Enterprise to Take the Caribbean Out For a Test Drive

Enterprise Holdings, owners of Enterprise Rent-a-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, is expanding into the Caribbean with its announcement that it will franchise the use of its Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand to several Caribbean operators, notably Guyane Car in French Guiana, L.A.M. in Martinique and S.G.L.V. in Guadeloupe.

In a statement, the company noted these new operations further expand the international footprint of the Enterprise brand.

Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising for Enterprise Holdings, said in a release: "The introduction of the Enterprise brand to these important markets means international travelers and local residents will be able to experience first-hand our signature customer service and convenient rental process."

According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, almost 25 million tourists visited the Caribbean in 2012. The car rental market in the U.S. alone is $24 billion, with Enterprise Holdings comprising almost half of that at $11.5 billion.

As of the end of 2012, the company had more than 941,000 cars on the road and more than 6,200 U.S. locations. Both figures are more than the combined totals of the next four rental car companies – Hertz, Avis Budget Group, Dollar-Thrifty Automotive Group and ZipCar.

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