A brand-new 1,300cc Chana Benni can be rented for just that price - inclusive of GST and insurance.

This is believed to be the lowest rate here for new cars.

Ten of these five-seater hatchbacks are available for rent, with three sporting eye-catching 'Try me' teaser door and bumper stickers.

Euroauto Leasing, the year-old car rental firm that rents out the cars, said the response has been very good.

Mr Chris Lim, Euroauto's director of marketing and sales, said that since the launch of the manual transmission Bennis for rental last month, there have been more than 100 inquiries.

Most weekends will see the cars fully booked. Four of the 10 cars are on a long-term hire basis, from six months to a year. A month's rental is $800, after a $100 discount.

The average rental rate for a 1,300cc brand-new car, usually a Japanese make, costs about $65 to $70 for a day.

There is one firm that offers another China-made car, the 800cc Chery QQ. Its rate for this hatchback is $50 per day, before GST.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times

hfhuang@sph.com.sg

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