PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Cendant Car Rental Group, which owns Avis and Budget, has named Ray Koch vice president of off-airport development. Koch will lead Cendant Car Rental Group's efforts to expand its U.S. local market network by more than 500 locations in the next three years and to serve the insurance replacement segment.

Koch brings more than 30 years of industry experience as a station, fleet, city and district manager. Most recently, Koch was regional manager for the Washington/Baltimore operations at Cendant Car Rental Group. He will be based in Parsippany.

In addition, Vance Watson has been named vice president of off-airport expansion. Watson, former vice president of off-airport and licensee operations for Budget, has more than 18 years of car rental experience. Watson joined Cendant Car Rental Group when the company acquired Budget in 2002.

"We are committed to expanding our presence in the local market," said Michael Collins, executive vice president of operations for Cendant Car Rental Group. "Together, Koch and Watson have nearly a half century of experience and industry knowledge, which makes them ideal leaders to drive this initiative."

Cendant Car Rental Group now has nearly 1,300 off-airport locations in the United States. Avis operates more than 730, while Budget has nearly 550.