Avis Budget Group Introduces Off-Rental Purchasing Program
The ‘Ultimate Test Drive’ program lets customers test drive used Avis and Budget rental vehicles before purchasing one.
Avis Budget Group launched its Ultimate Test Drive Program on June 20, which allows customers to experience a used Avis or Budget vehicle for up to three days before they decide to purchase it.
In collaboration with AutoNation Inc., more than 75 used Avis and Budget makes and models will be available to customers at competitive prices. AutoNation Direct representatives will answer customer’s questions about financing, trade-in options, available warranties and related services before they make their decision.
The ultimate test drive vehicles are free to test drive for two hours or they can be driven for up to three days for a rental fee. If the customer decides to purchase the vehicle, the base rental fee will be refunded after the purchase is completed through AutoNation Direct.
The program is currently available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Nevada with plans to expand in the coming months.
Customers can shop online at www.avis.com or www.budget.com and schedule their "ultimate test drive" to experience driving a vehicle of their choice.
More Rental Operations
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →
Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →
U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%
Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.
Read More →
Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →
How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →