McCarran’s Rent-A-Car expands with exotic, sports car models

For Americans, it’s the opportunity to drive a hot European import.

For foreigners, it’s the chance to try an American muscle car.

And for everybody, it’s the combination of ground transportation with an only-in-Las Vegas driving experience.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the No. 5 car rental car company at McCarran International Airport by revenue in 2014, is expanding by adding a unit of its Exotic Car Collection to McCarran’s Airport Rent-A-Car Center.

Enterprise last week began offering 31 different models of cars from the car rental facility just south of McCarran.

Enterprise had previously offered an exotics line on Paradise Road, which opened in June 2010, but Salim Abi-Karam, vice president of airports for Enterprise, said opening at the car rental location makes it easier to match customers with cars they like as they arrive in the city.

“The Paradise location was a big success for us to provide cars for people who just want to have a fun driving experience when they arrive for a good time in Las Vegas,” Abi-Karam said. “For some, it’s a little extra for some special occasion, like a wedding, a reunion or a bachelor party. For others, it’s impressing clients that they’re entertaining here.”

Abi-Karam said exotics rentals also are popular with local residents who want to go for a special joy ride or take a car for a spin before buying one.

The number of cars in the local collection fluctuates because some customers rent them for one-way trips and drop them off in California where Enterprise has nine exotic car locations. Enterprise has 18 exotics car locations in six states. There normally are about 100 vehicles in the Las Vegas fleet.

Chess Kromroy, manager of Enterprise’s Exotic Car Collection, said the most popular rental is the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The local office has hardtop and convertible models available.

“We’re always trying to learn from our customers what kinds of cars they’d like to rent for special occasions so we’re constantly adding to the inventory,” Kromroy said.

One of those additions by popular demand was the Tesla Model S.

Kromroy said a model favored by customers from overseas is the Ford Mustang GT convertible.

“They’re a little harder to come by in Europe and Asia so you’ll find that some of these American muscle cars are a popular ride with our foreign guests,” he said.

The special cars have wide-ranging rental rates and customers email to determine the availability and rates of certain cars. Depending on the model, rentals range from $60 to $1,000 a day.

Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.