Who Owns Avis?
Avis is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), a publicly traded vehicle rental company headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. Founded by Warren Avis in 1946 at a Detroit airport, it is one of the world's largest car rental brands, positioned as the premium offering alongside sister brands Budget, Zipcar, and Payless.
Parent Company
Founded
1946
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
GlobalOfficial Website
Who Owns Avis?
- Parent Company: Avis Budget Group, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: CAR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Avis | Avis Budget Group, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of Avis
- Founded: 1946
- Founders: Warren Avis
Warren Avis, a former Army Air Corps pilot, founded Avis Airlines Rent A Car System in 1946 at Willow Run Airport near Detroit, the first car rental company based at an airport. The idea, renting to arriving travelers, created the airport rental category.
Ownership changed repeatedly through the postwar decades, passing through private owners to conglomerates including ITT and eventually Cendant Corporation. When Cendant dissolved in 2006, Avis became the lead brand of the newly independent Avis Budget Group.
The brand's identity rests on its 1962 "We Try Harder" campaign, created when Avis trailed Hertz as number two, one of the most famous challenger campaigns in advertising history. Premium positioning persists today in the Avis Preferred tiers and the brand's business-traveler focus at airport locations worldwide.
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About Avis Budget Group, Inc.
What brands does Avis Budget own?
Avis, Budget, Budget Truck, Zipcar, and Payless, operating across about 180 countries.
Is Avis Budget publicly traded?
Yes. It trades on NASDAQ under ticker CAR and has been independent since the 2006 Cendant spin-off.
Does Avis own Zipcar?
Yes. Avis Budget Group acquired Zipcar in 2013 for approximately $500 million.
Who is the CEO of Avis Budget?
Joe Ferraro, a longtime company executive, has been CEO since June 2025.
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Where is Avis Budget headquartered?
Parsippany, New Jersey, USA.
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: CAR
- Revenue: Approximately $11.8 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: Approximately 20,500
Where Is Avis Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
Avis Categories & Tags
Brands Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Travel HospitalityApex Car Rentals
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's off-airport value car rental brand for New Zealand and Australia, operating about 30 locations for more than 25 years.
car-rentalnew-zealandaustralia
Travel HospitalityBudget Truck Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's consumer and light commercial truck rental brand, formed in 1998 from the Ryder TRS acquisition and operating more than 1,600 US locations.
truck-rentalmovingdiy-moving
Travel HospitalityBudget
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Value-oriented car rental brand of Avis Budget Group, operating Budget car rental and Budget Truck moving services worldwide since 1958.
car-rentaltruck-rentaltravel
Travel HospitalityMaggiore
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's Italian car rental brand, founded in 1947 as Italy's first self-drive rental company and acquired in 2015.
car-rentalitalyeurope
Travel HospitalityPayless Car Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's deep-value car rental brand, founded in Spokane in 1971 and acquired in 2013, operating about 120 locations across the Americas and Europe.
car-rentalbudget-travelfranchise
Travel HospitalityZipcar
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Car-sharing brand owned by Avis Budget Group since 2013, offering hourly self-serve vehicle access in cities and on university campuses.
car-sharingmobilityurban-transport
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Avis Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +80-year airport rental pioneer with global recognition
- +Public parent with improving operating metrics
- +Complementary sister brands covering value and sharing
- +Deep corporate and loyalty relationships
Considerations
- -Cyclical travel exposure
- -Capital-intensive fleet model
- -Number three position behind Enterprise scale
- -Legacy brand with limited differentiation from Hertz
Frequently Asked Questions About Avis
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Avis
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Budget Group | USA | 1958 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Avis Budget Group | Italy | 1947 | Mass market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Avis Budget Group | USA | 1971 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Avis Budget Group | USA | 2000 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Travel HospitalityBudget
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Value-oriented car rental brand of Avis Budget Group, operating Budget car rental and Budget Truck moving services worldwide since 1958.
car-rentaltruck-rentaltravel
Travel HospitalityMaggiore
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's Italian car rental brand, founded in 1947 as Italy's first self-drive rental company and acquired in 2015.
car-rentalitalyeurope
Travel HospitalityPayless Car Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's deep-value car rental brand, founded in Spokane in 1971 and acquired in 2013, operating about 120 locations across the Americas and Europe.
car-rentalbudget-travelfranchise
Travel HospitalityZipcar
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Car-sharing brand owned by Avis Budget Group since 2013, offering hourly self-serve vehicle access in cities and on university campuses.
car-sharingmobilityurban-transport
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Avis competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Avis
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Travel HospitalityAquaventure Waterpark
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
141-acre water park at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, featuring high-speed slides, river rides, and marine habitat experiences, operated by Brookfield Asset Management.
water-parkresort-attractionbahamas
Privately Owned
Aquaventure Waterpark is privately owned, unlike Avis which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityAtlantis Resorts
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Luxury integrated resort brand operating properties in the Bahamas, Dubai, and China under two separate ownership structures, with new resorts announced for the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
luxury-resortsintegrated-resortshospitality
Privately Owned
Atlantis Resorts is privately owned, unlike Avis which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityDolphin Cay
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
14-acre marine habitat and conservation center at Atlantis Paradise Island offering dolphin encounters and marine education programs.
marine-habitatdolphin-encounterconservation
Privately Owned
Dolphin Cay is privately owned, unlike Avis which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityFinns Beach Club
Owned by FINNS Bali Group
Beachfront entertainment venue in Canggu, Bali, known for infinity pools, dining, and sunset events. Operated by PT Pantai Semara Nusantara.
beach-clubhospitalitybali
Privately Owned
Finns Beach Club is privately owned, unlike Avis which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityHarborside Resort at Atlantis
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Villa-style accommodation complex at Atlantis Paradise Island featuring residential-style layouts, full kitchens, and family-friendly amenities across the marina from the main resort.
villa-resortfamily-accommodationmarina-location
Privately Owned
Harborside Resort at Atlantis is privately owned, unlike Avis which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityKingdom Hospitality
Owned by Kingdom Hospitality, LLC
Full-service short-term rental and vacation property management company founded by Tim Venus in 2021 and headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, serving owners across multiple US markets.
short-term-rentalsvacation-rentalsproperty-management
Privately Owned
Kingdom Hospitality is privately owned, unlike Avis which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Avis Budget Group, Inc. Stock Information
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