Welcome to another episode of our podcast, hosted by Emmanuel Scuto, the CEO and founder of WeYield, the leading revenue management company specializing in the car rental industry.
In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of Arturs, a seasoned professional with 25 years in the car rental industry, whose career began at Avis in Latvia. His profound understanding of transport economics led to a visionary thesis predicting the transition from car ownership to rental models. With experiences ranging from founding a luxury car club in Russia to impactful roles in the US and Italy, Arturs has significantly shaped the sector's approach to electronic distribution and online markets.

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Key Insights from this Episode:

• Visionary Beginnings: Arturs’ early work at Avis and his groundbreaking thesis on rental models set the stage for his future innovations in the industry.
• Critique of Legacy Brands: Arturs criticizes well-established brands for their slow adaptation to online potentials, relying heavily on their long-standing reputations.
• Contrasting Strategies: He highlights the distinct approaches between companies like Sixt and Enterprise, who prioritize customer-centric strategies, and others that fail to fully leverage online markets.
• Global Pricing Variations: The episode discusses how pricing strategies differ significantly between the US and Europe, influencing everything from sales tactics to customer interactions.
• Broker Impact and Challenges: Brokers have revolutionized the industry through adept online marketing, yet some struggle with market saturation and the escalating demands of technology.
• Innovative Sales Approaches: Recent expansions in affiliation programs have been driven by seasoned managers from established brands, who bring new sales strategies to the table.
• Digital Transformation: The industry's evolution is characterized by a clash between traditional approaches and innovative disruptors, leading to more cost-effective, tech-driven rental models.

📌 Here's a glimpse into the enriching discussion:

• 0:00:00 to 0:08:05 Introduction of Arturs
• 0:06:20 to 0:14:35 Entrepreneurship in Russia called Garage #1
• 0:14:35 to 0:23:35 First mistake of the big brands
• 0:23:35 to 0:28:20 Sixt is on a different path
• 0:28:20 to 0:30:35 Difference between a franchise in Europe and the same brand in US
• 0:38:45 to 0:52:08 Are all the brokers efficient and profitable?
• 0:52:08 to 1:03:45 Residual value scisor effect
• 1:03:45 to 1:14:50 Affiliation brands expanding
• 1:14:50 to 1:31:05 Control the techno, use it as a servant for the customer satisfaction
• 1:31:05 to end : Wrap-up and final insights.