Andrew Simms is a privately-owned dealer group with a significant Auckland-wide footprint, a raft of vehicle brands under its purview, and the largest volume outlet for each of the brands it represents. It also has a very customer-focused fleet sales team.

Depending on which dealership you visit, you might encounter Travis McDonogh, James Sercombe, Kelsie Vitale or Marcus Walker – any one of whom can guide you through the best lease deals currently available to sole traders, small and medium enterprise and large fleet operators.

Andrew Simms represent Mitsubishi, Kia, Jeep, Fiat, GVM and Haval, RAM and exclusive electric vehicle brand, BYD – a brand which is gaining more and more traction with fleets every day.

It was Group Dealer Principal Matthew Wales who spoke to us in regards an ongoing fleet arrangement – sort of – with GO Rentals, which has just received its third shipment of BYD Atto3’s which will make their way into GO Rentals depots around the country.

“BYD is a stellar brand,” says Matthew, “as proven by its remarkable sales success in this country. BYD arrived in New Zealand at just the right time with just the right product as customers were looking specifically for vehicles with a small carbon footprint.

“GO Rentals actually falls into this category,” adds Matthew, who explains that while the numbers add up to a fleet arrangement, the short-term nature of vehicle ownership in the rental car industry, where vehicles are under a ‘buy back’ agreement after 12 months or so, means its more of a fast turnover situation.

“This does help to get late model used cars into the reach of other customers,” explains Matthew, “who might otherwise be buying older cars without the safety advantages found in later model vehicles, for a comparable price. And the vehicles coming back to us are reconditioned to the point that they feel like a demonstrator, which effectively is what they are.”    

Andrew Simms has a long-standing history with GO Rentals and was delighted to be able to put BYD’s Atto3 into the GO Rentals fleet.

“We were especially pleased,” adds Matthew, “because GO Rentals does its homework and does take on board the core elements of EV ownership as a carbon-friendly vehicle decision. The GO Rentals commitment to sustainable rental vehicles fits well with BYD’s – and therefore our own – philosophy in this regard.”

But this being said, isn’t it a little unusual for a customer like GO Rentals to go through a dealer, albeit one like Andrew Simms which has a standout reputation and all the answers a fleet customer might need, rather than go direct to the distributor?   

“In the past, a rental company would go to the distributors directly, however, times have changed,” says GO Rentals CEO and founder John Osborne. “With EVs being the price they are currently; distributors have very little room to move when it comes to offering a significant saving. Added to which, there are benefits for all parties when volume customers enter partnerships with a dealer.”

As John points out, everybody wins. The distributors can report their market share is up, the dealership can show good sales and gets its margins and a known quantity of pre-loved stock and the customer – GO Rentals in this case – enjoys a better price to pass on and ensure end user customers are getting the latest vehicles with the best technology and safety features.

“We have worked with the team at Andrew Simms for about three years now,” says John, “and I can’t recommend them highly enough. The team are professional, and the service standard is awesome! As far as the product line goes, with Andrew Simms range of brands, there are always vehicles available which suit our needs, a case in point being the BYDs.”

GO Rentals already has a significant range of EVs on its books, but says John, it’s great to have options. “Our Tesla fleet is quite popular, but they don’t appeal to every customer. The BYD fleet provides an attractive alternative and our customers appreciate them.”

Indeed, the BYD Atto3 has been very well received by GO Rentals customers, comments like: “I’m amazed at how easy they are to drive,” and “it’s great that they have a key, not a card,” along with “they’re so comfortable and well suited to the roads,” and “the GO Rentals reservations app with the Tesla app built in, just makes everything so easy.”  

Currently, GO Rentals has 80 EVs available across its national network from Auckland to Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin and travellers can opt in to offset carbon emissions using CarbonClick during their exploration of the country.

“This is only part of GO Rentals’ commitment to a net Carbonzero target,” says John. “As part of our pioneering approach to sustainability in the rental car sector, GO Rentals is Toitu net Carbonzero recertified. This means our greenhouse gas footprint is being measured and reductions are monitored to ensure we are doing what we should to maintain our certification status.

“Needless to say,” John adds, “the BYD’s have played an important part in this effort, and we’re delighted to be able to supply the vehicles to our customers to help them make responsible decisions when it comes to their travel options. For those toying with the idea of electric vehicle ownership, what better way to demonstrate the advantages of EVs than to use them recreationally or on a short-term rental?”

Matthew agrees and loves the sentiment. “We can show the customers who might be considering buying a replacement ICE vehicle, that the right EV can keep the household budget healthy, with petrol expenses no longer being a drain.

“The fact that GO Rentals offers the chance for customers to try the vehicles before they come into the dealership is just brilliant, readers should be making their next rental choice with GO Rentals and trying the BYD’s for themselves, then come talk to one of the Andrew Simms team.”