• 2013-06-12: Rating 5 / 5
  The first car hire I have ever attempted was ironically at First Car Hire in Cape Town. An unfortunate happening in the Eastern Cape demanded an emergency trip to from Cape Town to East London. We were a party of five girls and thus had to find a comfortable yet fuel efficient ride to cover over 2000km's and we had 48 hours to do it. Given the fact that it was the first time we'd ever hired a car, the process was more stress-free than anticipated. We called in and logged a request for the ever so popular Polo Vivo on one of the busiest weekends known to Cape Town. It was Jazz weekend where thousands of jazz lovers would descend into Cape Town and of course need to hire to get around. Our requested specimen: fuel efficient, reliable and pretty. What we got was not at all what we bargained for. We walked into the doors of First Car Rental airport branch and were greeted by decadent red velvet cupcakes before signing our contracts. As we were indulging, a member of the First Car Rental team explained the terms and conditions and complexities of the contract should anything go wrong. Driving a hired car from one province to another is a nerve wrecking task as we'd all heard the horror stories of car hire parlours and dealers taking advantage of the fairer sex's limited knowledge on cars. Our transaction was short, informative and not at all suspect. Instead, we were told that our requested car was not available and were thus upgraded into the next bracket to make up for the inconvenience. This meant we weren't getting a cute polo vivo but the ever so sophisticated Renault Sandero Stepway in the colour red for the same fee. All these little surprises transformed the daunting administration of car hire into a pleasant experience. What has lured us back to hire again and again were the little perks like the friendly and efficient service, unlimited kilometres. The drop off process was also straight forward, the car was insured for two drivers should anything happen. We were stress and worry free and this added to an enjoyable driving experience. If I had to give First Cars a rating it would definitely be a five out of five, because we got a lot more value out of the deal than we had anticipated. No hidden costs and no frills and free cake with icing on top.

Written by: Khanyisile Mpambani

• 2011-12-18: Rating 4 / 5
  Wayne, at First Car Rental Johannesburg, ensures we have a jolly time in our Chev Aveo

• 2011-04-30: Rating 5 / 5
  We rented a car from First Car Rental in Nelspruit for the first time, and they even phoned us up to remind us we had forgotten a driver's license.

• 2009-08-01: Rating 5 / 5
  First Car Rental Johannesburg review - first class service.

• 2009-07-24: Rating 4 / 5
  Once again the Johannesburg First Car Rental offered the best prices and we got great service (thanks Kaizer!), from their new offices on the 2nd floor.

• 2009-05-04: Rating 5/ 5
  Review of a First Car Rental from Johannesburg Airport.

• 2009-04-24: Rating 5 / 5
  First Car Rental's service at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo was top drawer - they not only saw us to our car, but also packed our bags into the car (thanks William!) We had fun driving the Mazda 3 from Joburg to Nelspruit.

• 2013-09-30
  If you book a Group W car with First Car Rental before the 30th September you stand a chance to win an MG6.

• 2013-03-01
  True to its payoff line: First In Car Hire, First In Service, First Car Rental has won 1st place at the South African Service Awards in the Travel and Related Services category beating all of its car hire competitors in South Africa. The SA Service Awards are the premier customer-driven service awards in South Africa. The gold award was officially announced at the South African Service Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg on the 1st March 2013. First Car Rental achieved an overall service rating average of 90% from its customers whilst the car rental industry average overall scored 82%.In the Travel and related services – Car Hire - category, the final audited results were:

•     1st Place – First Car Rental

•    2nd Place – Avis Rent a Car

•   Excellent Customer Service: Tempest Car Hire

•  Excellent Customer Service: Europcar

“We are very proud at winning this award as we were up against all our competitors this year. It is one of the awards we aspire to the most because all companies are rated by their actual customers, therefore providing a completely unbiased view as to the level of service that the company is providing, and it doesn’t depend on size or volume.” said First Car Rental's Executive Head: Strategy, Development & Marketingl, Melissa Storey.

• 2013-03
  First Car Rental is selected as one of the top 500 best managed companies in South Africa. "Qualifying as a Top 500 Best Managed Company again represents a gilt-edged achievement for First Car Rental. It is wonderful for all our staff to get the recognition from Top 500. First Car Rental is performing at optimum levels so expect us to keep climbing the ranks.” says First Car Rental's Executive Head: Strategy, Development & Marketing, Melissa Storey.

• 2013-02
  Newton's 2nd law fronts for Rodriguez in his tour of South Africa, and are transported in First Car Rental's Purple Power vehicle.

• 2013-02-20
  First Car Rental introduces four new models to its rental vehicle fleet. The new vehicles are the Ford Focus 1.6 L; the 2013 SUV Nissan Qashqai; the 2013 Isuzu KB72 double-cab bakkie; and the 2013 BMW 320i F30 twin turbo. These new vehicles are available at First Car Rental branches at OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town international airports.

• 2013-01-24
  First Car Rental donates a Nissan Tiida to Masigcine Children's Home in Mfuleni: “It is a privilege to work in conjunction with Koo and Palesa from M-Net Cares in supporting invaluable facilities like Masigcine Children’s Home. We believe that the need for thoughtful corporate social investment with a measurable social return has never been greater.  Based on our company values of care, service excellence, innovation and integrity, this is the work done at Masigcine every day. We thank them for this wonderful opportunity to meet such wonderful children and carers.” said Melissa Storey of First Car Rental

• 2012-10-22
  A Nissan Tiida is donated to the Children of Fire Trust in Joburg (Melville).
  
  "When fires occur in squatter camps, Children of Fire staff members are often in desperate need of an additional vehicle to get supplies to the people living there. Disaster mitigation is part of their mission and they distribute red disaster recovery bags with survival basics to last a few days. Having a car will help them reach these families a lot quicker. They also travel around the country on safety outreach programmes, so they will be able to get to a lot more places than before. Working with M-Net Cares to get this car to this Trust was a gratifying and humbling experience and one that I will never forget." said Melissa Storey from First Car Rental.
  
  "Children of Fire would like to sincerely thank First Car Rental for the Nissan Tiida. The nature of what we do; working with child burn survivors from across South Africa and beyond, means we spend a lot of time on the road travelling between hospitals and their homes. It can be quite a logistical nightmare...Everyone wanted a chance in the driver's seat. All the children imagining what it would be like to drive; they all want to be race car drivers." said Chilren of Fire's manager, Rosie Chirongoma.

• 2012-07
  First Car Rental opens a new office in Centurion Lifestyle Centre, 800m from the Centurion Gautrain .

• 2012-03-09
  Press relase: WE HOPE YOU SOAR ONCE MORE, VELVET SKY
  JOHANNESBURG, POMONA, FRIDAY, 9 MARCH 2012 - First Car Rental wishes to inform all present, past and future customers that Velvet Sky is our airline partner, and that our partnership agreement is the only association we have with Velvet Sky. The low cost airline’s current predicament does not affect First Car Rental or CMH operations and we are carrying on as per usual.
  We are honouring all First Car Rental bookings made via the Velvet Sky website. Customers are able to amend or cancel bookings by means of the links provided on their voucher confirmation or via our Call Centre. We will also refund prepaid rentals done via the Velvet Sky website due to flight delays and/or cancellations.
  
  First Car Rental will not penalise customers for cancellations. Payments will be refunded in full should customers wish to cancel pre-paid reservations since operational issues were announced by the airline on 20 February 2012.
  
  We sincerely wish Velvet Sky all the best in their endeavour to resolve their affairs and we continue to remain supportive."

• 2011-03-20
  First Car Rental has joined Good Fellas, a members-only chauffer service which provides an alternative to driving under the influence of alcohol. When you rent a car from First Car Rental & you are already a Good Fellas member, you may make use of the Good Fellas service during your rental period without fear of breaching your terms of contract with First Car Rental.

• 2010-12
  On the 1st of December 2010, First Car Rental opened its Southbroom branch (KwaZulu-Natal). First Car Rental Southbroom can be found at Shop 3, Driftwood Centre, Gilbert Road, Southbroom. The branch manager is Charlene Roets.

• 2010-11-26
  First Car Rental sponsors the Freedom Revolution Unicycle Tour in South Africa, which covers 2500km from Durban to Cape Town. The tour takes place for Bob’s For Good Foundation, run by former Springbok rugby player Bobby Skinstad, the charity provides shoes for disadvantaged children all over South Africa.

• 2010-10-11
  First Car Rental prohibits smoking in all its vehicles. Says Melissa Storey, Executive Head: Strategy, Development & Marketing for First Car Rental, “First Car Rental receives more customer requests for smoke-free vehicles than any other 'special request.”