JACKSON, Miss. -- U-Save Auto Rental of America has acquired Xpress Rent A Car, an association of more than 300 independent car rental companies. Headquartered in Bloomington, Ind., Xpress provides training, master insurance policies and other support programs to its members.

Bob Holt, president of Xpress, founded the association in 1995. Holt was previously an executive with Ugly Duckling Rent A Car.

U-Save has opted to keep Holt involved in Xpress, hiring him to provide sales, marketing and consulting services.

X-Press is similar to ARRC (Auto Rental Resource Center), which U-Save previously acquired. Member companies typically have fewer than 50 cars. Many are body shops, repair garages and car dealerships with rental operations.

"We are excited about the opportunities that the ARRC/Xpress deal offers," said Robby Gathings, president of U-Save. "There are synergies that will benefit members of both groups, and together, we are now the largest association of independent car rental companies in the United States."