DAILY rental giant Europcar has entered into negotiations with LeasePlan Corporation to acquire its Belgian-based short-term car rental operation, Keddy.

Details of the talks come with the announcement that investment company Eurazeo has now completed its acquisition of Europcar from Volkswagen, as first announced in March this year. Last year, Keddy had a turnover of about €25 million with a fleet of 3,100 vehicles and a network of eight branches in Belgium.

Xavier Marin, non-executive chairman of Europcar Group and a member of the Eurazeo executive board, said: ‘The announcement that Europcar is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Keddy underlines the strategic involvement of Eurazeo as its new owner, to pursue a growth strategy, both by organic means and through acquisitions.’

And Europcar Group managing director Salvatore Catania said: ‘This transaction makes Europcar the recognised leader on the Belgian market and confirms its development strategy with the objective to be the number one short term vehicle rental operator in each of its markets.’