Hertz teams with Uber

Lost in the big news about the $2 billion spinoff of Hertz' equipment-rental business was an equally surprising announcement of Hertz partnerships with ride-sharing giants Uber Technologies and Lyft.

Ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have taken business from Estero-based Hertz. But the recently announced partnerships suggest both can work together.

The scale of the Uber project so far is small. Hertz and Uber will partner in Los Angeles to provide Uber drivers with rental cars from off-airport locations that are staffed. The cars can be used for personal reasons or Uber business.