EXPRESS delivery and logistics company TNT is exploring the possibility of a global car hire arrangement after signing a $7 million dollar a year (€6.5 million) contract with National Car Rental in the UK.

National has now become TNT's primary supplier in the UK, having previously shared the account with Kenning Car & Van Rental (now owned by Sixt).

TNT is also investigating the possibility of an international arrangement with National and Budget Car & Van Rental, according to Simon Boggis, TNT Group fleet procurement manager.

'We operate in more than 200 countries, and our international travellers need to hire cars wherever they go,' he said.

A global arrangement would seek to overcome the discrepancies in rental tariffs that can occur today at the same rental station, depending on where the reservation was made, added Boggis.

'We will not tell our local companies to stop what they are doing, but we will allow National and Budget to position themselves against the local incumbent supplier,' he said.

He added that National's 'web-based reservations systems will give us more control over the rental business and eliminate phone calls, saving time and money. 'This partnership with National Car Rental offers us global opportunities and holds great potential for the future,' said Boggis.

Kathy Johnson, National's senior international account director, said: 'The introduction of a global car rental programme is a natural progression for both companies that will be implemented and developed over the coming months.' (August 2000)