Avis Car Rental

Avis Brand Origin and Evolution

Avis was founded in 1946 by Warren Avis at Willow Run Airport in Detroit, Michigan. It marked a pioneer milestone in the travel industry as the first car rental operation located at an airport. The brand quickly gained international recognition for its service-oriented approach, famously encapsulated in its long-running 'We Try Harder' advertising campaign which debuted in 1962.

Global Operations and Manufacturing

As a service provider, Avis does not 'manufacture' products in a traditional sense. Instead, its 'production' consists of maintaining a diverse fleet of vehicles and a network of rental hubs. The brand operates thousands of locations across North America, Europe, South America, India, Australia, and New Zealand. The vehicles used in the fleet are sourced from various global automotive manufacturers, including Ford, General Motors, and Toyota, and the rental services are delivered locally in each country of operation.

Ownership and Corporate Structure

Today, the brand is owned and operated by the Avis Budget Group, Inc., a leading global provider of mobility solutions. Headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, the parent company manages several major brands including Budget Rent a Car and Zipcar. While Avis Budget Group owns the master rights globally, many local operations are managed through corporate-owned storefronts or authorized licensees and franchises in specific international territories.