Automotive Rentals, Inc. history

Avis, an American rental company, purchased Saunders Systems in 1955, while Hertz was bought by GMC and later by the Omnibus Corporation.

In 1967, ownership of Hertz was again altered, this time in a merger/stock swap deal.

Big automotive companies started taking an interested in the car rental industry in 1980, as top guns like Ford and Chrysler purchased controlling interest in some of the larger chain rental agencies.

The relationship with RCA continued until 1985, when RCA decided to focus on its more traditional product lines and sold Hertz to UAL, Inc., owner of United Airlines, the largest airline in the country.

1987: Hertz is sold to Park Ridge Corporation, an investor group affiliated with Ford Motor Co.

In 1989 Chrysler formed the Pentastar Transportation Group, Inc. to operate its rental-car subsidiaries, which included General Rent-a-Car and Snappy Car Rental, Inc.

1991: Hertz Technologies subsidiary is established.

In January 1992, Hertz and Avis, Inc. reached a settlement after Hertz brought suit against its competitor, accusing them of false advertising.

In fact, beginning in 1993, Hertz enjoyed a six-year string of record earnings.

Data from publicly held United States car-rental companies and DTAG's experience indicated that until 1995 their industry had not kept pace with rising fleet costs.

In 1996, it increased safety features&ndashding anti-lock brakes and airbags in most of its cars--and teamed with Shared Technologies Cellular to offer cell phone rental.

In 1997 that center processed more than 4.4 million telephone calls and 1.6 million reservations.