"It is the first time they are formally coming out with combined offer," said Dave Kildu?, managing director of the CWT Solutions Group ground transportation practice. "The theory behind it is you can negotiate both at the same time and get a better rate overall." Representatives from neither Avis Budget nor Carey returned calls seeking additional details.
Avis Budget in 2007 paid about $60 million for 45 percent of chauffeured transportation firm Carey, and later declined an option to grow its stake to roughly 80 percent.