With the lucrative nature of the vehicle hire market we are always saddened to hear of firms closing down or in times of trouble, with Isle of Wight operation ‘Twizy’ the latest to report issues.
Re-launching into the market a mere 12 months ago the firm has now stopped taking customer bookings, with the eclectic car hire scheme promising to reinvent the market to encourage more of a moral attitude towards omissions.
Understandably disheartened by the eventuality they find themselves in the British firm have been given all the tools they needed to make a real dent in the market, backed by local councils and tourism bosses to the tune of £36,000.
Booking pages removed
While having made no comment on the removal of their booking pages this move has set a tone, seeing the industry and its customers jump to conclusions that the company has in fact ceased trading. One customer, Madeline Paterson from Cowes was left “very disappointed” after her Twizy booking was cancelled, receiving a full refund for the inconvenience.
“I always thought the Isle of Wight was the perfect place for an electric car business. I’d seen them and really wanted to give it a go.” she said.
An Isle of Wight Council spokeswoman said: “The council is aware of recent media reports regarding Hire a Twizy Isle of Wight, and is seeking to establish the status of Twizy operation and will consider all available options in due course.”
David Thornton of the Visit Isle of Wight consortium, a company that helped spread the word of the scheme, said he was “disappointed and frustrated” at the time the company has gone bust with the summer season being the perfect time to promote such a service.
“We thought they were great – it’s an appropriate transport for the country lanes of the Isle of Wight. They are idiosyncratic and quirky and were proving very popular”.
Launched off the back of a similar scheme that failed does Twizy’s story suggest there is no room in the hire market for a business like this? Leave your comments and opinions with us.
