To cater for a growing number of physically challenged drivers, Avis South Africa has permanently fitted paraplegic hand control systems into a number of vehicles around the country.

Avis MD Wayne Duvenage says Avis has led the South African car rental market with hand control availability at the major centres. “Increased demand has necessitated that we permanently fit some of our vehicles with hand controls,” he says.

Duvenage says four vehicles in the Johannesburg and Pretoria area, three in Cape Town, two in Durban and one in Port Elizabeth have been fitted with the new systems. “While the vehicles are based in the major centres, they may move around the country according to demand,” he says.

The permanent hand control units are predominantly fitted into Mercedes Benz cars or 1600cc Volkswagen Polo’s Nissan Tiida’s. In addition, Avis South Africa has six temporary hand control units available that can be fitted to vehicles on request. Duvenage says Avis recently replaced its temporary hand control units with new improved units. 

Duvenage says if vehicles run at a higher utilisation than expected and the demand for them increases further, Avis will fit additional vehicles with the units. “Customers should note that we need 72 hour advance reservation for both permanent and temporary control vehicles,” he says.

Avis South Africa is SA’s leading car rental company, with over 120 locations throughout Southern Africa  , including all major airports, cities and points of interest.

For further infromation or reservations: www.avis.co.za