CAR rental and leasing is becoming increasingly popular in Shanghai and rental cars are increasingly used by expatriates.

Jasmine Car Rental Co, just two years old, targets expat customers and offers nine cars, including Buick GL8, Passat 1.8T, Audi A6L, Benz MB100 and Toyota Coaster, as well as Kinglong buses. The cost ranges from 650 yuan (US$102) to 2,500 yuan a day.

Its focus on expat leasing has paid dividends and the brand is increasingly well known. The leasing turnover between May and July is equal to the total between 2010 and 2011.

The company is also known for efficient marketing and sales strategies, qualified management and service.

The market for car leasing in Shanghai is unprecedented, says Charlene Xu, the founder and managing director of the company.

"There are now around 100,000 expat residents in Shanghai. Their needs for car leasing are considerable," Xu says.

Ninety percent of the company's contracts are for one year to three years, she says.

The World Expo 2010 in Shanghai saw the expansion of the rental car market. The opening of Disney Land in the Pudong New Area in two years is expected to increase business dramatically.

At the same time, locals increasingly rent cars for group outings, short trips and big events like business meetings, weddings and parties.

"Renting a car has become one of the best choices for many occasions. It's more convenient and comfortable, compared with using public transport," says Liu Huilan, an official from Hanyu Car Rental Co.

With more than 10 years in the industry, Hanyu has offices in both Shanghai and Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It provides Buick GL8, Passat, Audi A6L, Benz S600, BMW735 and Toyota. The cost ranges from 600 yuan to 1,800 yuan a day.

Most car rental and leasing companies in Shanghai provide long and short-term leases, airport transport, business car service, wedding service and chauffeur service.

Customers can telephone or send an e-mail to reserve a rental car, settling all details, price, place and time of pickup.

"But for long-term leasing and important occasions, most clients visit the company to look at the car and discuss contract details," says Liu from Hanyu.

She recommends that clients pay close attention to contract details to avoid any misunderstanding.

Good communication with customers and reliability are important in the car rental industry, especially in an international city.

"When wedding car service is provided, Hanyu's professional operation manager recommends a car that is appropriate but not wasteful," Liu says. The company also prepares the car flower decorations and presents gifts to the couple to extend best wishes.

Many car rental companies provide English service, and clients can request an English-speaking chauffeur.

"The whole team of more than 10 people working for me can speak fluent English," says Xu from Jasmine Car Rental. "This is a big advantage."

? Mandarin House
Mandarin House offers courses including real-life Chinese, HSK preparation, corporate programs and junior summer camps.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-9pm; Friday, 8:30am-6pm; weekends, 9am-6pm
Address: 12/F, Asia Mansion, 650 Hankou Rd
Tel: 6137-1987
Check www.mandarinhouse.com for tuition detail.

? Mandarin Garden
In cooperation with Shanghai Television University, it is one of the best Mandarin schools in Shanghai with various Chinese-language courses and cultural activities.
Hours: 9am-7pm
Address: 3/F, 1358 Yan'an Rd W.
Tel: 5258-9881, 400-600-2922
Tuition: 118-158 yuan for each lesson (55 minutes for 1-on-1 lesson)

? iMandarin
iMandarin offers year-round classes for both beginners and advanced students, with an average of four to six students each group.
Hours: 9am-6pm
Address: Suite 720, West Office Building, 1376 Najing Rd W.
Tel: 3222-1028, 5037-2711
Tuition: 9,600 yuan for 60 lessons (50 minutes each)

? Mandarin Today
The professional Chinese-language school features language training and city tour to help students understand the culture background and get acquainted with the local life.
Address: Rm 802, Bldg 16, 333 Biyun Rd, Pudong
Tel: 5030-5020
Check www.mandarintoday.com for tuition detail.

? Miracle Mandarin
It is well known for its professionalism, excellent methodology and exceptional customer service. It has successfully trained more than 6,000 overseas students.
Jing'an campus
Address: 21/F, 319 Changde Rd
Tel: 6247-6388
Xuhui campus
Address: 1195 Fuxing Rd M.
Tel: 5466-5585
Xujiahui campus
Address: Rm 401, Bldg 10, 396 Wulumuqi Rd S.
Tel: 6433-3353
Pudong campus
Address: Rm 501, Bldg 2, 300 Laoshan Rd, Pudong
Tel: 5888-8755
Check www.miraclemandarin.com for tuition fees.




? Changning District
Zhongshan Park
Hours: 5am-7pm (summer); 6am-6pm (non-summer)
Address: 780 Changning Rd

Tianshan Park
Hours: 5am-6pm (April-June); 5am-7pm (July-September); 6am-6pm (October-March)
Address: 1731 Yan'an Rd W.

? Jing'an District
Xikang Park
Hours: 6am-6pm
Address: 255 Xikang Rd

Jing'an Park
Hours: 5am-6pm (April-June); 5am-7pm (July-September); 6am-6pm (October-March)
Address: 1649 Nanjing Rd W.
? Huangpu District
People's Park
Hours: 6am-6pm
Address: 231 Nanjing Rd W.

Huangpu Park
Hours: 6am-12am
Address: 500 Zhongshan Rd E1

Penglai Park
Hours: 5am-6pm (April-June); 5am-7pm (July-September); 6am-6pm (October-March)
Address: 380 Chezhan Rd S.
? Pudong New Area
Century Park
Hours: 7am-6pm
Address: 1001 Jinxiu Rd

? Xuhui District
Guilin Park
Hours: 6am-6pm
Address: 128 Guilin Rd

Xujiahui Park
Hours: 24 hours
Address: 889 Zhaojiabang Rd




? Stampede KartingAddress: Section C, Basement, 1288 Zhenguang RdTel: 6139-5095
? Orden Bowling Center
Address: 10 Hengshan Rd
Tel: 6474-6666

? Shanghai Badminton Club
Address: East China Normal University, 3663 Zhongshan Rd N.
Tel: 6223-3602

? Shanghai InternationalTennis Center
Address: 516 Hengshan Rd
Tel: 6415-5588

? Active Kidz Shanghai
Address: 3333 Hongmei Rd
Tel: 6406-6757

? Isis Belly Dance Club
Address: Bldg 6, 69 Ruijin No. 2 Rd
Tel: 5382-7238

? Shanghai Century StarSkating Club
Address: B2, Mercedes-Benz Arena, 1200 Shibo Ave, Pudong
Tel: 6833-6786

? Sheshan InternationalGolf Club
Address: 288 Linyinxin Rd
Tel: 5779-8088