The history of Avis in the World
The first Avis office was opened in summer 1946 at the Willow Run Airport near Detroit.
Avis is the first organized car rental firm in the world. It was established by Mr. Warren Avis in Detroit in 1946. It reached a fleet size of 1200 in 1956 within 10 years.
In 1953, the international expansion started in Europe, Canada and Mexico thanks to the franchising transactions. Besides, it started to expand by opening its first licensed offices in San Francisco, Seattle and Denver. During this period of time, Avis expanded rapidly both in America and Europe. Reaching a fleet size of 7500 cars and a turnover of 25 millions in 1962, Avis has become a world famous company and adopted the motto "We try harder" in this period.
Avis continues growing in the international arena by establishing its offices in Europe, Africa and Middle East. It performs its corporate operations in the main cities of Europe. Expanding to Italy and France in 1965, the company increased its turnover from 74.5 million dollars to 425 million dollars and by the end of the 60s the number of countries where it operates has reached to above 100.
In 1976, the company has recorded a turnover of 433 million dollars with a fleet of 112.000 cars. Avis has become one of the largest car rental companies of the world in this period and served from 3.300 points all around the world. Today Avis provides service in 161 countries with its 4850 offices.
History of Avis in Turkey
In 07 August 1974, Avis was introduced to Turkey by Setur Travel Agency, of which the title was changed to Setur Rent a Car Inc later on, a member of Koç Holding Group companies. .
Until 1980, the rent a car sector in Turkey showed a very stable profile. However, after this date the great improvements and investments in Turkish Tourism sector have reflected the same performance to the rent a car sector as well. In this period, Avis Turkey has enlarged its fleet with new imported vehicles. While its fleet has reached to 1800 cars with the imported cars, its personnel number has reached to about 300 employees. This expansion stopped due to the Gulf War in 1991 and the relevant economic problems in the sector.
In 1992, Avis Turkey expanded its service network nationwide with its franchise offices. Having expanded its operations beyond the boundaries of Turkey as of 1997, Avis Turkey started rent a car services by establishing its organization in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The market domination of Avis, the sector leader since its establishment, is thanks to its quality service manner and utilization of the Worldwide computer network called "Wizard" which links Avis offices all around of the world to each other for sale and reservation.
Today, Avis Turkey is the sector leader with a fleet of 5850 cars, 26 main offices, 31 franchise, 1 foreign company and 157 employees. Since 2005, Avis Turkey operates under its new title of Otokoç Ticaret ve Sanayi A.Ş.