Enterprise Holdings Acquires Toronto-Based Metavera

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 7, 2015 /CNW/ -- Enterprise Holdings today announced that its regional subsidiary, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Canada Company, has purchased Metavera Solutions Inc., a leading provider of car sharing technology.

Metavera provides sustainable transportation technologies to customers in more than a dozen countries around the world. Founded in 2000, it offers a leading car sharing system for independent operators, as well as technology solutions for fleet management and peer-to-peer car sharing.

"For more than a decade, our team has been focused on creating intelligent systems that change the way people drive, and we look forward to continuing that tradition of innovation with Enterprise," said Tony Simopoulos, founder and president of Metavera. "Enterprise shares our commitment to investing in people, communities and sustainable transportation solutions. This combination not only is a natural fit for our business, but also a testament to the ingenuity of our employees."

Enterprise Holdings – which owns and operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands – purchased Metavera for its car sharing technology and industry expertise, which will support the ongoing evolution of its Enterprise CarShare operation. "Uniting our business expertise with Metavera's technology and industry-leading talent will enable us to enhance both our technology and the service we offer," said Greg Stubblefield, chief strategy officer and executive vice president for Enterprise Holdings.

Enterprise will work with current Metavera customers and partners to ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders. Metavera employees, including Simopoulos, will be retained and will continue to operate in Toronto. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Local Enterprise Network

Enterprise CarShare operates as a natural extension of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car network, which includes more than 5,500 fully staffed neighborhood and airport offices in the U.S. alone – over 50 percent more than its nearest competitor. These convenient and accessible offices are located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population and reflect the company's longtime focus on offering sustainable local transportation options, including vanpooling, car sharing and online ride-matching.

In fact, Enterprise has been delivering transportation alternatives right where people live and work since 1957. Forty years later, Enterprise Rent-A-Car trademarked the term Virtual Car®, after recognizing the strength and energy of local car rental, regardless if it is for an hour, a day, a week or longer. Today, Enterprise CarShare is a cost-effective alternative to car ownership, an environmentally friendly and hassle-free supplement to public transit and – since it's backed by Enterprise's award-winning customer service – a convenient and reliable resource for members in select markets across the country.

Enterprise CarShare is now available in more than 35 U.S. states, Canada and the U.K., on nearly 100 university campuses and through 40 dedicated government and business accounts. During the past year alone, Enterprise CarShare reports its membership has increased by almost 100 percent and that it has launched more than 30 new programs in North America.

Last year, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Canada Company also acquired Autoshare, Toronto's first car-sharing organization. In addition, Enterprise participated in a 2014 SXSW Eco panel discussion, "City Transit 411: Urban Myths & Urban Mobility," focusing on the urban transit evolution. Earlier this year, Enterprise CarShare joined the CarSharing Association, a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing cooperation between urban mobility providers, cities and public transit.

For more information about Enterprise Holdings, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com.

About Enterprise Holdings

Enterprise Holdings – the largest car rental company in the world as measured by revenue, fleet and employees – operates a global network of more than 8,600 fully staffed neighborhood and airport locations under the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. In addition, Enterprise Holdings and its affiliate Enterprise Fleet Management together offer a total transportation solution, including extensive car rental and car sharing services, truck rental, corporate fleet management and retail car sales. Combined, these businesses 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 currently is ranked as one of America's Largest Private Companies. Furthermore, if it were publicly traded, Enterprise Holdings would rank on Fortune's list of the 500 largest American public companies. Enterprise Holdings, through its regional subsidiaries, operates more than 6,000 fully staffed offices in the U.S. – almost 70 percent more than its nearest competitor – and all located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. In addition, Enterprise Holdings not only accounts for the largest airport market share in the U.S., but its domestic rental fleet also is one of the newest in the industry. The company's affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, provides full-service fleet management to companies and organizations with medium-sized fleets. Other transportation services marketed under the Enterprise brand name include Enterprise CarShare, Enterprise Rideshare, Enterprise Car Sales, Enterprise Truck Rental and Zimride by Enterprise. For more information about Enterprise Holdings, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com.

This press release and car rental industry news are available in the Enterprise Holdings Press Room.

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SOURCE Enterprise Holdings

Laura Bryant, Enterprise Holdings, [email protected], http://www.enterprisholdings.com