Donlen
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fleet leasing and management |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Donald Rappeport, Leonard Vine |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Fate | Merged with Wheels Inc. and LeasePlan USA under Wheels brand |
| Headquarters | Bannockburn, Illinois , United States |
Area served | North America (now part of Wheels, operations in 58 countries via Ayvens network) |
| Products | Lease financing, vehicle procurement, licensing and titling, remarketing, truck customization, driver compliance solutions |
| Parent | Athene Holding Ltd. (2021–2023) |
Donlen LLC was a United States-based fleet leasing and management firm located in Bannockburn, Illinois, in close proximity to Chicago. The company provided services including lease financing, vehicle procurement, licensing and titling, remarketing, truck customization, and driver compliance solutions tailored for corporate fleets. In 2021, ownership of Donlen transferred to Athene Holding Ltd. By 2023, Donlen merged with Wheels Inc. and LeasePlan USA under the consolidated brand Wheels, establishing one of the continent’s largest fleet management organizations with a portfolio exceeding 900,000 vehicles and operations spanning 58 countries via the Ayvens network.
History
Founded in 1965 by Donald Rappeport and Leonard Vine, Donlen Corporation grew steadily before being acquired by Hertz Global Holdings in September 2011 for $250 million plus the assumption of $770 million in fleet-related debt, thereafter functioning as a subsidiary of Hertz. On March 30, 2021, Hertz divested Donlen to Athene Holding.
In December 2022, Athene integrated Donlen with Wheels and LeasePlan USA to form a prominent provider of corporate mobility solutions across North America. This combined entity commenced operations under the Wheels name on February 28, 2023; consequently, Donlen’s website now redirects to wheels.com, symbolizing the unified branding and consolidated service offerings.
Business overview
Currently operating under the Wheels brand, Donlen focuses on commercial vehicle fleets management and consultancy encompassing cars, vans, and trucks. Its principal offerings include lease financing, vehicle acquisition, registration services, remarketing, truck upfitting, and driver compliance assistance. Together with its affiliates, Wheels oversees a fleet surpassing 800,000 vehicles.
Wheels overview
The amalgamation of Wheels, Donlen, and LeasePlan USA has resulted in one of North America’s foremost fleet management enterprises. Based in Des Plaines, Illinois, Wheels delivers an extensive range of fleet services such as vehicle procurement, leasing arrangements, telematics integration, maintenance oversight, and driver support programs.
Partnerships
Donlen forged environmental collaborations with entities like the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to assist commercial and municipal fleets in tracking and minimizing carbon footprints. Additionally, it partnered with the EPA's SmartWay Program to advocate for SmartWay Vehicle Certifications that endorse eco-friendly fleet selections. These sustainability initiatives continue under the Wheels brand identity.
External links
- Climbing the mountain: How Gary Rappeport put Donlen Corp. on the ascent by creating a plan to retain top talent
- Donlen Announces Release Of Award-Winning FleetWeb 3.0
- Wheels, Donlen, and LeasePlan Unite Under Wheels Brand Name https://www.wheels.com/public/resource-hub/news-media/new-wheels-press-release/