THE Dollar and Thrifty car rental brands have become major players in the UK daily rental industry following a takeover, its new bosses claim.

Flightform, the brands’ master franchise holder, was bought by independent rental company Scot Group for an undisclosed sum this weekend.

Exeter-based Scot Group, which started with just one site 30 years ago and grew the business to 29 across the south of England and East Anglia, is a former Hertz franchisee.

Bosses say the deal has catapulted Dollar Thrifty UK to a ‘major player’ in the UK rental industry, with a fleet of 16,000 vehicles.

As a result of the move, the Dollar Thrifty network has increased from 70 locations to 90 – comprising 38 corporate and 52 franchised sites.

It has also bought nine Dollar Thrifty franchised location as part of the takeover. Andrew Burton, managing director of Flightform, said: ‘This deal really puts us in a different league in terms of what we can offer fleets.

‘Our fleet size has effectively doubled to 16,000 vehicles and that makes us a major player in the UK rental industry.’

Burton will now work with Roger Hancock of Scot Group, who becomes managing director of Dollar Thrifty UK.

Nigel Spokes, owner and current chief executive of the Scot Group, said: ‘The two businesses are an excellent fit and we will continue to grow the enlarged business.

‘For example, we have a new site opening in Birmingham soon and we will be looking at other areas where we can expand.

‘Although we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial franchise relationship with Hertz over the years, the time was right for us to grow further and the acquisition of Dollar Thrifty is the perfect move for us.’

The current board of directors of Thrifty will stay on to work with the Scot Group and will now report to the new managing director.