Car rental vending machine: why more and more tourists want it

What is really changing – automatic is no longer just a “luxury”

Electrification is pushing the market towards automatics

• From the driver’s perspective, electric cars always have “automatic” control (no clutch, no gearshift). As their share grows, so does the number of customers accustomed to automatics.
• Hybrids (HEV/PHEV) are in practice sold predominantly with automated transmissions (e-CVT, DCT, converter), which accelerates the “habit” of automatic shifting.
• Result: even a customer who drove a manual at home often does not want to go back to the clutch after a vacation or business trip in a hybrid – especially in city traffic.

Specific data from the EU (ACEA):

• In the period January–November 2025, BEV registrations in the EU accounted for ~16.9% and hybrids (HEV) ~34.6%; plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were around 9.3%.
• For comparison, in 2024 BEVs accounted for around 13.6% of new registrations in the EU.

What does this mean for short-term rentals?
Car rental companies naturally renew their fleets with what is available on the market and what is better rented. As manufacturers move towards automation, the mix of vehicles rented gradually changes.

Changing driver habits and the “tourist effect”

The demand for automatics in rental cars is typically higher than in the regular domestic fleet. The reasons are practical:

• Traveling in an unfamiliar environment (another country, unfamiliar intersections, navigation) – the driver does not want to deal with the clutch and gearshift at the same time.
• Families and multiple drivers – when two or three people take turns behind the wheel, an automatic simplifies logistics (especially if not everyone is confident with a manual).
• City + traffic jams – in cities, an automatic is objectively more comfortable.
• Safety and comfort – less stress, more attention to the road.

Europe is still a “mix” – and that is why an automatic in rental is sensitive to availability

Europe is not homogeneous. In some countries (e.g. UK, Nordic countries, Benelux) an automatic is significantly more common, in others (parts of southern and central Europe) manuals still dominate – and this directly translates into:

• lower availability of automatics in economy class,
• higher price premium,
• higher risk that an automatic will be “sold out” at peak times.

Quick benchmark (UK, SMMT data): in 2023, manuals accounted for only 28.7% of new registrations, while automatics accounted for 73.1%. The trend continues in 2025 (automatics are growing year-on-year, manuals are falling).

Slovakia in numbers: why automatic transmissions are increasingly important in rental

Although Slovakia (as a new car market) is developing at its own pace, trends from the EU are gradually being transferred here - and thus to car rental fleets.

Specific data (Slovakia, 2024):

• Total registrations of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles were approximately 106,134 units; of which passenger cars ~93,409 units.
• The share of BEVs was approximately 2.38% (around 2,227 new cars) and PHEV ~2.41%.
• Interesting context for families: the SUV segment had an approximately 52% share in the Slovak market - and SUVs are increasingly being combined with automatic transmissions and (mild) hybrids in offers.

Manual vs. automatic when renting: a comparison of solutions for tourists and families

When is an automatic worth it

An automatic transmission makes the most sense in a short-term rental when:

• you drive a lot in the city (Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Prague),
• you plan routes in the mountains with frequent stop-and-go,
• multiple drivers take turns (partner, parents),
• you travel with children - less stress, more comfort,
• you have little experience with manual or have driven only automatic for years.

A practical benefit for families: an automatic reduces driver fatigue - and fatigue is often a hidden risk factor on vacation.

When can a manual make sense

A manual can be a good choice when:

• you are confident in shifting gears and want to save on the rental price,
• you need a larger selection of models in a particular class (especially in season),
• you are going to a country where automatics are still a minority - and you don't want to deal with availability.

Overview of "typical" differences in rental

• Price: automatic cars tend to be more expensive (higher demand + more limited supply).
• Availability: automatic cars sell out sooner, especially during peak times (summer, holidays, long weekends).
• Equipment: automatic cars are more often better equipped (assistant, navigation, camera), but this is no longer the rule.
• Driving comfort: the advantage of an automatic car increases with traffic density.

Why are automatics often more expensive in short-term rentals (and what to do about it)

Supply vs. demand made simple

Many European fleets still have a lot of manuals, especially in lower classes. If customers "all at once" want an automatic in the summer, there is pressure on the price.

How much difference can it make? Travel guides repeatedly state that in destinations with a predominantly manual fleet, an automatic can be significantly more expensive when rented, and the savings over a manual can in some cases be tens of percent (depending on the country, season and car class).

Purchase price and residual value

For a car rental company, an automatic is often:

• more expensive to buy (in some models, an automatic is an extra charge or only available in more powerful equipment),
• more attractive when selling a driving license in certain segments (SUVs, hybrids),
• better to rent (higher utilization), which in some cases compensates for the higher purchase price.

Seasonality and “last pieces”

Short-term rental pricing is highly seasonal. If you want an automatic:

• book early (not “last minute”),
• consider an alternative class (e.g. Compact AT instead of Economy AT),
• consider picking up at the airport or in a capital city where the fleet mix is ​​wider.

How to book an automatic in practice without unpleasant surprises

1) Filter “AT” and follow the vehicle class

• When booking online, choose categories marked as AT / Automatic.
• Important: car rental companies often sell a category (e.g. Economy AT), not a specific model. Therefore, it is worth looking at the parameters - number of seats, trunk, air conditioning, safety features.

2) Check what “or similar” means

• In a standard rental, “or similar” should correspond to the same key parameters - including the type of transmission.
• For a family vacation, the transmission is a critical parameter - take it as seriously as the number of seats.

3) Book in advance (especially summer + holidays)

Practical guidance:

• Peak season (July-August): ideally book an automatic several weeks to months in advance.
• Long weekends, holidays, dates of major events: automatics sell out faster than manuals.

4) Beware of “cheap upgrades” and small branches

• In smaller locations (outside airports and big cities) there may be few ATMs.
• If you insist on an ATM, prefer BTS / big cities or branches with a larger fleet.

5) Checklist before leaving the branch

• Check that the contract states AT.
• Do a quick test: P–R–N–D, modes (S, B), or paddles under the steering wheel.
• For hybrids/EVs, have the recuperation mode and “one pedal” behavior explained, if available.

What PAYLESS offers – and why it makes sense for tourists

PAYLESS in Slovakia communicates affordable rental, while the offer also includes categories with automatic transmission. For tourists and families, it is crucial that automatics are not only in “luxury” classes today.

Examples of categories where automatics appear in practice

• Economy AT (typically small city cars for a couple or a small family) – an example in the offer can be e.g. Dacia Sandero (Economy AT) or Peugeot 208 AT.
• Compact AT (a more universal choice for vacation) – e.g. Renault Captur (Compact AT).
• Compact SUV AT / SUV AT (more space + often higher equipment) – e.g. Dacia Duster (Compact SUV AT).
• Multi-seater AT (for families/groups) – e.g. Renault Trafic 9-seater AT (example from the PAYLESS offer; multi-seater AT is worth booking in advance).

Tip: If you are traveling with children and a stroller, it is often worth choosing the Compact AT over the Economy AT – the difference in the luggage capacity is more significant than the difference in price. and a stroller, it is often worth choosing the Compact AT over the Economy AT – the difference in the luggage capacity is more significant than the difference in price.

2026 Trends That Will Drive Automatic Demand Higher

1) More Hybrids and BEVs on Offer = More Automatics in Fleets

As the Share of Electrified Cars in New Registrations Grows, So Will the Share of Automatics in Rental Car Renewal Fleets. At the Same Time, Automatics Will Gradually Move to Lower Classes.

2) “City Breaks” and Multi-Destination Vacations

Short Stays (3-5 Days) and a Combination of Multiple Destinations Increase the Importance of Convenience. With Short-Term Rentals, Customers Don’t Want to “Waste Time” Getting Used to a Manual – They Want to Sit Down and Drive.

3) Safety and Assistance Systems

Modern Assistants (Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping, Automatic Parking) Are More Often Combined with Automated Transmissions. For Families, This Is Seen as Greater Safety and Comfort.

4) Growing expectations – “slot machines are the norm”

Especially for guests from countries where slot machines dominate (USA, Canada, parts of Asia), manuals are more of an “exotic” experience. This pressure on expectations will continue to shape the offering in Europe as well.

Investment perspective (for car rental companies): what to watch for in the growth of vending machines

Although this article is written for tourists and families, the trend has a clear economic impact - and it is worth understanding.

KPIs worth watching for vending machines

• Utilization (occupancy) AT vs. MT: if vending machines leave the yard faster, it is a signal to adjust the mix.
• ADR/RPD difference (average price): whether the surcharge for vending machines actually covers higher costs.
• Loss rate: sometimes lower (fewer mistakes when starting), sometimes higher (if the customer switches from manual and incorrectly operates the gas in the vending machine) - needs to be measured.
• Remarketing and residual value: you sell vending machines in some segments faster and at a better price.

Practical strategy for fleet mix

• Keep vending machines also in the economy/compact class (not just SUVs), because that is where the "mass" tourist demand is.
• Hybrids in SUVs as a compromise: automatic + lower consumption + marketing benefit.

Clear AT marking in online offer (minimizes misunderstandings and complaints).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

1) Are automatics really more expensive to rent in Europe?

Mostly yes. In countries where manuals dominate, automatics tend to be more expensive, mainly due to limited supply and higher demand.

2) Is it enough if I book an "auto or similar" - is that guaranteed an automatic?

If you book a category marked as AT/Automatic, the transmission should also be maintained for a "similar" model. If you book without explicitly marking AT, you may get a manual.

3) When is the highest risk that an automatic will not be available?

Especially during the summer season, holidays and long weekends. The risk also increases in smaller branches with a lower number of cars.

4) Is an automatic also better for mountains?

Yes, especially for less experienced drivers. An automatic makes it easier to start uphill and maintains a smoother pace. When going downhill, it helps to use the "S/B" mode or manual shift (if available).

5) Can I drive an automatic if I have a classic manual license?

Yes. A manual license also includes an automatic. The opposite is not true (an auto-only license does not allow you to drive a manual).

6) What is the best "hack" for an available automatic?

Book in advance and be flexible on the class (e.g. Compact AT instead of Economy AT). Also, picking up at the airport or in a big city helps.

Summary / TL;DR

• The demand for automatic transmissions in short-term rentals is growing – especially among tourists and families.
• Electrification (hybrids/EVs) is accelerating the market shift to automatics in Europe as well.
• Automatics tend to be more expensive and can sell out faster – booking in advance is key.
• For families, an automatic is often the most practical choice: comfort, less stress, easier driver rotation.

When booking, always choose a category clearly marked AT/Automatic.

Keywords and entities (used in the article)

Main KW: automatic transmission, trends, car rental
Related KW: automatic, manual, AT, MT, short-term rental, car rental, rental price, vehicle availability, seasonality, summer season, family travel, city break, tourism, "or similar", vehicle category, fleet, utilization, remarketing, residual value, ADR, utilization, safety, comfort
Entities: PAYLESS Car Rental (Slovakia), hybrid, PHEV, BEV/electric vehicle, DSG, DCT, CVT/e-CVT, assistance systems, Bratislava (BTS)