Expedia Acquires Auto Escape Group

Expedia has just announced completing its acquisition of Auto Escape Group, a leading European car rental entity online. The acquisition from private equity fund Montefiore Investment, tell of Auto Escape Group management migrating to the booking giant’s team as well.

Founded in 1999, Auto Escape Group is a European online car rental company that offers up two brands; Auto Escape and Car del Mar. The company has 100+ employees. Auto Escape offers some 300 cars for travelers across 125 countries via various suppliers. Previous announcements suggested Auto Escape Group will become part of the CarRentals.com brand, a HotWire brand.

This deal adds some 20 websites to the Expedia portfolio of outlets online. Apparently the travel giant is intent on expanding Hotwire Group into the car rental business, a move clearly aimed at competing with Priceline expansions.