VIP Car Rentals history

By 1925, Saunders' independent car rental company had grow to include operations In 21 states.

1946 - Avis is founded by Warren Avis at Willow Run Airport in Detroit with an $85,000 investment.

1953 - Franchise operations are begun in Europe, Canada and Mexico.

1954 - Avis is sold to Boston financier Richard S. Robie for $8 million.

1956 - Avis is acquired by investment group led by Amoskeag Company.

1960 - Avis Europe corporate offices are established in the United Kingdom.

1962 - Investment banking firm, Lazard Freres & Company, buys Avis.

1965 - ITT Corporation buys Avis for $51 million.

1972 - ITT spins off Avis as a public company.

1973 - Avis is recognized as the market leader in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

1977 - Norton Simon, Inc. buys Avis for $174 million.

1979 - Avis enters a worldwide advertising and marketing agreement with General Motors and begins featuring GM cars in its fleet worldwide.

1984 - Beatrice buys Esmark for $2.5 billion, with Avis included again.

1986 - The investment firm, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. buys Beatrice for $6.2 billion; says it will sell Avis.

In 1987 the growing demand from satisfied Customers led him to devote himself to train new chauffeurs, motivated and ready to fulfill Customers' wishes, offering the same quality and excellence sought by the owner.

1989 - Avis Cares®, a multifaceted program designed to increase renter/employee-owner safety, is introduced.

1992 - Avis earns second on-site visit by Baldrige examiners.

1997 - Avis becomes a public company with a successful initial public offering.

1999 - Avis continues to purchase franchisees and acquires the fleet management and fuel card businesses of PHH and Wright Express to form Avis Group Holdings, Inc.

The car rental industry, along with the airlines and other forms of travel, suffered a major blow in 2001 following the terrorist attacks in New York City.

2002 - Avis is ranked highest for customer loyalty among 158 companies evaluated for the Brand Keys® Customer Loyalty Awards.

2004 - Avis launches Avis Access - the first car rental offerings for travelers with disabilities.

2005 - Cendant announces it will split into four separate companies.

2007 - Avis launches Avis First, a new customer loyalty program for frequent renters

2009 - Avis upgrades where2 GPS device with flight status feature provided by MSN® Direct

2011 - Avis Budget Group, Inc. acquires Avis Europe plc.