OPENLANE Teams with Dollar Thrifty to Pre-Sell Rentals

August 11, 2009

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MENLO PARK, Calif. — With used-car demand up in the current economy, OPENLANE is taking advantage through its recently announced partnership with Dollar Thrifty.

OPENLANE's Order in Fleet program allows dealers to pre-order and pre-sell vehicles before they're off Dollar Thrifty's fleet which can benefit the company, dealers and used-vehicle buyers via quicker access.

"We're pleased to be working with OPENLANE to offer the Order in Fleet service to OPENLANE's dealer base," said Jeffrey Cerefice, vice president of fleet services, global franchising and Thrifty Car Sales at Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.

"OPENLANE's auction services provide us with a more efficient and cost-effective way to sell and transport our fleet vehicles by ensuring they're sold before being retired from the fleet, which greatly speeds up and enhances the sales process overall," Cerefice explained.

The goal behind the partnership is for faster returns and reduced marketing costs for inventory sold through the online auction. The Order in Fleet purchase tool offers dealers a greater selection of used vehicles earlier in the buying process, allowing them to obtain what they need faster and without the need for the vehicle to be retired prior to sale.

"OPENLANE has partnered with Dollar Thrifty Group for a number of years to sell its rental vehicles, and we're pleased to deepen that partnership by providing the Order in Fleet program to facilitate the sale of Dollar Thrifty vehicles even earlier than before," said Daniel Farrar, chief executive officer of OPENLANE.

"We're constantly looking for new ways to help our consignors and dealers streamline the process of buying and selling used vehicles," he continued. "Providing them with the ability purchase vehicles while still in fleet measures up to valuable savings and is a unique service that we consider to be a real competitive advantage."

Through OPENLANE's online inventory, dealers can gain access to Dollar Thrifty's nationwide selection, and a search tool within the Order in Fleet program gives dealers the ability to find what they want based on make, model, year, mileage, location and an option to buy vehicles either individually or by truckload.

Additionally, dealers who work with the OPENLANE Order in Fleet program can expect purchases to be completed within five to seven business days, including VIN and vehicle details, which can help dealers floor plan faster, according to the company. Also, all Dollar Thrifty Group units ordered are guaranteed within $300 of being wholesale ready and come without any existing collision, frame, flood or fire damage.

For more information on Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, visit www.dtag.com.