not fail to disappoint, all Star wars fan animal fans will especially love this ‘Bark Side’ star dogs theme tune, made with barking dogs, who are brilliantly dressed up as star wars characters! This video has already seen over 10 million views on YouTube alone.

Audi’s Vampire ‘they’re toast’ advert appeals to the Twilight/vampire diaries fans showing how powerful Audi’s LED lights really are, very funny and appealing with two million views on YouTube.

Jobs: Part-time Customer Service Agent, Manchester Piccadilly

Charlotte Scheggia — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:05:08 +0000

Sixt UK are currently recruiting for a Part Time Customer Service Agent (20 hours per week).

Based at our New Manchester Picadilly Branch (Ducie Street).

Hourly Rate of £6.49 + Monthly Bonus (This equates to an annual Salary of £6,749.60 based on a 20 hour week)

The Customer Service Agent’s Role will include:

* Taking telephone and over the counter bookings and enquiries for vehicle hire

* Qualifying customers

* Converting enquiries into reservations

* Liaising with other staff on the delivery and collection of vehicles

* Ensuring vehicles are delivered and collected in a timely manner

* Reconciling and accounting for monies received and paid

Your Qualities:

* The successful candidate will be computer literate with good keyboard skills

* Well presented

* A good communicator both over the phone and face-to-face

* Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure

* Hold a full, clean driving licence

* A customer service and or car rental background would be an advantage

* A flexible approach to working hours as we are open 7 days per week.

Branch Opening Hours are: Monday – Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm.

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to recruituk@sixt.com

Our Vacancies: www.sixt.jobs

Sixt Jobs: Customer Service Agents Manchester Airport

Charlotte Scheggia — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:39:52 +0000

Sixt UK are currently recruiting for Customer Service Agents in our Manchester Airport Location.

The Customer Service Agent’s Role will include:

* Taking telephone and over the counter bookings and enquiries for vehicle hire

* Qualifying customers

* Converting enquiries into reservations

* Liaising with other staff on the delivery and collection of vehicles

* Ensuring vehicles are delivered and collected in a timely manner

* Reconciling and accounting for monies received and paid

Your Qualities:

* The successful candidate will be computer literate with good keyboard skills

* A good communicator both over the phone and face-to-face

* Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure

* A customer service and or car rental background would be an advantage

* A flexible approach to working hours as we are open 7 days per week.

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to recruituk@sixt.com

Our Vacancies: www.sixt.jobs

Salary £13,500 + Monthly Bonus

Branch Opening Hours are 6.30am to 10pm (7 days a week).

The role involves working a 40 hour shift – various patterns in operation. This role will involve some weekend work (depending on shift pattern).

Field Sales Executives in the UK: London, Edinburgh and Manchester

Charlotte Scheggia — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:32:26 +0000

Sixt UK are currently recruiting for Field Sales Executive within UK – London, Edinburgh and Manchester

The Field Sales Executive role will include:

* Winning, establishing and implementing new customers

* Generate new sales leads and improve the customer’s perception of the company and standing in the market place

* Develop and monitor personal relationships with key accounts

* Relationship building and maximising revenue and profit potential with existing customers

* To maintain and develop new business through networking and attending customer events

* Increasing the market share of Sixt rent a car in your specific local sales area

* Be commercially aware of competitor activity within the region

* To ensure excellent levels of customer service whilst maximising profitability

Required Skills & Experience:

* Must be enthusiastic, highly motivated and ambitious

* Great communicator, confident and successful negotiator

* Minimum of 2 years experience in successful Field Sales role

* Documented, proven & successful track record

£20,000 plus fantastic commission potential

Please send your CV and cover Letter: Jo Levett, HR Manager – Sixt UK,

Email: jo.levett@sixt.com

Web: http://www.sixt.co.uk

Our Vacancies: www.sixt.jobs

Sixt Jobs: Field Sales Manager Based in London

Charlotte Scheggia — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:27:42 +0000

Sixt are pleased to announce an opening for job role ‘Field sales manager’ based in london, please check the roll and skills, and send your details in to the email below:

The Sales Manager role will include:

* To achieve all corporate revenue targets for the business.

* Target generation of new business from the chosen market segments.

* Generation of the annual sales plan and to ensure all income streams are achieved through its successful implementation.

* Recruitment and management (including T&D of the team) of the sales team.

* Development and maintenance of a sales lead sources

* Development and maintenance & management of all databases

* To examine and maximise potential from existing sources of business

* To create new sources of corporate business

* To ensure that the image of the company is upheld at all times

* To conduct meetings with the on-site team

* To be aware of competition and market trends and to produce a monthly competitor analysis report

* To ensure that all employees have the necessary collateral and sales aids to fulfil their functions

* To ensure that all contacts of the sales team are recorded on the database and to ensure that this remains Six property

* To ensure that all potential sales leads are communicated immediately within the team and branches

* To ensure that all members of the sales department plan sales calls weekly and that call reports are produced

* Produce departmental forecasts/budgets as required and communicate figures to the team to aid their understanding of the business and the importance of their contribution to the business success.

* To control expenses to agreed levels

* To account for any variances against revenue budgets by preparing a monthly sales report which is to be included as part of the monthly review – and therefore to be submitted and ready for distribution by the assigned date.

Required Skills & Experience:

* A senior sales professional with a minimum of 5 years experience in the car rental, hospitality, insurance, real estate, time share or retail industry.

* Global/national experience at senior level.

* Experienced and successful at managing a team of sales executives.

* A steady career path to date showing good progression driven by proven success.

* Clean full driving licence

* Excellent management skills

* Excellent relationship building and rapport building skills.

Please send your CV and cover Letter: Jo Levett, HR Manager – Sixt UK,

Email: jo.levett@sixt.com

Web: http://www.sixt.co.uk

Our Vacancies: www.sixt.jobs

Sixt announces new Manchester branch

Charlotte Scheggia — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:09:44 +0000

Sixt, is pleased to announce the opening of a new branch at Manchester Piccadilly station, to improve its offering at one of the busiest transport terminals in the country.

The new location, situated only a few minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly rail station, offers a full range of vehicles to suit both personal and business needs. The branch will be Sixt’s 126th location in the UK, supplementing the nearby outlet at Manchester Airport. The branch’s fleet will feature a range of vehicles for hire from £15.14 per day, including economy and family cars, convertibles and premium brands such as Mercedes and BMW, to people carriers and vans.

Paul McLoughlin, Managing Director of Sixt UK, said: “The opening of our second branch in Manchester at one of the busiest transport hubs in the UK represents our ongoing commitment to strategic growth across the country. We are very pleased to be able to offer a more extensive service in the Manchester region and provide even more convenience and flexibility to our customers.”
For amazing cheap rates for car and van rental in Manchester book with Sixt!

Car Hire Manchester

Worried and stressed about moving? Use Sixt’s moving tips and check-list for a smooth and easy move!

Charlotte Scheggia — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:13:58 +0000

We here at Sixt understand Moving is not the easiest of tasks, we know the thought of trying to box up your whole life into a van can be become quite a stressful and daunting experience. So Sixt have decided to take the challenge of helping our customers move and changing the experience into a smooth and enjoyable transition rather than one that makes us want to pull our hair out!

We will be introducing exclusive new rental packages which will be revealed in the next few weeks. These are tailor made for moving house when you hire one of our Vans We have also created a comprehensive series of checklists, safety and driving tips to ensure you enjoy a smooth move safely! We will be posting another stage of the checklist each week, so keep your eyes peel for our weekly Friday moving tips! If you have any questions regarding moving, be sure to leave a comment and we will endeavour to assist you

As early as possible before your move:

* Arrange your van rental by booking one of our Sixt hire vans on the date you intend to move

* If you rent your current property, allow enough time to give notice to your current landlord. You will find further information in your lease.

* Over the years you generally collect broken or unwanted items in the cellar, the attic or the garage. Don’t forget to dispose of these items before you leave and recycle where you can.

* Prepare a list of items that you will be taking with you.

* If needed, apply for a parking permit for your van or truck.

3 weeks before the move: You should contact the following and advise them of your moving date and new address:

* Your Employer & Inland Revenue: when you notify your local tax office you will need to quote your reference number, this is printed on your pay slip/P60/code notification.

* DVLA: you need to change both your address on the card driving licence and registration ticket

* Council Tax Office: Make sure you notify authorities both in your current area and the one you’re moving to if you are changing districts/counties. www.voa.gov.uk

* Bank/ Building Society & Credit Card companies: If you are moving a considerable distance away it would be a good idea to transfer your accounts to a branch closer to your home. Most credit card companies send a change of address form with their monthly statements, be sure to fill these out at next statement to change your address

* Insurance: Make sure your contents insurance is changed to your new property on the date that you move, you may need to get a new quote for your new home, see make sure you received a quote in good time before you move! Your quote may also change for car insurance if you do/don’t have a garage in your new property etc.

* Telephone/ Mobile Phone: Make sure you contact both providers of your plan to move, also your internet account if you have one with them to notify your change of address and the date you will be needing to switch your phones/internet connection, sometimes your phone provider may need to come and install a phone line in your new home, so make sure you notify them in good time.

* Junk Mail: To stop junk mail you may have been receiving to your old property, you can register yourself with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) this can help you remove your name from up to 95% of the direct mailing lists in the UK

* TV Licence: Your TV licence does not move with you, you need to make sure you notify TV licensing to prevent yourself from facing a fine of up to £1,000 go to www.tvlicencing.co.uk to change your details

* Satellite TV: If you pay for satellite TV, please don’t forget to notify your provider in good time, so you can arrange a date for them to come and set up your satellite dish in your new property.

* Doctor, Dentist & Opticians: If you will be moving out of the local area you will need to inform your Doctor, Dentist and Opticians so you can de-register with them and register in your new local area. If you go for regular appointments at your local hospital, make sure you also notify the hospital so they can transfer your treatment.

* Vet: If you have any pets make sure if they are receiving any treatment, it can be transferred to a local Vet. Also if you are intending to put your pets in a kennel during the move arrange that now.

* School: If your children are changing schools inform your old school when they are leaving and make sure you notify the new school when they intend to start

* Post: Make sure you redirect any post to be sent to your new post for the first three months you move house, to give you time to notify any companies of your move if you have forgot to do so prior, the Royal Mail offer a redirecting service which you can setup online. This takes at least 5 days for the service to be implemented.

* Moving shopping trip: ensure you have bought all the essentials for moving: Boxes, Tape, Carrier Bags, Black sacks, bubble wrap, newspapers, and suitcases

* Library, Gym and any other subscriptions: make sure you notify these of your change of address

* Parking: Do you need a permit to park at your new property? If so make sure you apply now to ensure you wont be fined. If you have a current permit you are cancelling, check to see if you are able to get money back for returning your permit early Plus if there are any other restrictions to parking outside your new property, inform the local authority of your moving plan and of any extra vehicles that will be at the property. Your removal van can be pretty big, it may also be an idea to inform your new neighbours of your moving date so they are not surprised at the removal vans on your street.

* Vote: if your are moving to a new area, you will need to register to vote again with your new council, to ensure you can vote in future elections at your new address.

Stay tuned for more house moving tips next week!

Up to 25% off and a chance to win theme park tickets!

Charlotte Scheggia — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:43:17 +0000

To celebrate our newest branch in Orlando, we here at Sixt are offering up to 25% off rentals from our Florida locations as well as each booking being entered into our prize draw to win Theme park tickets!

Booking period Jan 16 – March 31
Rental period Jan 16 – March 31
POS anywhere worldwide
up to 25% off valid in all Florida locations
Pre-paid rentals only
Between Jan 16 and Feb. 9, purchasers will automatically be entered to win 2 theme park tickets

Book Now!