Hertz Corp. plans to launch a luxury car rental program in June, offering such vehicles as Jaguars, Land Rovers, Lincolns and Volvos. The program, known as the Hertz Prestige Collection, will initially launch in 20 markets in the United States and Canada. Hertz plans to expand the program to 19 more North American markets by the end of 2003 and to several select European and Australian cities in 2002.

The Hertz Prestige Collection combines several makes and models from Premier Automotive Group, an enterprise of Ford Motor Company.

"Hertz Prestige Collection supplements our core car rental business with a new niche market for luxury vehicles and first-class service," said Brian J. Kennedy, Hertz's executive vice president for marketing and sales.

The program will offer customers free pick-up and return from suburban hotels and resorts within a 15-mile radius of Hertz Prestige Collection locations. In addition, all vehicles will feature the NeverLost on-board navigational system.