National Car Rental has introduced a new SMS text service so customers can be notified of rental extensions while it can get updates on vehicle mileages.

Drivers who provide a mobile number will receive text messages to remind them of overdue vehicles or imminent return dates.

Each message includes an option to extend the rental by simply responding by text.

The text information automatically updates Speedlink, National’s central reservation system, controlling costs and ensuring billing accuracy at the end of the rental.

In addition, for longer rental periods of 25 days or more, vehicle mileage is requested via text, so drivers can respond instantly.

This means more accurate mileage information for businesses, and importantly, raises awareness of high mileage vehicles to fleet managers.

“In our pilot of the service in August and September 2007, over 40% of requests for mileage data were responded to by drivers using SMS, proving how simple and easy our customers will find this service,” said Claire Curley, director of client services for National.

“The new SMS rental management system meets many of the challenges experienced with managing a high volume of vehicle rentals and brings our corporate clients a combination of very real benefits.”