Dollar Thrifty Strikes Deal With Ford Motor Company

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group made a deal with the Ford Motor Company that will have Dollar Thrifty purchasing fleet vehicles from the automotive giant at least until 2012. The Dollar Thrifty group is looking to add a more diversified fleet, giving potential renters more of a choice. Beginning in 2009, customers will be able to choose from larger, longer wheel based vehicles such as extended vans and the like, as well as the cars that you would normally see in a fleet.

The big three automotive manufacturers in the United States have cut back on the amount of vehicles that they will sell to the rental car industry. Rental companies such as Thrifty, Dollar, Avis and Hertz are not purchasing as many vehicles, but instead extending the time of service on their fleet vehicles. The aim of the cuts and longer fleet service is to try to trim cost all around the board, due largely in part to the struggling economy. Thrifty Dollar Auto Group says the will still honor their commitment with Chrysler, an agreement that states the rental car group must purchase at least 75 percent of the vehicles from automotive manufacturer, and agreement that is good through the 2011 model year.