Enterprise Takes Next Step in Comprehensive Expansion Across Europe; Guerin First Enterprise Rent-A-Car Franchise In The World
ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - December 5, 2012) - Enterprise Holdings today announced that, for the first time in its more than 55-year history, the company is franchising its flagship Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand, as it appoints Guerin Car Rental Solutions as a franchisee in Portugal. This agreement brings the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand's European presence to six countries -- the UK, Germany, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal -- representing more than 65 percent of the European car rental market.
With the company's announcement earlier today that it is rebranding the recently acquired Citer and Atesaoperations in France and Spain, the total number of corporate-owned and franchise Enterprise Rent-A-Car locations in Europe now exceeds 1,000. Today, the European Enterprise Rent-A-Car network operates more than 100,000 vehicles.
"We are committed to developing a comprehensive network of rental car businesses across Europe and beyond," said Jim Burrell, senior vice president, Europe, for Enterprise Holdings. The company -- through its regional subsidiaries -- operates the largest fleet of vehicles in the world and a global network of more than 8,200 airport and neighborhood locations.
International Gateways
"While this may be the first franchising agreement for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand, it won't be the last," said Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising. "In fact, we plan to continue this same growth strategy throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia."
The new franchise agreement not only enables both companies to better meet customers' needs, it also marks Enterprise Holdings' entry into the Portuguese market. Since 1989, Guerin has been a leader in Portugal's car rental sector with a nationwide presence in all metropolitan centers and major airports, including the international gateways of Lisbon, Faro, Madeira and Porto.
"We're careful to choose strong, stable domestic businesses as our international franchise partners, and Guerin certainly meets that standard as a well-respected travel industry leader in Portugal," Smith continued.
"Enterprise Rent-A-Car is known for great value and superior service," said José AntónioFigueiredo, managing director of Guerin. "Now, together, we'll extend that same level of value and service to customers throughout Portugal."
As the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand expands its global footprint, special training will be provided to underscore Enterprise's unique customer service approach, including management techniques designed to give branch employees greater autonomy to meet the needs of local customers. To further ensure that the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand remains synonymous with customer service excellence around the world, franchised locations also will apply the renowned Enterprise Service Quality index (ESQi), which measures employees' success in satisfying their customers. Customer feedback is tabulated and tracked every month to determine the ESQi score, which links employees' career and financial aspirations with their ability to provide consistently superior service to each and every customer.
Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand that has grown organically to almost 7,000 neighborhood and airport locations. Today, Enterprise Holdings has a presence in 39 countries worldwide, including 8,200 corporate-owned and franchise locations. Currently, through its regional subsidiaries, Enterprise Holdings operates a National and Alamo franchise network throughout the Americas. Earlier this year, the company also made a strategic investment in China-based eHi Auto Services.
"We've learned how to successfully work with franchisees and maintain the integrity of our brands -- especially our reputation for providing exceptional customer service," said Lee Broughton, assistant vice president of global marketing and communications for Enterprise Holdings. "As a result, we are in an even stronger position today when customers tell us they also want to use the Enterprise brand wherever they travel.
"We are confident that this new partnership with Guerin will enable us to offer Enterprise Rent-A-Car customers a consistently positive experience when their travels take them to Portugal," Broughton continued. "Our brands share a common commitment to serving the needs of business and leisure travelers alike, and we look forward to working seamlessly together to serve our customers in this dynamic European market."
For more information, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com.
About Enterprise Holdings
Enterprise Holdings owns the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand as well as the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands in the Americas, and together with its affiliate Enterprise Fleet Management, offers a total transportation solution. Combined, Enterprise Holdings and Enterprise Fleet Management -- which includes extensive car rental and car sharing services, commercial truck rental, corporate fleet management, and retail car sales -- accounted for $15.4 billion in revenue and operated 1.3 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal 2012. Its affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, provides full-service fleet management to companies and organizations with small- to medium-sized fleets. Other transportation services marketed under the Enterprise brand name include Enterprise CarShare, Enterprise Rideshare, Enterprise Car Sales, and Enterprise Commercial Trucks. Enterprise Holdings, operating through its regional subsidiaries, is the largest car rental company in the world as measured by revenue, fleet, and employees. Enterprise Holdings' annual revenues also place it near the top of the travel industry, exceeding all other rental car companies, and most airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators and online travel agencies.
For more information, contact:
Laura Bryant
Enterprise Holdings
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