ANC Rental: children better off alone

Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental may find a happier home with their new owner, Cerberus Capital Management. The car hire companies, currently owned by ANC Rental [ANCX], stand to benefit from increased investment and a more stable environment once they are distanced from the troubles of their parent.

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Avis Europe: brakes on profits

Avis Europe's [AVE.L] 2003 full year profits plunged to E59.4 million from E122.3 million the year before. This sharp drop is partly a result of the Iraq conflict and generally weak demand in the car rental market. However, Avis has also seemingly underestimated the cost of integrating the Budget rental operation acquired in 2002, and the group may have to tighten its belt further this year.

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Avis Europe: funding for the future

Car rental firm Avis Europe has launched a rights issue to raise GBP110 million to fund its strategy to recover from a series of blows in recent years. With increased capital, the company should be able to build on its strengths and further develop its position in the car rental market.

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Avis Europe: tough drive back to success

Avis Europe [AVE.L] recorded an improvement in overall sales in H1 but a decline in total profit due to increased losses from its Budget operations as well as one-off charges. As the market continues to recover, Avis Europe is likely to benefit from higher rental volumes, although price increases will be limited.

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Europcar's new owner shifts up a gear

The acquisition of Europcar has cost the French private equity firm Eurazeo more than many had predicted, and with good reason. Following a few years of damaging declines, the outlook is now bright for the global car rental market, and Europcar's strategy of expansion into North America and China is one many private equity firms would bet their money on. Jugoslav Stojanov reports...

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German car rentals: disposals to decline to 2007

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Russian car lease market has potential for expansion but problems persist

Despite phenomenal growth in the Russian fleet car lease market, some significant problems still exist. A combination of a high accident rate and a slow rate of repair has given crash repair garages in the country a poor reputation. The woes of the full-service lessors operating in Russia reflect some of the deficiencies in the country's overall auto infrastructure.

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Volkswagen holding all the aces in possible Europcar deal

Volkswagen can afford to vacillate over the sale of its Europcar rental business. As well as occupying the top spot in the European market, the division has a successful global franchised network and still has considerable scope for growth. Volkswagen might therefore be wise to take time to consider the options, after all, there appears to be no shortage of potential buyers.

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