1920's
Mr Bewglass Sr started a small garage in Paterson St in Launceston. His son, W.G. (Wenty) Bewglass then took it over.
1930's
Wenty added a service called White Star Line, consisting of a 12-seater bus which travelled from Launceston, through the Fingal Valley to St Marys and back. Max Cox joined as a relief driver and became good friends with Wenty before he joined the war effort and went to Brisbane. In the late 1930’s, Stan and Vida Perry started Perry’s Car Rental Service.
1940's
Once the war was over, Max returned to employment with Bewglass which had a fleet of around 10 cars. Wenty was accidentally killed by his son. Max was appointed managing director. He changed the name to Bewglass Drive Yourself Cars.
1950's
Bewglass now had a larger fleet and joined with Empire Motors on the North West Coast. Max started Bewglass Motel Tours and became an outbound travel agent. In 1957, Max bought Holden station wagons and added tea chest full of camping equipment to create to forerunner of today’s campervans.
1960's
In 1966 a new Tasmanian business, Alpha Car Rental Company was founded by Jeff, June and Noel Edwards. Initially opening in Hobart, Alpha began to operate from service stations in Launceston, Devonport and Burnie. By the end of 1969, Alphas fleet had hit 100 and they’d outgrown their premises. Alpha purchased their first real estate in Launceston.
1970's
In 1973, Bewglass added campervans to their fleet. In 1974, Alpha purchased property in Devonport and Burnie. Alphas continued growth culminated with amalgamation with Bewglass and Perry’s in mid-1977 under the name AutoRent. A short time later, AutoRent acquired the franchise for Tasmania of Budget Rent a Car, adding trucks to the fleet of cars and campervans.
1980's
Early in 1983, AutoRent added motorhomes to the campervan fleet. Max Cox acquired a patent for a “black box” which ensured the battery for the engine was kept separate from the living part. During 1984, the contract with Budget was ended. Budget moved back to Tasmania on their own behalf and AutoRent became the licensee for Hertz car rental in Tasmania.
1990's
AutoRent started its own wholesaling division, packaging hotel accommodation with their own rental vehicles. In the late 1990’s, flights were severely disrupted by the pilot’s dispute. AutoRent chartered Bandeirante aircraft and started “AutoRent Airlines” so their business customers could fly in and out of Tasmania.
2000's
AutoRent established itself as a reputable rental company in Tasmania. In early 2020, AutoRent launched a new business called CamperPlus, focusing on caravan sales in Launceston. In 2021, after nearly 40 years as a licensee, AutoRent began independently renting out campervans and motorhomes, with intentions to further expand its fleet.
