DAILY rental company National Car Rental is claiming an industry first in Germany with a new electronic billing system.

Developed in the UK, it is designed to make the rental process easier for business travellers.

It claims to be the first car rental company to introduce electronic billing with qualified electronic signatures throughout its operations in Germany, as part of its ongoing investment in the region.

It means customers can receive their car rental invoice by email no later than one day after returning their car.

German legislation means the invoices have to carry an e-signature to guarantee their security and authenticity.

Tim Bailey, general manager of National Car Rental in Germany said: 'National Car Rental places customer service as the top priority in the entire car rental process. This not only applies to swift and convenient car reservation and rental procedures, but also includes prompt and transparent invoicing.

'Germany is an extremely important rental market and this is reflected through our ongoing investment in the business. Over the past year we have increased our branch network from 20 to 40 locations with the plan to have 100 locations open by 2005, ensuring business customers can book a National vehicle all over Germany. We have also increased the size of our fleet to more than 4,000 vehicles.'

'The introduction of e-billing is an extension of this investment and means National in Germany will be able to offer domestic and visiting business travellers an even more efficient, stress-free rental solution, reflecting the service already available in the UK and under development in other European markets.'