Enterprise is buying National?

[Alicnwondrln]

I just got an email from National Emerald Car


NOTE TO OUR MEMBERS
=====================================================================

Dear *********** *****,

The recent news that Enterprise Rent-A-Car(R) plans to acquire
National Car Rental(R) has, understandably, led to much
discussion within the industry and among our customers.

This transaction would join two companies that focus on
different customers. By combining National's established airport
position and corporate customer strength with Enterprise's
expertise in serving home city customers, frequent and leisure
customers alike will enjoy more convenient access and service
at the airport and at home.

What will not change, however, is our commitment--now over twenty
years strong--to providing Emerald Club(R) members with the fast
rental experience they have come to expect, choice of our best
vehicles, and choice of awards. We thank you for your continued
business and look forward to serving you on your next rental.


_____________________________________________________________________

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I just got the same thing.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I just got the same thing.

well I am glad someone else got it
at first I thought it was SPAM

Doesnt National own Alamo ? Interesting

 

[CarolA]

It appears to be true and it's BAD news for travelers. That's one less rental car company which probably means higher rates. (Not to mention that as bad as I think Alamo's service is, rumor is that Enterprise's is WORSE! LOL!)

 

[Alicnwondrln]

LOL
I know Enterprise is BAD. I hope thye wont change anything at MCO. I have used Alamo and National there with no problems. We are *********** and Emerald Club members.

 

[PlutoPony]

Got it too.... Haven't rented from Enterprise for years, but thought their locations are way off from airports? Anybody use them regularly and know who their primary market is?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Yeah I dont think they are at the airport? I think you take a shuttle to them. I dont use them and I dont see alot of posts on here about them in comparison to the others.

 

[zulaya]

I just got the same thing. Are they only acquiring National? Or are they getting the whole kit-and-kaboodle and buying Alamo as well?

Not quite sure how I feel about this...

 

[CarolA]

The purchase appears to be of the Vanguard Company which owns both Alamo and National. It's a 100% purchase so it appears that Enterprise gets everything.

 

[zulaya]

Here's one article I just pulled off the 'net:

Enterprise Rent a Car picks up National, Alamo

April 3, 2007
by Mike Beirne

CHICAGO -- Enterprise Rent-A-Car is poised to grab a bigger chunk of the airport car rental market after entering into an agreement to buy Vanguard Car Rental Group, which operates the National and Alamo brands.

The deal was announced late Friday and is set to close during the third or fourth quarter of 2007, subject to government approval and other conditions. The acquisition would vault Enterprise, which has 7.6% of the airport rental business, to 27.3%, just behind Hertz, the airport car rental leader with 28.7%. The figures are based on Hertz market share estimates for ten months ended Oct. 31.

Enterprise, with more than 7,000 U.S. locations, is the leader in off-airport car rentals, offering replacement cars while a renters owned vehicles are being repaired, as well as catering to local business use and leisure travel. The St. Louis company has had its eye on airport rentals, as evidenced by the fact that its market share in airports has grown from 2% back in 2001. Avis held 19.9% of airport share and sister brand Budget retained 10.4%.

The announcement did not mention the fate of the Tulsa-based companies brands, but they’ll most likely stay in play because Enterprise would have three units with defined products and audiences. Alamo and National—which target leisure and business travelers, respectively—offer instant entry to vacationers and road warriors, many of whom respond to the points and miles promotions both brands already extend through their airline partners.

“As the dynamics of our industry continue to evolve, it’s clear to us that the future belongs to the service providers who offer the broadest array of services for anyone who needs or wants to rent a car,” Andrew Taylor, Enterprise chairman and CEO, said in a company release. “Joining forces with National and Alamo will enable us to do just that, from replacement and leisure rentals to small-business and corporate customers.”

Avrett, Free & Ginsberg, New York, have handled ad duties for Enterprise for a couple of decades. Fallon, Minneapolis, has worked on National and Alamo shortly after Vanguard acquired those brands out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2003.

 

[Disneylvr]

I have never rented from Enterprise in Orlando (we've always used National) but have used them locally many many times and have had great experiences. I do live in the city that Enterprise is based in and no I do not work for them or know anyone who works for them. I am hopeful this will be a good thing at MCO. Time will tell.

 

[erikthewise]

I have no inside knowledge, but it appears to be a case of Enterprise wanting an intact car rental brand that already has on-site service at major airports. (Is Enterprise on-site anywhere?!) So hopefully they will have the sense to let National and Alamo continue operating as in the past.

"People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices." Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Got it too.... Haven't rented from Enterprise for years, but thought their locations are way off from airports? Anybody use them regularly and know who their primary market is?

Enterprise is a Business (ours uses just them) and Neighborhood location renter. They are very big with Insurance companies as well.

This is not that bad of a mix . But i wonder about the Alamo thing as well. They just had a thread about Alamo putting in Koisk at certian locations to bypass the lines.Wonder if this will fall over to national and enterprise as well.

 

[Jestocost]

Enterprise is a privately held company based in St. Louis that has its roots in the replacement car market; providing rental cars to people who have their cars in the repair shop. They have expanded that into a broader "home city" business and made a limited push into the aiport market in the last 5-6 years. Even before that, however, they were the largest rental car company in the U.S., eclipsing Hertz as long ago as the 1998 or so.

Their service, historically, has been targeted at the home city renter and, as a result, they haven't been a favorite of business travelers. That's not to say their service is good or bad, just different. FWIW, they received BY FAR the highest overall rating in the 2006 J.D. Power Car Rental Satisfaction Survey with the highest possible score in every category.

It's a fascinating company, really. Everyone (or just about everyone) starts right out of college in the same job; handling the counter at a branch location, driving cars to customers ("We'll pick you up."), vacuuming and washing cars, cultivating repair shops for referrals, etc. Even the CEO who is a member of the founding/owning Taylor family started in that job. They are the #1 hirer of new college graduates in the country (10,000+ each year) and you are either up or out in a short time. Most management positions have been filled by people who came up the same way, although they have had to break this mold as they have grown larger and larger in order to have people with necessary technical skills on board.

The Vanguard purchase makes great sense on paper as far as a strategic fit goes. The challenge will be combining two very different cultures and doing a good job of meeting the very different needs of business and home city/leisure renters.

 

[simpilotswife]

I don't care for Enterprise because renting from them is like jumping through hoops. They don't just give you the keys and you go, they physically inspect the car with your before you take it. That is such a hassle to me. I can only hope that they don't implement that change at MCO.

 

[bavaria]

I don't care for Enterprise because renting from them is like jumping through hoops. They don't just give you the keys and you go, they physically inspect the car with your before you take it. That is such a hassle to me. I can only hope that they don't implement that change at MCO.

ditto. They are one of three preferred vendors I am able to use, and I only use them in places where Hertz and National are sold out. Usually that is in Backofnowhere. In Huntsville AL it was a loooooong trip from the airport and although I was the only customer, a looooooong wait for a car.

As a weekly renter I can't stand that waste of my time.

 

[manning]

The last time I used them was a few years ago when the car was in for repair. They had a strange rate structure. If you did not cross a state line you could get at rate with unlimited mileage. Cross the line and it was a daily and mileage rate. Also when you pickedup/dropped off the car the agent walked the car examining for damages and you had to sign off on it, both in and out. To me it was a pain since I use Diners Club for rental and they provide primary coverage. There is an Enterprise 3 blocks away and I take a pass on them.