Auto Rentals and Travel

WASHINGTON —

Negotiations aimed at regulating repair of rental vehicles with defects have bogged down, dimming hopes of passing legislation that has become the focus of a nationwide Internet campaign.

Clayton-based Enterprise Holdings Inc., a key player in the talks, is being accused by consumer advocates of seeking loopholes that would let companies rent and sell cars under recall for safety reasons without getting them fixed.

The advocacy group Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety contended in a letter to Enterprise last week that provisions the companies want “would radically weaken consumer protections.”

Enterprise paints a different picture. The company says it has joined with all major rental firms — except Hertz Corp. — in supporting legislation that would, for the first time, give the government authority over rental company policies for recalled autos.

Hertz has embraced a compromise with consumer advocates that is stricter than what corporate rivals, such as Enterprise, will accept.

Enterprise contends that the legislation it wants is “pretty similar” to a version drafted by consumer groups and — with limited exceptions — would prohibit renting or selling recalled vehicles.

In a sta……….. continues on Chicago Tribune.