Dollar and Thrifty car rental brands, part of The Hertz Corp., have opened 29 branches across Italy, replacing existing locations operated by a former licensee.

The new airport and downtown branches have opened in Italy's major cities including Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples, says the company.

"The launch of 29 Dollar and Thrifty corporate locations in Italy is part of our international growth strategy across the main destinations in Europe,” said Tom Kelley, vice president, Dollar Thrifty International. “So far, we have approximately 420 Dollar and Thrifty dual-branded branches on the continent to better cater to our customers' mobility needs. By operating in strategic locations across Italy, we are able to serve the many car rental customers who seek out convenience, great value and the trust of a global brand."

"This investment is a key initiative to ensure the success of our growth plan in Italy, one of the top destinations in Europe,” said Massimiliano Archiapatti, general manager, Hertz Italy. “By managing all Dollar and Thrifty locations in the country, we are taking an important step towards offering our customers a more customized and varied service. This move also enables us to better adapt to the continuously evolving car rental market."

Dollar and Thrifty's European expansion started in February 2013, when the brands announced openings in Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands and Spain.

Earlier this year, Dollar and Thrifty launched 116 new branches in major German destinations, according to Hertz. Currently, the car rental brands are also operating in Austria, Greece, the Balearic Islands, Portugal and Switzerland.