On the 1st of October of 2005 Auro Rent and Madeira Rent made a franchise agreement with SIXT replacing the Drive brand with Sixt. "A franchise agreement with Sixt was an opportunity that could not be missed" is the view from Portugal, with a future possibility to establish and develop the operations of SIXT Rent a Car in Portuguese speaking African countries.
Fastest growing start-up in Portugal
DRIVE Car Rental was a start up project, created in the Summer of 2003 when Madeira Rent bought Auro Rent in mainland Portugal. At the time, Fernando Almeida had just joined the group that is led by Jimmy Welsh, to become a partner and managing director.
Since the Summer of 2003, DRIVE has been the fastest growing rent-a-car company in Portugal growing from 300 to 3800 cars in just 26 months, positioning the company as the market leader in Madeira and one of the top companies in mainland Portugal. Apart from Fernando Almeida developping the business in Lisbon winning significant market share from major rental companies, the Madeira operation has been managed by Madeira Rent’s founder Filipe Sousa. Filipe aged only 31, never imagined that when he and his brother Marco started a small rental company with just 25 cars, that 7 years later he would be part of a successful partnership with Jimmy Welsh who co-owns hotels, has been a travel agent and a franchished car dealer for nearly 40 years; and with Fernando Almeida (Filipe’s ex-boss) who has a wealth of experience in the rental business spanning four continents and 18 years, and who took up the challenge of becoming a fellow entrepreneur in 2003.
Our Mission
The young and enthusiastic team at SIXT Rent a Car Portugal are fully commited to deliver a high quality service at all the major Portuguese international airports and main cities.
With a fleet of 3,800 cars, SIXT Rent a Car Customers can choose from a wide range of car categories including different models from economy to luxury, plus MPVs, minivans, and convertibles.
With Sixt as franchise parners, the plan is to carry on growing and consolidating, maintaining a light and agile cost structure. The company intends to have atleast 4300 cars for rental under the Sixt brand in Portugal in the Summer of 2006.
Portugal welcomes the world of SIXT!
