Franchise Agreement With Unidas Will Bring Alamo and National Brands to 100+ Brazil Locations by March 2013
ST. LOUIS and SAO PAULO, Brazil, 2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today, for the first time, Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental locations are serving customers in Brazil.
Five Brazilian airports − Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo; Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro; Tancredo Neves/Confins International Airport in Belo Horizonte; Brasilia International Airport in Brasilia; and Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre – are home to new Alamo and National locations.
A recent franchise agreement between Enterprise Holdings − owner and operator of Alamo and National, as well as its flagship Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand in North America − and São Paulo-based Unidas, a leading Brazilian car rental operator, will bring the Alamo and National brands to more than 100 Unidas airport and city locations throughout Brazil by March 2013. Under the 15-year agreement, Unidas operates as the National and Alamo franchisee at the new Brazil locations.
“We are pleased to introduce the Alamo and National brands to the Brazilian market with the opening of these first five locations,” said Greg Stubblefield, executive vice president of global sales, marketing and strategy for Enterprise Holdings. “This partnership with Unidas – a company that strongly shares our belief in customer service – both expands travelers’ options and presents tremendous growth opportunities for all three brands throughout Latin America.”
Pedro de Almeida, executive president for Unidas, added, “We believe business and leisure travelers in Brazil will enjoy having these expanded rental options, and we are committed to providing the excellent service our trusted customers have come to know and expect from Unidas, Alamo and National.”
With annual revenues of $14.1 billion and more than 70,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings also operates, through its regional subsidiaries, more than 1 million cars and trucks, making it the largest and most comprehensive car rental service provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet. Enterprise Holdings also operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand in the UK, Germany and Ireland, and a franchise network that operates the National and Alamo brands throughout the Americas. Earlier this year, Enterprise Holdings acquired Citer SA in France and Atesa in Spain, and made a strategic investment in China-based eHi Auto Services.
For more information, visit www.alamo.com or www.national.com.
About Alamo Rent A Car
Founded in 1974, Alamo Rent A Car – the largest car rental provider to international travelers visiting North America – is a value-oriented, internationally recognized brand serving the rental needs of airport leisure travelers. Alamo offers low rental rates and a hassle-free customer experience at the most popular travel destinations throughout the world. In addition, Alamo customers in the U.S. are able to conveniently choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport.
Alamo is a recognized technology innovator, with the industry’s first and only online check-in system since 2005, as well as more than 171 self-service kiosks at 63 U.S. locations, which earned it the “Extra Mile Award” from Budget Travel magazine in 2007. Alamo also serves as the official rental car of Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort. Customers who book online receive Alamo’s best rates, and if they choose the “Prepay & Save” option when making their online reservation, they may receive an additional 10 percent discount. For more information about Alamo, visit www.alamo.com.
About National Car Rental
Founded in 1947, National Car Rental is a premium, internationally recognized brand serving the daily rental needs of the frequent airport traveler throughout the world. With National, time-sensitive customers in the United States are able to quickly choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport. National – which launched the car rental industry’s first comprehensive frequent-renter program – further expedites the rental process for Emerald Club members by offering counter bypass as well as access to National’s “Emerald Aisle,” an exclusive section of the lot where members can select any vehicle as long as they reserve a mid-sized car. In addition, Emerald Club members can choose to receive EmeraldAlertsSM – emailed communications that include Arrival and Return Alerts, and Drop & GoSM service with convenient eReceipts.
In 2011, Executive Travel magazine recognized National as the top rental car service in the travel industry, honoring the brand with its “Leading Edge Awards.” In addition, the SmarterTravel Editors Choice Award went to Emerald Club in 2010 and 2011 as the “Best Rental Car Loyalty Program.” Emerald Club also was awarded a 2010 Business Traveler Innovation Award – sponsored by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and The Wall Street Journal – for expediting the travel process and enhancing convenience and efficiency. For more information about National, visit www.nationalcar.com or www.facebook.com/NationalCarRental.
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