Avis, Budget brands to unite worldwide in $1B deal


DETROIT (AP) - Car rental company Avis Budget Group Inc. said last Tuesday it will take over Avis Europe in a $1 billion deal, raising the possibility that Avis Budget may back away from a bidding war for U.S. rival Dollar Thrifty.

The move reunites Avis Europe, which separated from Avis in the 1980s, combines the Avis and Budget brands worldwide, and creates what the company said is the largest publicly traded rental car business in the world.

Avis Budget has been in a tug-of-war for more than a year with rival Hertz to buy Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc., and the European acquisition is an indication that Avis Budget is moving away from the pursuit.

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