ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - Mar 6, 2012) - National Car Rental, the premier car rental brand for business travel, now exclusively offers the 2012 Toyota Avalon sedan to Executive and Executive Elite members of the award-winning Emerald Club. The 5,000 Toyota Avalons are available for rent at 25 National airport locations through August 2012. The innovative program reinforces National's commitment to provide premium vehicles to frequent business travelers.

Emerald Club -- the car rental industry's first comprehensive frequent-renter program -- expedites the rental process by offering counter bypass as well as Drop & Go(SM)service with convenient e-receipts. The Emerald Club program also provides electronic "Arrival Alerts" and access to National's "Emerald Aisle," an exclusive section of the lot where members can select any vehicle as long as they reserve a mid-size car. Today, National has expanded to 63 Emerald Aisle locations in the United States and Canada, including the top 50 airports for business travel. The Avalons will be featured at the top 25 Emerald Aisle airport locations in the U.S. to provide the greatest access to Executive and Executive Elite members.

Each vehicle features a QR code decal as part of the OnRamp renter engagement campaign. Scanning the QR code with a smartphone launches a mobile-optimized site where customers can learn more about the Toyota Avalon, find a local dealer if they are interested in purchasing a similar car, and more. The QR codes are placed on key tags as well as on the driver side window of all vehicles, making vehicle information accessible to more than just the occupants.

"Exclusive car rental rights to a premium vehicle is a unique value-added offering that National is bringing to its customers," said Rob Connors, assistant vice president of marketing for National Car Rental. "Emerald Club members benefit from the exclusive access to a great driving experience, while our manufacturing partners benefit from exposure to an audience predisposed to a premium vehicle."

"Emerald Club members are a natural fit for the Toyota Avalon," said Thom Gollands, Fleet Rental Sales and Remarketing Manager for Toyota. "We believe this program will build awareness of the Avalon, increase purchase consideration, and, ultimately, impact retail sales."

About National Car Rental

Founded in 1947, National Car Rental is a premium, internationally recognized brand serving the daily rental needs of the frequent airport traveler throughout the world. With National, time-sensitive customers in the United States are able to quickly choose their own vehicles, based upon their advance reservation and requested car class, and then simply drive away from the airport. In 2011, Executive Travel magazine recognized National as the top rental car service in the travel industry, honoring the brand with its "Leading Edge Awards." In addition, the SmarterTravel Editors Choice Award went to Emerald Club in 2010 and 2011 as the "Best Rental Car Loyalty Program." Emerald Club also was awarded a 2010 Business Traveler Innovation Award -- sponsored by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and The Wall Street Journal -- for expediting the travel process and enhancing convenience and efficiency.

St. Louis-based Enterprise Holdings owns and operates the National Car Rental brand in North America. With annual revenues of $14.1 billion and more than 70,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings also operates, through its regional subsidiaries, more than 1 million cars and trucks, making it the largest and most comprehensive car rental service provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet. National also is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world's largest car rental network. For more information about National, visit www.nationalcar.com or www.facebook.com/NationalCarRental. This news release and other National Car Rental announcements are available at the Enterprise Holdings press room.