GLASGOW, Scotland -- Budget Rent A Car now has more than 80% of
its U.S. fleet under corporate, rather than franchise, ownership,
up from 62% prior to the company's buyout by its biggest
franchisee, Team Rental, now called Budget Group.
At a press conference at the ASTA congress here, Mark Sotir,
senior vice president of worldwide marketing and reservations
operations, said Budget plans to boost that percentage during the
next couple of years to 90%, a move that will allow for more
consistency both in customer service and marketing programs.
When Budget was owned by Ford, it was somewhat restricted in the
types of acquisitions it could make, Sotir said. Budget now is
targeting a "small list of franchisees" for buyouts, he said.
Dennis O'Gara, Budget's senior vice president for worldwide sales,
said Budget currently has contracted to buy out franchisees in
Syracuse, N.Y., and St. Louis
In other company news, Budget Group, parent of Budget Rent A
Car, promoted Robert Aprati from senior vice president to executive
vice president, general counsel and secretary of the company.
Aprati, a member of Budget Group's executive management team, will
oversee all legal matters affecting Budget Group and also will
continue as general counsel for Budget Rent a Car.
Sheri Young was promoted to the position of vice prsident,
associate general counsel and assistant secretary for Budget Rent A
Car. Young was involved in Budget Groups recent acquisition of
Premier Car Rental, an insurance replacement concern, and will play
a key role in future acquisitions, Budget said.