Hertz Seeks Antitrust Approval for Dollar Thrifty Acquisition
The car rental company said it plans to file this week for a Federal Trade Commission antitrust review of its proposed purchase of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. Hertz also made a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday that outlined its views on the advantages of combining with Dollar Thrifty.
Hertz Global Holdings Inc. said Friday that it and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. both filed this week for a Federal Trade Commission antitrust review of its proposed purchase of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc.
Hertz said in a conference call April 26, the day the acquisition agreement was announced, that the filing would be in mid-May.
"We look forward to obtaining regulatory clearance of the transaction," said Hertz CEO Mark Frissora. "The Dollar and Thrifty value brands complement our premium Hertz brand, and the acquisition will allow us to reach a new and substantial segment of leisure travelers renting at U.S. airports. In addition, the acquisition will enable significant synergies to make Dollar and Thrifty stronger competitors in this market segment, which is dominated primarily by Enterprise/Alamo/National and Avis Budget, both companies having higher U.S. airport market shares than Hertz."
Hertz faces a possible bidding war with Avis Budget Group Inc., which said it plans a "substantially higher offer" for Dollar Thrifty.
Hertz said it expects its acquisition to face fewer antitrust hurdles than Avis Budget, which operates Budget Rent A Car, a direct competitor of Dollar Thrifty. "Budget and Dollar Thrifty target the same price-conscious consumers, and Hertz does not have a significant presence in that space today," added Frissora.
Avis said in a May 3 statement that the antitrust approval prospects for it acquiring Dollar Thrifty are "comparable" to Hertz.
Hertz made a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday that outlined its views on the advantages of combining with Dollar Thrifty.
Hertz elaborated on the $180 million synergies in fleet sharing, information technology and other departments that it expected to achieve as a single public company.
Hertz also said a possible Avis-Dollar Thrifty deal would incur approximately $50 million in breakup fees and expenses and would face challenges in gaining antitrust approval.
More Legal & Legislative

Government Affairs Executive Wins Leading Rental Car Industry Award
Robert Muhs started in the car rental industry with Avis Budget Group two years before the first International Car Rental Show.
Read More →
Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage
Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.
Read More →
Bandit Towing A Tough Road For Car Rental Companies
Operators often must spend far too much time and resources trying to recoup rental cars towed away and held hostage to outrageously high fees.
Read More →
Bandit Towing A Tough Road For Car Rental Companies
Operators often must spend far too much time and resources trying to recoup rental cars towed away and held hostage to outrageously high fees.
Read More →
ACRA: Spurring Car Rental Industry Success
The American Car Rental Association scored more access and influence in 2025 as it grows its services for car rental operators.
Read More →
AVOA Partners with AALA and NLC
The American Vehicle Owners Alliance (AVOA) recently announced its partnership with the American Automotive Leasing Association (AALA) and the National League of Cities (NLC).
Read More →
ACRA Takes Bold Strides On Capitol Hill
The American Car Rental Association’s annual legislative and lobbying event upped the face time with and access to members of Congress.
Read More →
Rental Car Leader Engages With Primary Industry Causes
Q&A Interview: Federal contracting, EV charging infrastructure, stolen vehicles, and policy advocacy drive an agenda for Carlos Bazan-Canabal that stretches beyond his car rental executive post.
Read More →
Get Ready: ICRS 2026 Open for Business and Call for Papers
The 30th anniversary International Car Rental Show heads to the Dallas area as it celebrates a legacy and pivots toward an industry marketplace and forum suited to the fourth decade ahead.
Read More →
Inside The Fight To Catch Rental Car Thieves
Recovering stolen rental vehicles requires foresight, cooperation, and a firm grasp of legal procedures with car renters.
Read More →
