Enterprise available in Denmark through new partnership

LONDON, Feb. 24, 2015 /CNW/ -- Continuing its expansion into Europe, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has launched in Denmark through a new joint venture between two well-established Danish businesses.

Danske Bank-owned Nordania Leasing and Semler Group, one of Denmark's largest vehicle retailing and servicing operations, have joined forces to create the new car rental business, which will operate a network of Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches across Denmark.

The company opened a branch at Copenhagen airport on 17 February, has another location already planned to serve customers at Jutland's Billund airport and intends to open more sites throughout the country.

The proposed network of Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in Denmark will be sited at key airport and transport hubs in order to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers. Branches will also be opened at existing Semler Group dealerships across the country to service customers from local communities.

The joint venture between Nordania Leasing and Semler Group sees the co-operation of two successful Danish organisations, which are already recognised for their superior customer care and understanding of the transport needs of businesses and consumers. All of Enterprise's international partners have been selected for their dedication to customer service.

Head of sales and member of executive board at Nordania Leasing, Henrik Rohmann-Sonderby, said: "Through this partnership we believe we have the opportunity to provide a genuinely new option to everyone looking to rent a vehicle in Denmark. Under the global Enterprise banner, we will combine Danish automotive expertise with a world-renowned culture of customer service."

"We are seeing demand for car hire grow throughout the country, as people want more flexibility and the ability to access vehicles in a range of different ways. Through our partnership with Enterprise we believe that we have the right support to become a major player in the sector."

Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising at Enterprise, said: "Establishing the brand in Denmark is significant as it was one of the last countries in Europe where Enterprise has not been available to date. Both Semler and Nordania have a strong vision as well as the infrastructure to deliver against a clear business plan for growth."

"Enterprise is built on customer satisfaction and I am convinced that we have chosen the right partners to carry on this legacy. We're looking forward to working with this very motivated and successful team to continue to grow the Enterprise business across the world, providing customers with more choice and – of course – outstanding service."

Nordania Leasing provides car finance for private individuals and businesses, as well as leasing vans, trucks, machinery, equipment and property for corporations. It employs 200 dedicated employees and has a long track record for sound business management and customer support.

Semler Group is the largest automotive group in Denmark with almost 100 years' experience in the import and sale of cars. The company employs more than 1,600 people and has a network of more than 50 dealerships across Denmark. Many of these will also become Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch locations offering full car and van hire services – alongside the traditional car dealerships.

A planned programme of international expansion during the last two years has resulted in the growth of the Enterprise network into almost every European country.

With the inclusion of Denmark, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand is currently available in 32 countries in Europe and the Middle East. These are Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.

The company will become operational in additional countries throughout EMEA in the coming months.

Worldwide Enterprise has operations in more than 70 countries.

About Enterprise Holdings

Enterprise Holdings, through its regional subsidiaries, operates the largest fleet of vehicles in the world through a global network of more than 8,600 neighbourhood and airport locations under the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. Enterprise Holdings, the largest car rental company in the world, and its affiliate Enterprise Fleet Management together offer a total transportation solution. Combined, these businesses – which include extensive car rental and car-sharing services, commercial truck rental, corporate fleet management and retail car sales – accounted for $17.8 billion in revenue, employed 83,000 and operated 1.5 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal year 2014. Enterprise Holdings also ranks as one of the largest private companies in the U.S. and, if it were a public company, Enterprise Holdings would place at number 159 on the Fortune 500 list. In addition, Enterprise Holdings has the lowest leverage ratio and is the only investment-grade company in the U.S. car rental industry.

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SOURCE Enterprise Holdings

John Davies, Enterprise Holdings, [email protected], http://www.enterprise.com