Avis Europe : History

History

In 1946 Warren Avis opened the world's first airport car rental location at Willow Run Airport, Detroit, with just three cars on the fleet. Today, Avis Europe operates the Avis and Budget brands in over 3,600 locations worldwide. Here are a few key historical milestones in the expansion of the company.

2007

Sale and franchising of Avis Greece to Piraeus Bank, a leading banking group in Greece.

2006

Launches new industry-leading website as key element in strategy to differenitate the customer experience.
http://www.avis.co.uk

2005

Successfully completes Rights Issue (approximately €166 million, net of expenses) to strengthen balance sheet and fund recovery strategy.

2004

Opens a new shared service centre in Budapest in January 2004, as part of the continuing investment in cost reduction and 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 Africa and the Indian Oceans region to thirty-five.

2002

Avis continues to expand in China through its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Corporation SAISC). 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

Achieves market leadership in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, just 8 years after Avis Europe was founded.

Begins expansion into the fleet leasing market.

1972

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

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

Launches 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.