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 worldwide operates in over 4,000 locations
in 174
countries. Energy, enthusiasm, innovative industry leadership and an ethos of continuous
improvement have characterised the company for many years. Here are a few key historical
milestones in this successful story.
History
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
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.
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