EUROPCAR has completed its take over of Vanguard’s European businesses (EMEA), following approval from competition authorities in the UK, Spain and Germany.

Vanguard EMEA businesses will continue to be managed as a separate network.

John Leigh, formerly Senior Vice President of Vanguard Rental UK, has been appointed to lead both Europcar UK and Vanguard Rental UK, the operator of the National Car Rental, Alamo Rent A Car and Guy Salmon brands in EMEA. He heads the senior executive management structures of both companies which remain as they were prior to completion of the acquisition.

The Europcar and Vanguard UK operation represents a fleet of more than 55,000 vehicles.

Mr Leigh said: ‘Both organisations have enormous synergies in terms of their heritage, their strong service ethic and the quality and commitment of their people. However, it is very much ‘business as usual’, with the brands continuing to operate and compete with one another in the marketplace.’

Europcar has also entered an alliance with Vanguard Car Rental Holdings LLC to provide a global car rental, especially in North America. Under the alliance, National, Alamo and Europcar will be operating in over 150 countries with access to nearly 6,000 locations and a fleet of over 500,000 vehicles.