"Americans have a long-running love affair with the automobile and the openroad, and for more than 50 years Enterprise has been helping them discoverAmerica safely and economically," said Steve Short, vice president ofleisure business development for Enterprise. "Families are using the longIndependence Day weekend to take old-fashioned 'short burst' vacations tobeaches, state and national parks, amusement parks and metropolitan areas.

"In other words, people are discovering the multitude of attractions thatare within a day's drive from where they live," Short added. "And byrenting a car, they can get the cargo room they need for luggage andsouvenirs and avoid putting extra miles on their own vehicles."

The recent price at the pump -- $2.68, according to AAA -- is 34 percentlower than at the same time last year and one reason road travel is moreattractive this year. Gas prices hit a national average high of $4.11 agallon last July, causing drivers to seek more fuel-efficient vehicles.Enterprise operates 7,000 neighborhood and airport locations worldwide,with the largest number of fuel-efficient vehicles: 448,000 that average ahighway fuel efficiency of at least 28 mpg and more than 229,000 thataverage 32 mpg or better. The company also operates nearly 100 hybridbranches.

In addition to escalating gas prices driving a trend toward greater fuelefficiency, the general economic downturn led to an increase in the averageage of cars on the road.

"Today's economy is forcing consumers to hold onto their cars longer thanusual," Short said. "A rental car makes sense for families for any numberof reasons. They can avoid putting extra miles on their own car, make useof a larger vehicle with extra cargo room, take advantage of a morefuel-efficient car, or just enjoy a newer and more reliable one."

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is aninternationally recognized brand with the largest fleet of passengervehicles in the world today, more than 700,000 cars and trucks. Enterprisealso operates a network of 7,000 neighborhood and airport rental locationsin the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany. Enterprise ofNorth America is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar,creating the world's largest car rental network.

As North America's largest car rental company, Enterprise is known for itsexceptionally low rates, neighborhood convenience and its outstandingservice, including picking up local customers at no extra cost. Ranked No.18 on the Forbes Top 500 Private Companies in America, Enterprise hasbranch offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S.population. In addition, Enterprise has ranked highest in customersatisfaction among airport rentals in nine out of the past ten years,according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. Formore information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.

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