SPECULATION is rife that EuroDollar is planning to change its name to National Car Rental, following its acquisition by Republic Industries. Republic already owns both Alamo Rent A Car, well represented in the UK, and US-based National Car Rental which has marketing links in Europe through Europcar Interrent.

National's contract with Europcar comes up for renewal at the end of February 1998, fuelling rumours that National will instead link up with EuroDollar. EuroDollar has already made clear its dissatisfaction with the way its own relationship with US based Dollar Rent A Car is working, and it is virtually inconceivable that EuroDollar could maintain in the long term its relationship with Dollar - given its ownership by one of Dollar's key rivals - so the perpetuation of the EuroDollar name seems unlikely.

Both EuroDollar and National are particularly strong in the corporate sectors of their respective markets, a further reason for EuroDollar's adoption of the National brand. With months left to run on existing contracts all parties are remaining tight-lipped, but Republic's acquisition of EuroDollar is progressing apace.