<B>Under The Hood</B>
<B>New Leadership At National And Alamo</B>
ANC Rental Group, the former Automotive Rental Group of AutoNation Inc., which is being spun off as a separate company, recently appointed new presidents to National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car. Ernest Johnson, formerly vice president of revenue management operations at the Automotive Rental Group and a longtime executive at National, became president of National Car Rental, replacing Robert Briggs. Responsible for all sales, marketing, airport relations, brand delivery and licensee activities, Johnson said a particular focus of his leadership will be more intensive marketing of Emerald Aisle, National's express rental service, along with enhancements. "We've had a great campaign for the past two years that's done a lot to familiarize people with National," he said. "Now we'll put more energy into talking about choice," which is a reference to the choice of cars that is a unique Emerald Aisle benefit. Johnson's appointment follows ANC's decision late last year to move Minneapolis-based National down to Fort Lauderdale, where it is sharing Alamo's facility.
Michael Going, vice president of worldwide sales at Alamo, was promoted to president. A 15-year veteran of Alamo, Going has served on the boards for the American Society of Travel Agents and the National Business Travel Association. He is also a trustee on the board of the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.
ANC also announced new appointments to six other key positions in the Automotive Rental Group, which is headed by former Alamo CEO Michael Egan. Notwithstanding the departure of many longtime key National executives, observers basically applauded the changes, noting that bringing National under the ANC wing in Florida gives ANC more control of the company. Meanwhile, Budget Group Inc. has appointed Neal S. Cohen, formerly senior vice president and treasurer at Northwest Airlines, as executive vice president and CFO.
<B><A NAME="2">ACRA Names New Officers</B>
The American Car Rental Association, the Washington, D.C.-based trade organization that has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, showed signs of life with the announcement of new officers. Don Himelfarb, president and CEO of Thrifty Inc., was named president; Don Ross, COO of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, is ACRA's new vice president; and Mike Going, president of Alamo, is the new secretary/treasurer. Ernest Johnson at National and Mark Sotir, president of North American vehicle rental operations at Budget, have joined the board of directors. Conspicuously missing is representation from the two industry leaders, Hertz and Avis.
<B><A NAME="3">Hertz Debuts New, Upgraded Technologies</B>
Hertz Corp. has introduced a new satellite technology, called Flight Arrival Notification Systems, that will provide #1 Club Gold personnel with real-time flight information. It will enable Hertz staff to prepare Gold rental stalls in conjunction with potential flight delays and cancellations, leading to more efficient and productive service. Hertz also has upgraded the wireless technology used in communications between airport courtesy shuttle bus operators and Hertz #1 Club Gold rental facilities. The upgrade will enable bus drivers to immediately transmit the names of arriving #1 Club Gold customers, enhancing the speed and accuracy of service.
<B><A NAME="4">Hertz, Budget Offer More Choice of Cars</B>
Further evidence was on view last week of Starwood Hotels & Resorts's strategy to reposition its Westin Hotels & Resorts as an upper upscale brand. The company officially reflagged nine European hotels it acquired from Ciga as Westins. Included are properties in Madrid, Milan, Rome and Vienna. In the U.S. market, the same strategy saw the St. Regis Philadelphia become a Westin last month. To avoid confusion among travel buyers, Starwood pointed out that St. Regis remains Starwood's five-star brand with Westin positioned as four star.
<B><A NAME="5">Genisys Links With Worldspan</B>
Genisys Systems, the ground transportation reservations system that offers corporations an automated link to the providers of their choice through Sabre or Apollo, now is live with Worldspan as well. The new link between Genisys and Worldspan enables travel agents to obtain instant confirmation of sedan or limo bookings through Worldspan.