Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announces major Saudi Arabia franchise agreement

Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 06 -- - Deal makes Thrifty-Branded fleet the largest in the Middle East

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. today announced that Shary Rent-A-Car has become a master franchisee for the Thrifty Car Rental brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership makes the Thrifty-branded fleet the Middle East market leader with more than 13,000 vehicles.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020412/DTGLOGO )

Shary, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, owns more than 8,000 vehicles in 17 locations and employs approximately 500.

Peter Guptill, DTG executive vice president - international, said, "The addition of Thrifty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completes the hub around which the rest of our Middle Eastern franchises can continue to grow, and is another step in DTG's strategy of expanding its presence in other parts of the world."

Thrifty also has Middle-Eastern franchises in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Ali Al Madi, Shary deputy general manager, said, "We see Thrifty as a partner who will help us internationalize our growth and help us serve our customers wherever they go through the Thrifty network. Thrifty customers, as well, will have the chance to experience our first class service. We are delighted about our mutual future."

Shary, in operation since 1979, holds the number one trade license for car rental businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company, is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has approximately 7,000 worldwide employees. Focused on being the low-cost provider in the car rental industry, the company's brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value- conscious leisure travelers in more than 70 countries. With operations at most major airports, Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 800 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada. Additional information can be found by visiting http://www.dtag.com/.

Terri Snow, Executive Director - Corporate Communications of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., +1-918-669-2743, or tsnow@dtag.com / First Call Analyst: / FCMN Contact: tsnow@dtag.com / Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020412/DTGLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com