NEW ORLEANS -- Vanguard Car Rental USA, which operates the National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands, this week began offering customers a portable GPS navigation system from Motorola.

Based on Motorola's VIAMOTO technology, Vanguard's Navigation Station provides spoken turn-by-turn directions and point-of-interest information such as hotel and restaurant locations.

"With the deployment of Navigation Station, we are able to offer our customers an improved, stress-free travel experience," said Jeff Parell, chief operating officer of Vanguard. "Whether renting a car for business or leisure, customers will enjoy an innovative, easy-to-use navigational service."

Navigation Station is now available at various National and Alamo locations in major markets, including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., for an additional $9.99 per day. Within the next four months, the system will be available in more than 50 cities nationwide, Vanguard said.