Who Owns Zipcar?
Zipcar is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), the publicly traded vehicle rental company headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. Founded in 2000 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Zipcar is the largest car-sharing service in the US, offering members hourly access to vehicles in cities and on hundreds of university campuses. Avis Budget acquired it in 2013 for about $500 million.
Parent Company
Acquired
2013
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Zipcar Timeline
Who Owns Zipcar?
- Parent Company: Avis Budget Group, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Acquisition Year: 2013
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: CAR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Zipcar | Avis Budget Group, Inc. | Subsidiary |
Advertisement
History of Zipcar
- Founded: 2000
- Founders: Antje Danielson, Robin Chase
- Acquired by Avis Budget Group, Inc.: 2013
Antje Danielson and Robin Chase founded Zipcar in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2000, inspired by German car-sharing concepts. Members reserve vehicles online and unlock them with a card, paying by the hour with fuel and insurance included, a model that upended urban car access for people who did not want to own vehicles.
The company grew through city launches and the 2007 merger with rival Flexcar, expanded to hundreds of university campuses, and went public on NASDAQ in 2011. Avis Budget's 2013 acquisition made it a subsidiary, and subsequent years saw the service mature into a stable but slower-growing unit while competitors like Turo's peer-to-peer model gained attention.
Zipcar remains the dominant station-based car-sharing brand in the US, with vehicles in dedicated spots across major cities and campuses, though it has retrenched from some international markets over the years.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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 Zipcar Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Zipcar 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 HospitalityAvis
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Premium car rental brand of Avis Budget Group, the NASDAQ-listed company behind Avis, Budget, and Zipcar, operating worldwide since 1946.
car-rentaltravelairport-rental
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
Advertisement
Zipcar Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Category-defining brand with two decades of members
- +Avis Budget fleet purchasing and maintenance behind it
- +Campus network builds lifetime customers
- +Fixed-spot reliability vs peer-to-peer variability
Considerations
- -Growth slower than peer-to-peer competitors
- -Urban parking economics limit expansion
- -Membership model faces Uber and delivery alternatives
- -Subsidiary status inside a traditional rental group
Frequently Asked Questions About Zipcar
Advertisement
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Zipcar
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 | 1946 | Mass market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Zipcar competes with 1 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.
Advertisement
Independent Alternatives to Zipcar
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 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 Zipcar which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityThe Beach Tower
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Former hotel tower at Atlantis Paradise Island that was closed in 2021 and acquired by Pharrell Williams for redevelopment into Somewhere Else hotel.
hotel-towerresort-accommodationbahamas
Privately Owned
The Beach Tower is privately owned, unlike Zipcar which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityThe Royal Towers
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Iconic hotel towers at Atlantis Paradise Island featuring 1,201 rooms and suites, the Bridge Suite, and direct access to Aquaventure water park and marine habitats. Renovated in 2024 as part of a $150 million resort-wide transformation.
luxury-hotelresort-accommodationbahamas
Privately Owned
The Royal Towers is privately owned, unlike Zipcar which is under a publicly traded parent company.
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 Zipcar 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 Zipcar 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 Zipcar which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Avis Budget Group, Inc. Stock Information
Advertisement
Jobs at Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Latest News About Zipcar
Advertisement
Related Articles About Zipcar
View more articles
Rivalry
Airbnb vs Booking.com: Who Really Owns Travel
Airbnb's founders control ~80% of votes with ~27% of shares. Booking Holdings owns Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, and OpenTable ($26.9B revenue). Discover who really owns travel. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffOct 21, 2026
AirbnbBookingRivalry
Industry Analysis
Luggage Brand Ownership: Who's Behind Your Travel Gear?
Samsonite, TUMI, and American Tourister are all owned by one company. Discover the hidden ownership behind major luggage brands and what it means for travellers. Browse our database.
Who Brands StaffApr 18, 2026
LuggageTravelSamsonite
Brand Ownership
Who Owns Your Hotel? Marriott, Hilton, and the Hospitality Brand Ownership Guide
Marriott owns 30+ hotel brands. Hilton owns 22. IHG owns 19. Here is who owns every major hotel brand and why that budget hotel and the luxury resort may share a corporate parent.
Who Brands StaffFeb 3, 2026
HotelsHospitalityBrand Ownership
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Travel & Hospitality category and related searches from other users.
Brandhotel-booking
Agoda
Singapore-based online travel platform owned by Booking Holdings, specializing in hotel bookings across Asia-Pacific with global reach covering flights, vacation packages, and alternative accommodations.
Brand in Travel & Hospitality
asian-travelonline-travel
Brandtravel
Airbnb
Global online marketplace for short-term homestays, experiences, and travel services, operating in more than 220 countries and regions.
Brand in Travel & Hospitality
short-term-rentalsmarketplace
Brandairline
AirTran Airways
Former low-cost airline acquired by Southwest Airlines in 2011 and fully integrated by 2014, previously headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
Brand in Travel & Hospitality
low-cost-carrierdefunct-airline