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" Rent-a-car is a sector that has not been updated in decades. We want to revolutionize it by avoiding queues, small print, hidden charges and surprises when picking up a car." With this declaration of intentions of its general director, Mauricio Sabater, Virtuo was presented this Thursday in Madrid, a car rental company in which the client carries out the entire process through his mobile.

The company, of French origin, operates in Barcelona since the summer, "a tourist market and smaller than in Madrid ". Currently it has 200 vehicles available for single-brand rental: Mercedes-Benz . Specifically, Class A and GLA ; "a vehicle of the segment C and a SUV, the two most demanded types. In fact, in France we are the company that has bought more vehicles of the German team". It therefore has a 'premium' single-brand approach in Spain although in France the Fiat 500X is also offered "for the female demand".

The average price is between 55 and 60 euros and can be rented by half days

According to Mauricio Sabater, the rental price per day would be between 55 and 60 euros. If the operation is for a prolonged period for, for example, more than a week, the amount would drop to 32 euros per day.

It has a charging period that allows you to rent the vehicles for half-days "not like traditional rent-a-cars that charge you all day regardless of when you return it." The base rate includes 200 kilometers that can be extended by paying an extra . It has a franchise insurance that can be converted into all risk for 26 euros, "although most do not hire this improvement."

How can we rent a Virtuo car?

First, we download the application. During the registration process we enter our personal data, scan our ID and our driver's license; And finally we take a selfie. Virtuo says that in less than four hours our account will be validated, something that we have been able to verify affirmatively on its first day of operations in Madrid. With the 'ok' of the company we select the rental period and the place where we will pick up and leave the Mercedes-Benz.

Virtuo has bases in Madrid at the two train stations (Atocha and Chamartín); Columbus and Plaza of Spain

Then, we will go to one of the bases. In Madrid they are located at the train stations of Puerta de Atocha and Chamartin; and in two car parks: one near Plaza de España (Plaza de los Mostenses) and another in Plaza de Colón . Between the end of this year and the beginning of next, they hope to install new collection points in Barajas, Nuevos Ministerios, Avenida de América and Alonso Martínez.

Virtuo's squares are specified with their own signage. The most clueless can reach them through a GPS app. The mobile will be our key. As with shared vehicles ( carsharing ), a model that this rent-a-car resembles in procedure. Through Bluetooth we will open the car. In the face of risks and losses, the key can be duplicated and transferred to a card that we will find in the car. The vehicle damage report is also made through the application, which allows you to attach photographs . During each rental, up to four drivers can use the car at no additional cost.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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