Avis Opens New Look Rental Station at Gatwick Airport
Avis voted Times Top 100 Company
British Airways Executive Club member wins Saab 9-3 Convertible
Avis wins Business Car Rental 2005 Award
Avis Launch Urbigo In Central London
Is Your Car A Stinker?
Avis Europe Wins Prestigious Double Award At TTG British Travel Awards 2004
Find Your Destination Easy
London Wins the Olympic Bid
Avis UK Rapid Return
"Car Flirt" - are you one?
White to depart Avis at the end of 2004 after 21 successful years
Avis voted Best Car Hire Company 2003
Avis wins exclusive partnership with Air Southwest
London Congestion Charge
Avis Opens New Look Rental Station at Gatwick Airport
(December 2005)
Showcasing a new format to speed customers through the rental process
Another step in Avis' reinvention of the rental industry and turning point in today's rental station design
The design of Avis' new look rental location at Gatwick Airport, South Terminal, which opened on Thursday 8 December, is a break from rental industry tradition in terms of design and layout. Customers are being invited to comment on the new location and if successful this will form the basis of rental location design for Avis throughout the UK next year, marking a radical departure from the traditional 'high desk' rental stations.
The new station design was inspired by Avis customers, based on their direct feedback as part of an Avis research campaign involving over 12,000 customers across Europe.
Stuart Gent, Managing Director, Avis UK says: "Having spoken directly to our customers we know that one of the most important elements of their car rental experience is convenience and speed, particularly when travelling. The new rental location at Gatwick Airport, South Terminal, has been designed specifically to answer this need."
The new Avis rental location at Gatwick Airport is contemporary yet inviting. Oval pods replace a single high desk enabling Avis rental staff to serve more customers at any given time. This brings a more customer-orientated approach to face-to-face renting, giving a fast, open and friendly service, and removing the traditional 'high desk' is also much more welcoming.
Gent continues: "Our success has been built on our distinctive promise to 'try harder', in this case to improve the rental experience for our customers, through every stage. The design of our new rental location for greater speed and better service is just one of many changes planned in response to our customers. We have listened and now we are making changes, and this will remain our priority for the future."
Avis Voted Times Top 100 Company
Avis UK has just been named "58th Best UK Company to work for in 2005". This is a rigorous assessment process conducted by the Sunday Times in conjunction with Best Companies and The Department of Trade and Industry reflecting our commitment to employee satisfaction, one of the six areas of strategic focus for the Group.
Commenting on the nomination, Stuart Gent, Avis UK Managing Director said "This really is a fantastic achievement and reflects the great work over recent years establishing a truly enviable people proposition. This work was complemented in 2004 by the talented "Better by Far" project team, who worked with the output of the 2004 Times survey, the Avis Internal Employee Satisfaction survey and Line Managers to ensure that this year we were able to improve on our previous short listed position."
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British Airways Executive Club member wins Saab 9-3 Convertible
This Friday, 30th September 2005, Mr Kourosh Dara took delivery of a sleek and stylish Saab 9-3 Convertible at Avis, Heathrow. His fantastic prize presented to him on his birthday was won following a promotion run by Avis exclusively for British Airways Executive Club members this summer.
The promotion ran from 1st May to 31st July 2005 and was open to all UK resident Executive Club members who made a rental with Avis at any of its locations worldwide. 48,000 renters were automatically entered into a prize draw to win the coveted Scandinavian four-season four-seater convertible, plus those that booked via www.avisba.com also received double their standard BA Miles on each Avis rental.
Mr Dara, a regular Avis customer and analyst for Accenture global management consultancy, made his lucky rental at Avis' Norwich station and was told the fortuitous news at work on the 20th August 2005. Forgotten that he had even entered the competition Mr Dara says "I frequently rent Avis vehicles through Accenture for business and I am a regular BA flyer primarily to Manchester but have had the odd trip abroad to Chicago and Canada. I also try to fly with BA for my holidays.
Commenting on his prize, Mr Dara said "I am extremely grateful and will continue to enter more competitions! It's a really great thing and couldn't have happened to a nicer guy."
Stuart Gent, Managing Director, Avis Rent a Car Ltd/Avis UK comments "Our strength of partnership with British Airways enables us to offer our mutual customers some great benefits and offers such as this summer promotion to win a Saab. I am particularly delighted to present this prize to Mr Dara who is a regular customer of both Avis and British Airways."
Avis wins Business Car Rental 2005 Award
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On Monday 24th January, Avis won the prestigous Business Travel World award for best Business Car Rental Company 2005. Our application, judged by leading industry figures, beat stiff competition from Europcar & National Car Rental.
The judges said that our focus on customer satisfaction & investment into account management differentiated us from the rest. Business Travel World commented that 'the judges' decision confirms the market consensus that Avis is firmly back on the road to its past position of UK leader."
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Avis Launch Urbigo In Central London
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Avis' Car Club product Urbigo has been operating for over 4 years. But now Urbigo has expanded further by launching 3 new locations in central London.
Urbigo is now available at Avis Mayfair, Avis Waterloo, and Avis Euston for both private and business use. Cars are parked on the Avis forecourts, and available for registered members to hire, by the hour, 24 hours a day. In addition, Urbigo is also central London, Urbigo is also available at Sutton, Southwark and Oxford.
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Is Your Car A Stinker?
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A survey conducted by Avis Rent A Car suggests that people are even more mucky in their cars than recent television programmes have revealed, some are in their homes.
All manner of dirt and rubbish can be found on, under and behind the seats and in the glove compartment - anything and everything from stale food and drink stains, empty crisp packets and sandwich wrappers to animal fur, chewing gum and filthy sports bags. And as for the boot...
Ring any bells? How clean is your car? Avis has sought the advice of expert Robert Watson, former Head Butler at London's Lanesborough Hotel and founder of the Guild of Professional English Butlers who was more than happy to give advice on how people might best clean the filth and clutter from their vehicles.
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Avis Europe Wins Prestigious Double Award At TTG British Travel Awards 2004
Avis Europe has been voted "Best Business Car Rental Company" and "Best Leisure Car Rental Company" at this year's TTG British Travel awards 2004, the first time that one single car rental company has won both awards.
Hundreds of UK travel agencies were asked to vote for "best of" in the relevant travel category, by one of the world's leading independent market research organisations, the National Opinion Poll (NOP), who were responsible for the management and coordination of voting for this coveted award.
Commenting on these awards, Tom Knopek, Director Leisure Sales for Avis Europe, said: "We are delighted to have been recognised with not one, but two awards, which is an unprecedented achievement, as no other car rental company has ever won both awards. Our thanks go to our Travel Team, whose magnificent job in servicing and working with Travel Agents, has helped to make this possible."
Find Your Destination Easily
Avis has teamed up with cellhire to offer a "plug and drive" in-car satellite navigation system, offering door-to-door navigation to help you reach your destination.
London Wins Olympic Bid
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Avis UK is supporting the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games bid by providing complimentary car rental for delegates and members of London 2012 Ltd, the team responsible for winning the Games for London. It is the first car rental company to champion the Olympic bid.
Members of the bid team who will be able to take advantage of Avis car rental include Sir Steve Redgrave, Sebastian Coe OBE, Mathew Pinsent CBE and Alan Pascoe, Vice Chairman. London 2012 will use Avis cars to visit the world class and iconic London venues where some of the games would be hosted, such as Horse Guards Parade for Beach Volleyball, Lord's cricket ground for Archery and Greenwich Park for Equestrian events.
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The general public can also benefit from excellent leisure rates on Avis car rental through the link on London 2012's website, www.london2012.org.
The partnership between Avis and London 2012 is scheduled to continue until 6th July 2005, when the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be announced.
Penny Stoolman, Avis UK Sales and Marketing Director, comments, "Bringing the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to London would not only create a wonderful sporting experience but would also provide extensive business and tourism opportunities. We believe it's vital for UK companies to back the London 2012 bid and Avis is helping to lead the way by providing a real and practical service to the team working on winning the Games for London through complimentary car rental and promotional support."
Barbara Cassani, Chairman of the London 2012 bid, said, "I am delighted to have Avis on board as a Champion of the London 2012 bid. Its generous contribution of vehicle rentals will go a long way towards helping us bring the Games to London. The business community understands that thousands of companies across the UK will benefit from hosting the largest event in the world and I am extremely grateful for the extensive support the bid has received from the corporate sector. Our corporate partners and supporters will provide valuable financial, logistical, administrative and hospitality assistance to boost the infrastructure of the bid."
Avis UK Rapid Return
Avis, Europe’s largest car rental company, has launched its newest customer service initiative, RAPID RETURN: an innovative hand-held check-in device, that uses wireless technology to radically improve the speed of car return.
The device has been installed in 8 of Avis’ busiest stations in the UK, and at major airports across Europe. Rapid Return can process car return in as little as 60 seconds from start to finish. |
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The device reads a barcode on the vehicle and uploads the rental information including mileage used, fuel level etc. A final receipt for the rental can then be issued with the customer at the carside and the customer can verify on the spot!
The receipt can be issued in seven different languages and reduces the car return stages allowing customers to avoid additional paperwork and save valuable time.
Michael White, Managing Director, Avis UK, commented "Rapid Return has been developed as a response to our customers who wish to experience an easy and hassle-free service. By introducing this technology at our stations it underlines our commitment to make the Avis rental process as quick, easy and transparent as possible."
RAPID RETURN will be available in the following Avis rental locations.
- Aberdeen airport
- Belfast City airport
- Edinburgh airport
- Gatwick airport
- Heathrow airport
- Luton airport
- Manchester airport
- Stansted airport
Are You A Car Flirt?
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Some of you may recall seeing our "Car Flirt Survey" questionnaire in last month's e-newsletter. Perhaps you filled it in? Well those who have, you should be ashamed of yourselves! If the survey results are to be believed, it is apparent that we have become a nation of shameless car flirts and many of us are guilty of getting a little amorous behind the wheel when going about our daily business.
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Gone are the days of supermarket flirtation because clearly now we can't actually wait until we get there. No, modern men and women need to strike early and make their move before hitting the fruit and veg aisle. And it seems that everyone's at it! 72% of women questioned admitted to car flirtation and 65% of the men.
Avis also exposed some cheaters out there to watch out for. Evidently, with "Car Flirtation", the usual rules don't apply. 77% of married females, aged 31-40 admitted to flirting in the car compared to 59% of married men.
And we're mercenary too. Oh yes, size and money do count in the "Car Flirt" world. It seems women are the guilty ones here, reserving attention for cars with a sexier and more expensive spec than their own. 65% would rather flirt with someone in a flash car whilst 70% of men choose to flirt with someone in a similar car to theirs.
Now that Avis have exposed these car flirters for what they really are, you'll know to look out for them and perhaps do a few hair flicks yourself. Or even hire a flash Avis Rental car for a weekend to perfect your technique and enjoy the effect on other motorists!
White To Depart Avis At The End Of 2004
After three successful years as Managing Director of Avis UK, Michael White will be leaving the company at the end of December.
White has worked for Avis for 21 years, starting in a series of field and senior commercial roles in the USA and Asia Pacific, before joining Avis Europe plc in 1995 as Director of Sales. Having progressed to Vice President Sales and Marketing, then Vice President and General Manager for Avis Group's small European markets, he then joined Avis UK as Managing Director in 2001.
In his three years at Avis UK, White has overseen continued profitable growth of the Avis network, has further developed the company's product portfolio and strengthened the management team. During this time, Avis has developed an industry leading website and has won many awards, including the prestigious Daily Telegraph Best Car Hire Company of the Year Award 2003.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Avis and, in particular, my last 3 years successfully leading the UK team. We have accomplished many things and I have learnt much about what it takes to be part of a great business. I have built some great friendships across the industry and trust these will continue. I am constantly striving for new personal and professional challenges and believe now is the time to develop my career outside of Avis", said White.
Commenting on White's departure Murray Hennessy, Chief Executive of Avis Europe said: 'We are sorry that Michael has decided to leave us. He has made many contributions to the Avis Group, and will leave our UK business strongly positioned for the future. We are pleased that he will continue with us until the end of the year to ensure business continuity and an effective transition to his successor, who will be announced shortly'
Avis Voted Best Car Hire Company 2003
What do Avis, Emirates Airline, the Savoy, Barcelona and Italy have in common? According to Telegraph readers, they are simply the best. All of them are winners in the Telegraph Travel Awards - based on the results of the biggest annual poll of the British travelling public.
The Telegraph Travel Awards are the most significant study of the travel tastes and habits of British consumers. The awards are the end result of an annual poll of specially selected readers of The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph (UK newspapers) conducted by NOP. The awards allow readers to express their likes and dislikes of modern travel.
This is the sixth year of the awards, which were presented on October 6 by Angus Deayton at a reception at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel in London. They have quickly become established as the most prestigious in the trade - sought after by tour operators, airlines and tourist boards, and acknowleged by travellers as the most reliable indicator of excellence.
Avis, which has worked hard in recent years to become more competitive in the holiday market, was Best Car Hire Company for the first time.
Avis Wins Exclusive Partnership With Air Southwest
Avis wins an exclusive new partnership with Air Southwest - the UK’s newest regional airline.
The partnership commenced on the 1st December 2003 where Avis will offer car rental facilities for Air Southwest customers at all airports served by the airline, including Plymouth, Newquay and London Gatwick. Air Southwest offers four return flights per day, from both Newquay and Plymouth to London Gatwick. Plus, from the 1st March 2004 there will be daily flights from Plymouth and Bristol to Manchester and from Plymouth to Bristol.
Avis customers who fly with Air Southwest will receive the best daily rental rates and we will also be able to provide tactical promotional offers throughout the year. This is a significant deal and it is great for the business to have secured another airline partner.
The partnership offers Air Southwest passengers the convenience of booking their car rental online through www.airsouthwest.com and the freedom to start exploring the Westcountry as soon as they land which is great for short breaks.
Click here to book a flight with AirSouthwest
London Congestion Charge
You will probably be aware from all the news and media that the London Congestion Charge is now in operation. This will affect those customers who are renting a car and intend to drive it into the congestion zone.
Click here for further information on the London Congestion Charge