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Markets and Customers

Our Markets
Our Customer Groups

Our markets

Europe
 
Over 85% of Avis Europe's revenues in 2007 were generated in the five major markets of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
 
% of Revenue by Geographical Market at 31st December 2007
 
France      23%
 
Spain      17%
 
Germany      16%
 
Italy      16%
 
UK      15%
 
Other      13%
 
Total   100.0 %
 
The European industry is characterised by a small number of major car rental companies including Avis Europe, Hertz and Europcar (which operate through a combination of wholly owned and franchised operations), large national vehicle rental companies and numerous small companies primarily servicing their own local markets. This fragmentation of the industry makes the measurement of market data difficult.
 
Euromonitor currently represents the only European-wide source of market data, which includes both airport and off-airport estimates.
 
 Market size
 
The latest independent market share data from Euromonitor (Euromonitor IMIS Travel Database 2006) estimated the total car rental revenue generated in the group's 10 key corporate countries to be €8.51 billion in 2006. The largest of these countries by revenue were Germany (24.0%), the United Kingdom (18%), France (17%), Spain (16%) and Italy (11%). During this period, Euromonitor estimated that 41 million rentals were made and that a combined fleet of approximately 1.2 million vehicles was employed by the car rental industry.
 
 Growth drivers
 
Historically, the growth of the car rental market has been closely tied to general economic activity levels and, in the case of rentals from airports, to airline passenger volume growth
 
Economic growth prospects for the Group's key markets presently appear to a degree less positive than they were last year. As at January 2008, the Economist Intelligence Unit was forecasting Euro-area GDP growth at an annual rate of between 1.9% and 2.1% from 2008 to 2011 (previous forecasts of between 2.1% and 2.2% from 2007 to 2010), and between 1.7% and 2.5% in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2011 (previous forecasts of between 2.0% and 2.5% from 2007 to 2010).
 
Euromonitor estimated that the total industry revenue in the 10 main corporate countries grew at a compound rate of 1.2% per annum from 2002 to 2006 and forecasted growth of 5.2% per annum from 2007 to 2011.
 
Growth expectations for the airline sector tend to be higher than GDP growth, driven in part by structural trends, in particular by the continued growth of low cost airlines.
 
The International Air Transport Association forecasts (as at October 2007) growth in passenger arrivals for flights within Europe of  4.8% per annum for 2007 to 2011.
 
 Market Composition
 
Euromonitor generally categorises the car rental market either by the type of customer, (corporate, leisure, insurance/ replacement) or by the location of rental (airport, non-airport). In 2006, Euromonitor estimated just under 52% of the market to be leisure, with approximately 42% being corporate and 6% being replacement business. During 2006, 38% of the industry's revenue came from airport rentals, with 62% attributable to non-airport locations.
 
 Competition
 
Euromonitor research shows that the Group had the second highest aggregate market revenue share in its 10  largest corporate countries in 2006 at 18.3%.
 
The merger between Europcar and Vanguard (primarily National and Alamo brands) in November 2006 has given Europcar a leading position in this European market place with a reported share of 23.7%. Hertz is the third largest with a reported market share of 15.2% in 2006.
 
In specific markets the Group faces competition from other car rental operators. For example, Sixt is   a major competitor in Germany and Enterprise in the United Kingdom. There are a large number of smaller-scale operators with strength in particular markets (frequently the Mediterranean), examples being Maggiore in Italy and ADA in France.
 
It is noteworthy that the Group operates two of the three established global brands, Avis, Budget and Hertz. The merger between Europcar and Vanguard referred to above creates a fourth global operator.
 
 
European car rental market by brand, 2006
 
 
Source : Euromonitor IMIS Travel Database, 2006
 
* Includes Budget 2.7%
** Includes Vanguard 5.0%
 
 
Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe
 
Avis began operations in Scandinavia over 50 years ago and now has the widest network covering the Region.
 
Avis was also the first rent a car company to be represented in every country in Central and Eastern Europe. With strong growth prospects, as evidenced by the expansion of the European Union eastward, Avis is very positive about its future in this fast emerging territory. Recent network expansion has focused on Russia.
 
 
Africa, Asia and Middle East
 
 Africa
 
Avis Europe is represented in 85% of the region, more than any other international car rental company, with services at all international airports across 38 countries. The prospective growth in Africa and the Indian Ocean give Avis confidence in the future, particularly in key markets such as Southern Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria.
 
 Asia
 
Avis Europe acquired the licence to operate in 27 territories in Asia at the time of its flotation. This provided the company with access to a vast new market representing over 60% of the world population in one of the most dynamic regions of the global economy, whilst further enhancing its international presence.
 
Asia is a key long-term growth region, and Avis became the first international car rental company to enter into equity Joint Ventures in the two strategic markets of India and China. Avis India opened in 1999 and Avis commenced trading in China in January 2003, through the signing of an agreement with a subsidiary of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, one of China's largest automotive groups. Today, Avis is the only international rent-a-car company present in China, with 12 locations in 8 cities.
 
 Middle East
 
Avis Europe began operations in the Middle East more than 40 years ago and is currently represented in over 90% of the region, serving a population of over 120 million. The operation in Israel, together with the newer Budget brand, is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
 

Our Customer Groups

The Group classifies its customers as individuals; corporate and insurance/leasing.
 
 Individuals
 
These customers are individual travellers booking directly or indirectly through travel companies, tour operators, partnership arrangements and brokers.
 
To support business from individual customers Avis has an extensive portfolio of over 70 international partnerships with the world's airlines, railway networks and other leading travel companies.
 
The individual customer category is more seasonal than the corporate customer category, with demand peaking over the key holiday periods.  Individual customers are principally attracted to Avis by it's widespread network, quality of service, reliability, brand, website and competitive prices.
 
 Corporate
 
Corporate customers book via negotiated arrangements with their employers and through vehicle replacement companies.
 
The corporate customer category displays a relatively even pattern of demand throughout the year.  The key requirements of corporate customers are competitive prices, speed and quality of service, reliability, availability of management information and geographical coverage.
 
 Insurance/Replacement
 
These customers come through insurance and leasing companies, vehicle dealerships and repair shops with which Avis has a direct contractual relationships.
 
This category also displays a relatively even pattern of demand throughout the year and customers' requirements are similar to those in the corporate segment.
 
 
     
 
 

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Registered Office: Avis House, Park Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2EW.
Registered Number: 3311438.
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