Markets Wired

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a slightly modified version of a settlement requiring Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. to sell a number of assets in conjunction with its $2.3 billion acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Under the settlement with the FTC, Hertz agreed to sell its Advantage Rent A Car business to Financial Services of North America (FSNA), along with the rights to 29 of Dollar Thrifty’s airport-based rental locations around the country, creating an independent rental car company with 72 locations.  Sixteen of the Dollar Thrifty locations were divested to FSNA shortly after the deal was completed, and most of the rest have been transferred in recent months, including the location at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). 

The modified final order approved by the Commission adjusts some of the dates by which Hertz must transfer certain airport rental locations to the acquirer, clarifies some details regarding the possible resale of the divested assets by the acquirer and notification of key staffing changes.  In addition, the modified order requires the divestiture of the Dollar Thrifty location at DCA, rather than the Advantage desk as originally contemplated.

The Commission vote approving the modified final order was 3-0-1, with Commissioner Joshua D. Wright not participating.  Letters from members of the public who commented on it can be found on the FTC’s website.  (FTC File No. 121-0120; the staff contacts are Michael R Moiseyev, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-3106, and Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526.)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action.  To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001.  To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.