ATHLON HOLDINGS THE LARGEST CAR HIRE COMPANY IN THE Netherlands will be taking over for EUR 33.5 bn the 50% holding it has so far not taken control of in UNILEASE (turnover EUR 260 million in 2003 with 24,000 car hire contracts in the Netherlands and Belgium) from LEASEPLAN in view of developing its activities in the Netherlands and Belgium. This acquisition will see ATHLON's turnover reach a level of EUR 1.7 bn annually.