Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced the appointment of its second European franchisee, Locauto Rent in Italy, as the next step in a planned programme to establish the company’s flagship brand across Europe.

This agreement brings Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s European presence to seven countries - the UK, Germany, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and now Italy - which together represent more than 85 percent of the European car rental market.

As a major European tourist and business destination and the fifth largest market for rental car services, the agreement with Locauto Rent provides Enterprise Rent-A-Car with the next vital building block in its growth strategy.

The acquisitions of Citer in France and ATESA in Spain, together with the franchisee arrangements in Portugal and Italy, demonstrate how Enterprise is committed to developing a European network fully able to meet the increasing needs of both domestic and international leisure and business travellers.

“Daily rental use for Enterprise continues to grow across Europe, both among leisure and business travellers from other markets, as well as amongst domestic renters,” said Jim Burrell, senior vice president, European operations, for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

“Our focus is on providing the highest levels of service and products that offer outstanding value and flexibility to all our customers.

“For us, growth is not about size, it is about providing customers with more and better choices at a time when they are increasingly turning to car rental as a primary mode of transport.”

Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognised brand with more than 7,000 neighbourhood and airport locations.