FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- ANC Rental Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November, has decided to merge its sales force for both of the company's brands -- National and Alamo. The move is one of the key components of ANC's restructuring plan, the company said.

William Plamondon, ANC's chief restructuring officer, called the decision "a move that allows corporate customers greater flexibility while simultaneously streamlining internal operations."

Other initiatives are also being tested and are scheduled for rollout in the next month, the company said.

Locations will remain open for business throughout the restructuring process, which is designed to be seamless to Alamo and National customers, said Larry Ramaekers, ANC president and chief operating officer.

ANC's voluntary Chapter 11 filing excludes its international and Canadian operations.

The March/April issue of Auto Rental News will feature an interview with Ramaekers.