Vehicle Remarketing Logo

Hertz Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Dollar Thrifty

PARK RIDGE, NJ – Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced they signed a definitive agreement providing for Hertz to acquire Dollar Thrifty.

by Staff
April 30, 2010
3 min to read


PARK RIDGE, NJ – Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced they 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. When completed, Hertz anticipates that the transaction will be immediately accretive to annual adjusted earnings per share.

Mark P. Frissora, Hertz's chairman and CEO, 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," he added.

Ad Loading...

Scott L. Thompson, Dollar Thrifty's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The combination of Dollar Thrifty with a larger company like Hertz will provide Dollar Thrifty with greater resources and the technology needed to expand our value focused leisure brands. We see the combination of our brands with Hertz's brands as very compelling."

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the $41 per share purchase price is comprised of 80-percent cash consideration and 20-percent 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.


  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 per share purchase price represents approximately a 19-percent premium to the 30-day average closing price of Dollar Thrifty's common stock.


At the closing, Hertz will issue an aggregate of approximately 18 million shares of its common stock (excluding shares issuable upon the exercise of options that are being converted to Hertz options) and pay an aggregate of approximately $750 million in cash (excluding the special $200 million Dollar Thrifty dividend). Hertz intends to fund the cash portion of the purchase price with existing liquidity from the combined company. Hertz will also assume or refinance Dollar Thrifty's existing fleet debt, outstanding at closing. Upon the close of the transaction, Dollar Thrifty stockholders will own approximately 5.5 percent of the combined company on a diluted basis. Dollar Thrifty will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hertz and Dollar Thrifty common stock will cease trading on the NYSE.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals, approval by Dollar Thrifty stockholders and payment of the special dividend. The transaction is not conditioned on receipt of financing by Hertz.

Ad Loading...

Barclays Capital acted as lead financial advisor to Hertz and Bank of America Merrill Lynch also provided advice. Hertz also worked with the law firms Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Jones Day. Dollar Thrifty was advised by J.P.Morgan and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.

Topics:Operations

More Operations

Blue bar graphs showing changes in wholesale used vehicle prices based on vehicle segments.
Auctionsby News/Media ReleaseJuly 9, 2026

Manheim Index Shows Used-Vehicle Wholesale Prices Up 2.1% in June

The market is seeing stronger appreciation in older used vehicles this year, and the most affordable segments have been among the year’s best performers.

Read More →
Green and black bar graphs showing 2026 versus 2025 fleet sales.
Fleetby Martin RomjueJuly 8, 2026

Commercial Fleet Sales Contribute To June, YTD Gains

The fleet sector has boosted its vehicle purchases at a reliable pace in the first half of this year compared with 1H 2025.

Read More →
A close up of the right front of a red Tesla in front of a blurred cityscape background.
OperationsJuly 1, 2026

Stop Remarketing Electric Vehicles Like Gas Cars

The advantages and attributes of electric vehicles are upending the traditional remarketing cycle, requiring fleet sellers to rely on new factors and approaches detailed below.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vertical dark blue graphs showing new and used EV sales
Fleetby News/Media ReleaseJune 16, 2026

Used EVs Strengthen Overall Electric Vehicle Market

The latest sales data point to several reasons for the divergent trends in new and used EVs that can factor into fleet cycling decisions.

Read More →
A double-decker stinger car hauler carries a full load of new white vehicles along an interstate highway.
FleetJune 1, 2026

The Data-Driven Haul: 5 Ways AI is Leveling the Playing Field in Auto Transport

Large and small transport fleets are becoming more competitive as predictive analytics and real-time data inform the logistics decision chain.

Read More →
Two trucking industry workers talk in front of semi-trucks beside text reading, “The issue isn’t lack of safety technology — it’s lack of alignment.”
FleetMay 12, 2026

How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety

Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Image of three award winners at 2026 CAR
Operationsby Faith HowellMay 6, 2026

2026 CAR Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence

CAR’s annual Fleet Remarketing Awards opened a reimagined 2026 conference designed to bridge the worlds of fleet management and automotive remarketing.

Read More →
A manual, traditional logistics dispatch center versus a futuristic AI-driven illustrative diagram of a future logistics operation.
OperationsMay 1, 2026

The Predictive Pivot: How AI and Data Are Redefining Auto Logistics in 2026

AI is no longer a luxury but the baseline for profitability in 2026. Auto haulers that adopt these tools now will quickly outpace those using manual workflows and taking a wait-and-see approach.

Read More →
collage of conference speakers
Operationsby Chris BrownApril 30, 2026

CAR 2026 Recap Part 2: Closing the Gap Between Data & Remarketing Value

The second half of CAR 2026 examined how fleets can translate lifecycle strategy, vehicle data, and market shifts into higher real-world results.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage of CAR speakers
Used Vehicle Valuesby Chris BrownApril 27, 2026

CAR2026 in Two Words: Velocity, Value (Part 1)

The 2026 Conference of Automotive Remarketing convened with a mandate to involve a new constituency — fleet managers — and an updated mission to demonstrate unrealized value in de-fleeted vehicles.

Read More →