After their public outcry car rental company, Enterprise, has resigned its membership American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec). As an anti-regulation lobby group that has pushed against climate change Alec does not seem to be adding value to the car company’s image, with customers very uncomfortable with this brand association.
With the group owning Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National and Alamo the company make up a large section of the rental sector, needing to show its customers that it operates in an ethical manner. Of late, Enterprise customers have been taking to social media, voicing their concerns over this connection. Circulating a petition demanding the company withdraw its support from the lobbyist group customers reached 89,000 signatures.
A spokeswoman, Laura Bryant, said the company valued its customers and “[t]o that end, we have been carefully listening to those customers and partners who have expressed sincere concern about our ALEC membership.
“In fact, after thoughtful consideration, we have decided to resign our membership,” she told the Guardian.
Bryant said the company would “continue to integrate sustainable practices across our operations and seek new ways to minimize the environmental impact of our business”.
“This is yet another example of a cooperation with brand sensitivity not wanting to be publicly associated with Alec,” said Nick Surgey, director of research at the Center for Media and Democracy. “Enterprise should have known better than be associated with such a toxic organization, but they should now be applauded for having done the right thing.”
Let us know what you think on this subject by leaving your comments below.
