STRENGTHENING its position as a major force in mobility, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, has acquired City Car Club, the UK’s biggest independent car sharing company.

The purchase boosts Enterprise’s capabilities as a leading provider of mobility solutions to businesses that require cars for a variety of time frames.

Enterprise CarShare is currently operational across public sector organisations throughout the UK. With City Car Club being aimed at private and corporate renters, Enterprise will utilise the acquisition to support fast-growing demand for car sharing and mobility services among businesses as well as for leisure motoring.

The agreement covers all of City Car Club’s assets, including its 800+ vehicles, 45 employees and 30,000 members. Its vehicles are available to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week in 17 cities around the UK.

In the short-term, the Enterprise CarShare and City Car Club businesses will continue to operate as two separate brands, with a view to creating a combined entity in the future.

Enterprise vice-president, Brian Swallow, said: “This is an exciting time for mobility businesses such as Enterprise. We see the acquisition of City Car Club as a way of extending our service to business and private motorists looking for flexible travel options.

“As a privately owned business City Car Club already shares many of our values – in particular, our enthusiasm for innovation that genuinely drives customer service and delivers against customer needs. City Car Club even uses the same type of in-car technology as Enterprise CarShare.

“Beyond the government’s stated aim to enhance the sharing economy, people and businesses are turning to rental as a simple and environmentally-responsible way of making journeys. Enterprise aims to provide all varieties of mobility and car sharing is an increasingly important part of the mix, particularly in cities.”