Car Rental companies continue to experience shortages

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — “Obtaining new inventory has been a massive struggle,” said Jolene Wesner, the Vice President of Hertz Rent A Car in Johnstown.

Wesner says she's witnessed shortages within the car industry since the pandemic began.

“It just goes back to shortages," says Wesner. "Whether it be parts, labor, manpower.”

Wesner mentions car dealership production is hurting because of these shortages and that’s why car rental companies like Hertz don’t have the supply access they used to.

“The dealerships don't have production and any production they do have are going to their dealers. Say Chrysler or Ford or Nissan first before they come to the car rental agencies,” adds Wesner. “When we deal with a dealership or when we deal with a body shop, parts on are back order so that in affect has impacted us greatly.”

Hertz and other car rental companies then have to run some vehicles longer than expected which causes the mileage to increase to a number rental cars typically don’t reach.

Wesner tells Channel 6, “We’ve had to turn many people away for rentals just due to the shortage of rental cars as well”.

However, a Hertz customer was in luck today when purchasing a rental car.

“And as a first time, doing this was really easy,” says Ruth Vilchez.

Vilchez arrived in Johnstown from Fairfax, Virginia on Monday and needed to rent a car with Hertz.

Vilchez says she was renting the car, “Originally just a couple days, but then I realized I needed extra days with the car so I ended up renting for five days I think”.

However, Vilchez adds the extra days will give her more flexibility during her stay here.

Wesner added, “Customers have been pretty understanding, knowing and for the most part grateful that we have a vehicle for them”.

The Vice President of Hertz Rent A Car in Johnstown hopes by the spring this issue will be resolved.

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