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Budget Signs Agreement With Associates First Capital Unit

3 May 1999

Budget Signs Agreement With Associates First Capital Unit for Customer Roadside Service Program

    LISLE, Ill., May 3 -- Budget Rent a Car Corporation, the
world's third largest car and truck rental system and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Budget Group, Inc. , today announced an agreement with
United States Auto Club, Motoring Division (USAC/MD), a subsidiary of
Associates First Capital Corporation , to provide Roadside Care to
Budget car rental customers throughout the United States.
    "Our agreement with United States Auto Club, Motoring Division to handle
our Roadside Care program will enable us to offer our customers more
efficient, expeditious and consistent roadside service at most Budget
locations throughout the U.S.," according to Jim Sweeney, vice president,
Fleet for Budget Rent a Car Corporation.  "Roadside Care, coupled with other
recent initiatives like Fastbreak, Budget's express service with paperless
transactions, are programs designed to improve the overall rental process as
well as customer satisfaction."
    "Budget is the first major car rental company in the industry to outsource
its roadside service program," said John Hunter, president of the USAC/MD.
"The agreement gives Budget rental car customers access to USAC/MD's award-
winning network of call centers, with more than 10,000 contracted vendors and
over 50,000 tow trucks."
    "We provide auto club services and 24-hour emergency roadside assistance
programs directly to consumers or through agreements with numerous major
corporations in the automotive, gasoline and travel industries," added Hunter.
    Founded in 1968, USAC/MD and its affiliates serve more than 12 million
households and responds to over 1.8 million roadside service calls per year.
In addition to roadside service, USAC/MD offers custom trip routing and
discounts on lodging and car rentals.
    Established in 1918, The Associates is a leading diversified finance
company providing consumer and commercial finance, leasing, insurance and
related services worldwide.  The Associates has operations in the United
States and 15 international markets.  Headquartered in Dallas, it is one of
the nation's 100 largest companies, based on total market capitalization.
    Budget Rent a Car Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Budget Group,
Inc. , is one of the world's top three car and truck rental systems.
The Budget system, which operates under the same name worldwide, has more than
3,200 airport and local market locations in over 120 countries and
territories.  Budget has nearly 1,000 corporate-owned and franchised locations
in the United States.  Budget's WorldClass Fleet is comprised of more than 30%
specialty vehicles, ranging from sport utility vehicles, convertibles and
luxury cars to minivans, pickups and environmental vehicles.