EASTERN Europe is the target of Hertz Leasing International as it expands its pan-European and global leasing operation. This week the company announced new franchises in Hungary, Poland and Moscow as well as in Malta from where a range of contract hire and leasing options to meet in-country, European and global requirements will be offered.

The expansion into Eastern Europe was prompted by the rapid commercial development of those countries and the recognition that they were becoming a major business focus for many of Hertz Leasing International's existing customers as well as those companies with which it is holding discussions.

Hertz Leasing International now operates in 24 countries and the organisation's latest moves come just a week after a GE Capital Fleet Services and Lease Plan, which claim to be the two leaders of pan-European and global leasing, said international expansion was no longer a pipedream (Fleet News October 18).