The demand for rental cars and vehicles driven by chauffeurs has shot through the roof ahead of the World Summit on Sustainable Development later this year, the International Chauffeur Drive said on Sunday.
ICD managing director Martin Kruger said his company had seen a 30% increase in the demand of cars driven by skilled drivers in the past two months.
”The huge increase in demand is good news for the country’s economy as it is an indicator of a broader trend of renewed international interest in South Africa,” said Kruger.
His company has become the limousine service for heads of states attending the summit in Johannesburg between August 26 and September 4.
He said he would quadruple the number of his drivers, trained up in defensive driving skills and basic etiquette courses, so that they could act as South Africa’s ambassadors.
About 65 000 people will converge on the city to attend the summit.
Kruger said trends in Europe had shown that the demand for cars with skilled drivers was given preference by visitors who wanted to reach their destinations without disruptions.
As the demand for vehicles has increased, Kruger has come up with ways to source extra vehicles.
”We have ensured that all local car retailers have been approached to make their demo vehicles available, and they in turn have approached the major car manufacturers looking for surplus stock,” he said. – Sapa