A SOUTH African-based company has bought eight Europcar franchises in the south of England to launch its popular daily rental formula into the UK. Imperial Holdings of South Africa made its second foreign acquisition within months with the deal having also acquired Pacific Car Rental in Australia with the same long-term goal.

Carolyn Wall, formerly franchise manager of Europcar in the UK, has been appointed managing director. She said: 'We believe we can be successful in applying our modus operandi in the UK. We think the high service standards we apply will make a big impression and win us market share.'

In the past four years in South Africa alone, Europcar has grown its turnover by 280%. The new franchise locations are in Reading, Basingstoke, Croydon, Woking, Portsmouth, Southampton, New Malden and Bournemouth. The operation has about 700 vehicles.