About Avis

In 1946 Warren Avis opened the world's first airport car rental location at Willow Run Airport, Detroit, with a grand total of three cars. Today, Avis operate from over 5,200 locations in 165 countries worldwide.

Avis is a trusted brand with a long history of innovation in the car rental industry, and is one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty, with a commitment to true convenience and exceptional service.

Supported by the recognition of numerous Travel Awards, Avis has established itself as a truely global car rental provider.

Here are just a few key historical milestones in this success story.

History

2012
Awarded the 'World's Leading Business Car Rental Company' at the World Travel Awards for the 7th consecutive year.

2009
Becomes the first leading global rental company to operate in Vietnam with the opening of a licensee operation, headquarters in Hanoi.

2008
Rolls-out the unique '3-minute promise' to over 500 locations accross France, Germany, Spain, UK, Portugal & Switzerland, reducing customer waiting time through delivering Avis Preferred renters their keys in under 3 minutes.

2006
Launches new industry leading website as key element in strategy to differentiate the customer experience - www.avis.co.uk

2004
Opens a new shared service centre in Budapest in January 2004, as part of the continuing investment in technology to create a flexible platform for the future growth and development of the Avis Group.

2003
Acquires the rights to operate the Budget brand in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Began operations in Tanzania and Mali, increasing the territories served in the Africa and Indian Ocean region to thirty-five.

2002
Avis continues to expand in China through its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Corporation SAISC). With 10 stations in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Suzhou, plans are progressing to extend to Beijing, Nanjing and Hangzhou by the end of 2004. Avis China provides a full range of Rent A Car and leasing services with and without chauffeurs.

1999
Expands into Asia with a Licensee agreement to grow car rental operations into the Japanese market and signs a joint venture agreement with Mercury Car Rentals Ltd. to operate car rental in 9 major cities in India.

The launch of services in these cities forms the platform for an aggressive expansion programme for business growth encompassing the major business and leisure centres throughout India.

1997
Successfully floats on the London Stock Exchange for the second time primarily to fund expansion of its core business.

Extends licence to the Avis name and brand to a further 27 territories in Asia, giving the Group access to a vast new market.

1995
Accelerates global partnerships development, forging new alliances with leading names in the worldwide travel industry. Now with over 80 airline partners worldwide and many other international travel providers.

1992
Sells substantially all its leasing operations to GE Capital Fleet Services.

1989
Reverts to private ownership with 3 major shareholders, D'Ieteren, General Motors and Avis Inc.

1986
Separates legally from its former owner, Avis Inc., whilst still remaining part of the Avis worldwide system. Avis Europe becomes the first car rental company in history to successfully float on the London Stock Exchange. In 3 years as a public company, Avis Europe triples its market value.

1985
Wizard implementation commences in Europe . . . today this unique system processes 97% of Avis Europe's transactions and interfaces with all major global distribution systems.

1979
Enters a worldwide advertising and marketing agreement with General Motors and begins featuring GM cars in its fleet worldwide.

1973
Avis achieves market leadership in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, just 8 years after Avis Europe was founded. The business begins expansion into the fleet leasing market.

1972
Avis introduces a major technological innovation... the Wizard computer system... the first and today, still the most extensive on-line, real-time reservation, rental and management information system in the industry.

1965
Avis formally expands in the international arena by founding the Europe, Africa and Middle East division (Avis Europe). Corporate operations are established in major European countries and in some cases success is spectacular (e.g. in Spain). Avis climbs from newcomer to largest car rental company in just one year.

1963
Avis launches a bold new advertising campaign... 'We're only No.2. We try harder'... now acknowledged as one of the 10 best advertising slogans of all time and embedded as the very essence of the company's culture. The campaign brings Avis back into the black after many years in the red.

1953
International expansion begins with franchise operations in Europe, Canada and Mexico.

1946
Warren Avis founds Avis Airlines Rent a Car Systems at Willow Run Airport, Detroit. Anticipating post-war travel trends, this is the world's first car rental operation at an airport location.

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