South Australian vehicle rental business Simba Car Hire is embarking on an ambitious growth strategy to be in every Australian capital city within two years.
In a major step towards a national presence, Simba opened its first Brisbane branch in July and is set to establish its inaugural Melbourne operation near Tullamarine Airport in October. A second Queensland branch in Cairns began trading in June.
The company was founded in 2019 with just three cars in Adelaide, but the operation has grown to 1200 cars and 75 employees in Adelaide (Mile End South and Melrose Park), Cairns (City and Airport), Sydney and Brisbane.
Simba’s national expansion goals also involve increasing vehicles under management to 4000, employing more than 100 staff, and tripling annual turnover to $29 million by 2029.
The growth strategy comes shortly after Simba opened its new South Australian showroom at Mile End South in August, providing hire cars for the Adelaide Airport. The new showroom replaces the company’s existing Richmond Road branch.
Simba Car Hire Chief Executive Warwick Bentley says the company’s mission is to be the largest non-airport-based vehicle hire car provider in Australia.
“We believe we have developed a business model that will be successful in key markets in Australia based on transparent and consistent pricing and excellent customer service,” he said.
“Our growing clientele trusts we will not overcharge them and it’s this trust that has become a point of difference between us and our competitors.
“We’re excited to be able to provide more customers with our friendly, personalised and stress-free service ensuring a seamless travel experience whatever the occasion.”
Mr Bentley joined Simba in September 2023 from Adelaide’s largest Kia Dealership where he was Dealer Principal and had supported Simba’s formative years by supplying rental vehicles.
He will support Simba’s national expansion including growing its corporate hire division, which so far accounts for a small percentage of its business.
“I was very excited about where Simba was going and what it had achieved; this was a company that started on the brink of COVID and has since flourished into a true South Australian success story,” Mr Bentley said.
In July, Simba was announced as the Official Hire Car Company of the VAILO Adelaide 500 for 2024 and 2025. The company is also a sponsor of the African Nations Cup football tournament – as well as several competing teams – and the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.
