Hertz Attempts to Remake Car-Rental Stores with iPads, Charging Stations

Hertz is remaking the car-rental experience with redesigns and upgrades of its global airport and off-airport locations, including iPad and battery-recharging stations, retail areas selling snacks, drinks, power cords and FedEx services, and sustainable construction and design features.

For a sneak peak at what’s in store for many of Hertz’s global locations, take a look at the slideshow above, which features before and after photos of the Hertz location at San Diego Airport.

In addition to the rollout of the redesigned facilities at San Diego Airport, they are now also in place at Hertz locations at the Marble Arch in London and at its Australia headquarters in Melbourne.

Hertz states that plans call for additional airport and off-airport facilities to see the upgrades throughout  2013.

Among the new features, Hertz has created retail facilities, dubbed Road Trip by Hertz, inside the locations, and they sell snacks, drinks, maps, sunscreen, charging cords, clothing and luggage.

Business travelers on the go can also use printers, and purchase FedEx services if they need to mail important packages and documents.

There is also an iPad station with the tablets loaded with apps, enabling travelers to research local attractions, and for kids and teens to pass the time playing games. The area also has recharging stations to juice up electronic equipment.

In theory, at least, kiosks at the sites are replacing the need to stand in line to pick up a car.

And, on the promotional front, the facilities feature what Hertz calls “dramatic vehicle displays” to showcase the rentals of special vehicles such as the Hertz Penske GT, for example.

The facility upgrades also are consistent with Hertz’s sustainability push, the company says.

Hertz says some of the facilities will be LEED certified through the use of “energy-efficient lighting, solar power systems and solar outdoor lighting at select sites, post-consumer recycled content materials and finishes, water-saving fixtures and zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints.”

Hertz has clearly thought about the present and future needs of its customers, and decided its all about location, location, location.