THRIFTY Car Rental UK has launched a new operation in France as part of its European expansion. Thrifty Car Rental France, which includes the French West Indies, has already opened three branches for business in Paris with two further opening in the French capital during the next two months.

By the end of this year Thrifty plans to have eight sites in operation, covering all of Paris and the airports at Roissy and Orly. The aim is to have 50 franchised branches throughout France and the French West Indies within five years, with the first locations due to open in Bordeaux, Aix en Provence, Marseilles, Lyon, Guadeloupe and Martinique during the next six months.

Robert Burton, Thrifty Car Rental UK's managing director, said: 'We are delighted to be involved in this new venture. Thrifty in the UK has gone from strength to strength and we are well on the way to reaching our target of 100 UK locations. Under this tried and tested formula, the plan is to try to emulate the UK operation in France.'