Press releases

Europcar, recently voted "Europe's Leading Car Hire" company for the second time at the 2005 World Travel Awards, has opened 13 new stations in Finland in part of a network expansion following the purchase and merger of Europcar by High Point Oy (Pohjan Autovuokraamo Oy) in late 2005.

Rental stations are initially being opened in Espoo, Imatra, Kajaani, Kotka, Kouvola, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Oulu and Rovaniemi and with an ongoing focus on establishing Europcar as the market leader nationwide and particulary in Eastern and Nothern Finland.

Europcar International Franchisee Director, Mr. Laurent Cossé, commented on the developments stating "The successful start to merging the operations demonstrates Europcar's commitment of ensuring  the best in customer service and network quality. National and international clients will gain significant benefits in terms of service as operating synergies are implemented and network efficiencies established."

"In the year 2006 we will carry out a further strenghening of Europcar's leading position in Finland - in the number of rental locations, as well as in the number and wide selection of rental vehicles. It is an important goal for us to bring our stations close to our customers and to provide them with a fleet which is especially well suited for the Finnish driving conditions. In the winter season, more than 20% of Europcar's rental fleet is equipped with four-wheel-drive, a feature which adds greatly to the safety and driving pleasure of our customers. Finland's first Ready Service station will be opened on February 1st, 2006, at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, with definite plans to extend the service during this year, to cover all the most important airports in Finland", says Mr Jussi Holopainen, Managing Director of Europcar Finland.

Customers can reserve Europcar and have further information on Europcar services by visiting http://www.europcar.com/ or http://www.europcar.fi/ 

About Europcar:
Europcar, the leading European car rental company, is represented in 143 countries with more than 2,825 rental stations and operates a fleet of over 200,000 vehicles throughout Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Latin America & the Caribbean. Europcar is one of Finland's leading car rental companies, with a fleet of 1300 vehicles and a network of 56 stations. Further information is available under http://www.europcar.com, at travel agency, or throughout any Europcar call center.

For more information:
Tom Paterson
Franchise Communication Manager
Europcar International
Tel: +33 130 44 92 35
Fax: +33 130 44 92 35
PatersonT@mail.europcar.com