Orbit Car Hire

Founded: August 2020
Headquarters: Iceland (Reykjavik)
Type: Private
Categories: Online car rental broker / aggregator
Markets: Worldwide (partner network in 25,000+ locations)

Overview: Orbit Car Hire is an Icelandic online car rental broker launched in 2020. Founded by two friends with experience in car rental, Orbit’s platform lets customers compare and book rental cars from multiple agencies. Unlike some brokers, Orbit advertises no extra fees – the price quoted is the final price (no booking or cancellation fee added). Orbit works with all the major car rental brands and many local companies, providing service in over 25,000 locations worldwide. The company also emphasizes 24/7 customer support: its call center operates all day year-round to assist customers with bookings, changes or roadside help. Orbit’s founding mission is to offer low rates with full coverage and transparency, managing the customer’s booking end-to-end with its supplier partners. Though still young, Orbit has offices in several European countries and is gradually expanding globally.

Products and Services:
– Online car rental bookings (platform compares supplier rates, like a meta-search).
– “Orbit 4×4” specialized bookings for Iceland’s popular 4×4 routes (noted on site).
– Roadside assistance support.
– Free amendments and cancellations (subject to supplier policies).

Geography and Markets: Orbit started by serving the European market (esp. Iceland’s growing tourism) but quickly extended to North America, Asia and beyond through partnerships. The key market is leisure travelers seeking simple and transparent deals.

Ownership and Corporate Structure: Orbit Car Hire is privately owned by its founders. It uses a franchise/partnership model to expand its offerings (as indicated by its site’s list of worldwide offices). As of 2023, it remains independent, working via collaborations with major car rental companies.

Key Dates:
– 2020: Orbit Car Hire founded in Iceland.
– 2021: Rapid expansion of network; emphasis on fee-free booking model.
– 2022–23: Establishes offices in Europe; signs franchise partners in Latin America, Middle East.

(Sources: Company financial reports, SEC filings, official press releases, and reputable news outlets were used.)