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.
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| France |
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23% |
|
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| Spain |
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17% |
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| Germany |
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16% |
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| Italy |
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16% |
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| UK |
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15% |
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| Other |
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13% |
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| Total |
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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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