TULSA, Okla. -- Thrifty Car Rental has named Thrifty (Australia) Pty. Ltd. as its 2001 International Team Owner of the Year from among its 62 franchise owners around the world. Thrifty (Australia) Pty. Ltd., led by Managing Director John Walker, has been the Thrifty master licensee in Australia for 12 years, representing 224 locations.

Every year, this honor is given to a single Thrifty Car Rental franchise owner outside of the U.S. and Canada. The honor recognizes outstanding image and standards, as well as an increase in growth and customer service excellence.

Additionally, Thrifty also recognizes four regional winners who represent the best practices in their respective regions.

"I am extremely proud of Thrifty Australia and our four regional winners for the exceptional lengths they have gone to in representing Thrifty Car Rental as a world-class international brand," said Bob Erickson, vice president of international team owner operations for Thrifty. "Their efforts ensure that Thrifty customers receive the same level of service and brand consistency around the world as they would in the U.S. or Canada."

Thrifty Car Rental recognized these four regional winners for outstanding performance and brand excellence in these regions: -- Asia Pacific region: Rental Cars National Limited of New Zealand, led by franchisee John Morrison. Rental Cars National Limited has been the Thrifty Car Rental licensee in New Zealand for three years.

-- European region: Flightform Ltd. of the United Kingdom, led by Andrew and Robert Burton. Flightform has been the Thrifty Car Rental master licensee in the U.K. for 11 years.

-- Caribbean, Mexico and Latin American region: Best Rate Car and Truck Rental of Puerto Rico, represented by Dr. Nixon Perez. Best Rate Car and Truck Rental has been a Thrifty Car Rental licensee in Puerto Rico for six years.

-- Middle East, Near East and North African region: National Rent-A-Car of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Led by Abdullah Ahmad Al-Moosa, National Rent-A-Car has been a Thrifty Car Rental licensee in the U.A.E. for 13 years.

All winners will receive special recognition at the Thrifty Worldwide Convention in Orlando, Fla., this year, as well as complementary hotel accommodations at the Walt Disney World Swan hotel at Epcot. The international winner, Thrifty (Australia) Pty. Ltd., will also receive complementary round-trip air transportation to the convention.