hertz

Here's the loophole behind AutoSlash's clever new approach to getting you the best deal on a rental car: Rental companies don't penalize you for canceling. That means AutoSlash can book you the best price it can find today -- and then keep looking for a better one.

News items to watch next week include Groupon's long-awaited IPO, the release of Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto V, Dunkin' Brands second-ever quarterly report, and more from car rental companies to satellite radio.

After 18 months of letting potential buyers kick its tires, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced that it's no longer for sale. This is bad news for Hertz, which seemed to be the last bidder standing after Avis Budget dropped out. The operators' loss is naturally the consumers' gain, and trends look ominous for this industry going forward.

#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-32948{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-32948, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-32948{width:620px;height:439px;display:block;}Renting a car shouldn't drive you to the poorhouse or leave you spinning your...

Car rental company Hertz (HTZ) announced the launch of an online marketplace to help used-car dealers purchase vehicles from its fleet. The Dealer Direct program will provide dealers with real-time information on available vehicles, Hertz said in a statement. Dealers can purchase the cars...

Hertz Global Holdings's says fourth-quarter profit exceeded the company's forecast as it improved the efficiency of its operations. Strong used-car prices probably don't hurt too.

Want an extended test-drive of an electric car? Hertz will offer an electric version of the diminutive Smart Fortwo for rent in New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco in the coming months, the companies announced. The electric cars will be available starting Dec. 15 through a car-sharing...

Hertz has agreed to refund customers the fees charged for its Plate Pass road-toll service on days it wasn't used, says Florida's attorney general. The Plate Pass service bills rental car customers for road tolls (plus a usage fee) in lieu of them having to pay tolls at toll plazas. Florida...

Avis Budget has increased its offer for Dollar Thrifty, firing the latest salvo in its bidding war for Dollar with archrival Hertz. It's a familiar pattern in the world of mergers and acquisitions, and the data shows that interlopers like Avis often a better chance of taking home the prize.

A week after rental car giant Hertz announced plans to drive off into the sunset with Dollar Thrifty, rival Avis Budget on Monday made clear that it plans to crash the party. Avis is wooing Dollar for itself, bringing a higher offer (and some serious hired guns) to the table.