How to Start a Rental Car Business from Zero

Author: Godswill Iboi No Comments

What are the dynamics behind a rental car business? Do you see it as a new generation profitable business for entrepreneurs?

Why should individuals start selling cars if it’s not lucrative?

So, I think it must be a good source for generating consistent income with the current rise in the number of car dealers in town.

First, let me start by saying starting up a business requires lots of skills, entrepreneurship and business disciplines to succeed.

Even though automobile business is lucrative, don’t jump in without knowing how vehicle business works.

The demand for vehicles are now increasing for either private or public transports to convey passengers.

Similarly, people are always in need of executive cars for weddings, birthdays, parties and special occasions for self fulfilling purposes.

Though this business is very attractive and lucrative, it might be capital intensive.

Therefore, you need a required amount of money as startup capital to succeed in it.

Table of Contents

1. Start With A Business Plan:

One major gap between the rich and the poor is planning.

Every successful business today has it roots in planning.

If you desire to start a business, irrespective of the kind of business you want to start, you need a good business plan.

Your business plan will cover the start up cost, operating cost and the day to day running of the business.

A good business plan will also show the potential weakness a business might likely experience, so you can find solutions to eliminate waste and reduce cost in your business.

Your rental car business will also cover the major models you intend to deal on, whether Tesla, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Benz, Chrysler, Cadillac., Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Lincoln.

ALSO READ: How to Build a Real Estate Business From Scratch.

2. Obtain a Car Dealership License:

A license makes you authentic as a car dealer and offers you vital advantages such as exceptions from being prosecuted by the law and governing agencies of automobile businesses.

Hence, get a license to avoid governmental lawsuits and disturbance.

Obtain the permit to run your business at will.

You need to either visit your local government or talk to other car dealers to know the right association to join if your rental car business must be successful.

3. Buy your Cars:

Its time to buy your cars. Hence, will you be focusing on used cars or new ones?

Will you buy from wholesale auction sellers or you will be importing your cars from abroad?

These are vital keys to note in your car acquisition process.

What model of cars do you want and how much are they?

What is the average price of cars you can sell now for a start till you grow up?

Similarly, if you need funding, here are 12 fantastic ways of getting money to start up your business.

The important thing is to get your cars ready.

It is very important you know your target audience so you can know the prices and model of cars you intend to sell.

It’s okay to start with some few affordable cars if you’re running tight on capital.

4. Secure a Good Location For Your Rental Car Business:

You need to get a garage or a lot to display your cars to the public if you really mean business.

Getting a location at the road side will be a good advantage

A location with more population and traffic is likely to give you more sales and prospective customers who already know you have a rental car business there.

Have in mind you’re not the only one doing the business and you might face competitions from other car dealers.

Therefore, try as much as possible to secure a good spot.

The location of your business will help you increase sales by creating awareness.

5. Get Your Car Business Online:

Getting your cars online will give you larger audience and allow your customers a 24/7 global access to your business.

It improves business flexibility and clients self service thereby saving you cost and allowing you to run your business from anywhere in the world.

Also, coming online shows you’re a professional in your job.

This also makes it very convenient for clients to access all your cars from their bedroom without lifting a foot.

No matter the type of business you run, if you’re not online just know you’re losing money.

Your cars must be online because visibility is money.

“If your business is not on the internet, your business will soon be out of business”.
bill Gates – an American business magnate, software developer, investor, author, and philanthropist. He is a co-founder of Microsoft

6. You Might Need A Vehicle Business Loan:

Depending on the country you live in, there are many organsations that offers startup business loans.

This agencies offer loans to help potential businesses in return for capital and interest over a specific period of time.

As your business grows, you will need to expand and scale higher by selling both new and used cars or even switching to sell more models.

You might further diversify into other automobile businesses like bikes and cargo trucks.

The best time to get a quick loan cash would be now.

Applying for a small business loan to raise more capital in growing and expanding your business might be another way out for you.

7. Promote Your New Startup Business:

Do aggressive marketing.

Use social media marketing, invest in promoting your new car rental business.

If you are running on a low budget, here are 16 powerful strategies for brand awareness that can help you reach your target market.

You can also promote your new rental car business and get more customers to your business through Direct Marketing, Sponsor TV and Radio Programs.

Furthermore, erect your billboards in strategic locations around the city. Make use of sales agents and sales reps.

Do online marketing, referral Marketing, use branded materials like t-shirts and face caps. Engage in road show within the area where your used car dealership is located.

List your used car dealership business in local directory, sponsor relevant community programs with your business name.

Also, if you already have a website, a good SEO in place will help you do wonders in your business by driving organic visitors who might be in need of cars to you.

8. Take Insurance Cover for your Rental Car Business:

Insure your vehicles in cases of natural disasters like accidents, fire or theft to ensure you don’t close down.

Also, don’t let the cost of business insurance scare you away from securing your business future.

Therefore, ensure you get a car business insurance.

All car dealers requires insurance not minding the type of cars they deal with.

Either you sell new cars or used cars, you will need insurance coverage like general liability, lot coverage and insurance plans that covers both property damages and inventory loss.

Insure covers you against loss of capital and risk of bankruptcy resulting from bad deals.

Most small business owners don’t like to pay for insurance because they feel the money could be diverted to other important aspect.

They think the money to pay for insurance cost can be diverted to pay for rents, taxes, vehicle maintenance and repairs.

However, its more costlier not to insure your business compared to the cost of business insurance.

9. Find a Partner or Hire a Staff or More:

At some point, you might not be able to run the business alone, this calls for partnership.

Well, if you’re familiar with network marketing business, then finding the right partner will be a cup of cake for you.

However, you can get a partner to work with you as you launch your new “rent a car business”.

You and your partner will also need to sign a business partnership agreement.

Hiring staffs might not be important at the initial stage, however if you must do this, consider developing good team leadership skills here to organize and work with your employees.