Hertz Buys Dollar Thrifty

Hertz and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group have signed a definitive agreement providing for Hertz to acquire Dollar Thrifty for a purchase price of $41 per share, in a mix of cash and Hertz common stock, based on Friday’s closing stock price.

Mark P. Frissora, Hertz’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Combining Hertz and Dollar Thrifty is an excellent strategic fit. Dollar Thrifty is a $1.6 billion business with more than 1,550 corporate and franchise rental locations worldwide which, when combined with our global network, will serve rental customers on six continents from approximately 9,800 locations. Together we will be able to compete even more effectively and efficiently against other multi-brand car rental companies, offering customers a full range of rental options in the U.S. between the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Advantage brands. Dollar Thrifty also has a strong international presence, complementing our global footprint, which enables us to utilize a recognized brand to accelerate our leisure rental strategy in Europe and other markets. Financially, we believe the deal is attractive, accretive to earnings and structured to maintain Hertz’s strong credit profile. We’ve identified at least $180 million of synergies already, primarily in fleet, IT systems and procurement, enabling our companies to operate at an even lower cost.”

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the $41 per share purchase price is comprised of 80% cash consideration and 20% stock consideration. The cash portion will be paid in two components; (1) a $200 million special cash dividend representing approximately $6.88 per share, to be paid by Dollar Thrifty immediately prior to the transaction closing and (2) $25.92 per share to be paid by Hertz at the closing. The stock is at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.6366 per share, based upon a Hertz common stock closing price of $12.88 per share on April 23, 2010. The $41.00 per share purchase price represents approximately a 19% premium to the 30-day average closing price of Dollar Thrifty’s common stock.

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