Investors keen on top rental firms

Ownership restrictions and changing habits drive growth

Driven by rising consumer affluence, government policies limiting cars in big cities and the rapid development of tourism, strong demand for rental cars is attracting investment to the top companies.

Shanghai-based eHi Auto Services Co, one of the top three in fleet size, announced on Dec 20 that it received an investment of more than $100 million from the country's largest online travel agency Ctrip.com.