Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Avis Budget Increases Full-Year Revenue by 2%

Avis Budget Group Inc. has reported revenue of $8.7 billion for full-year 2016, an increase of 2% compared to 2015. For its fourth quarter 2016, Avis earned revenue of $1.9 billion, a 1% drop year-over-year.

by Staff
February 16, 2017
Avis Budget Increases Full-Year Revenue by 2%

Photo via Wikimedia

2 min to read


Photo via Wikimedia

Avis Budget Group Inc. has reported revenue of $8.7 billion for full-year 2016, an increase of 2% compared to 2015, according to the company. The increase was driven by a 3% rise in rental days, partially offset by a 2% decline in pricing.

Adjusted earnings for 2016 were $838 million while net income was $273 million, says the company.

Ad Loading...

For its fourth quarter 2016, Avis reported revenue of $1.9 billion, a 1% decrease compared to fourth quarter 2015, primarily due to 1% decreases in rental days and pricing in the Americas and a 5% drop in international pricing.

In the fourth quarter, Avis reported its adjusted earnings at $121 million and saw a net loss of $31 million. According to the company, results were impacted by lower pricing and higher per-unit fleet costs.

The company’s adjusted earnings for Q4 and full-year 2016 exclude a charge of $26 million ($16 million net tax) related to a recent judgment against Avis in a personal-injury trial.

“While our fourth quarter results reflect softer-than-expected volume and pricing, as well as currency movements having a $7 million adverse impact on Adjusted EBITDA compared to what we had anticipated, we are enthusiastic about our prospects for 2017 and beyond," said Larry De Shon, CEO of Avis Budget Group. "Our strategic initiatives are already beginning to deliver meaningful benefits, and we continue to expect that our efforts will drive substantial long-term margin growth."

For North America, revenue declined 1% primarily due to a 1% decrease in rental days and a 1% drop in pricing, according to the company. Adjusted earnings decreased to $101 million in Q4 because of lower revenue and higher per-unit fleet costs. Fleet costs increased 4% to $308 per month during Q4.

For 2017, Avis Budget expects its worldwide revenue to increase 2% to 3% to $8.8 to $8.95 billion, according to the company. Currently, movements in currency exchange rates are predicted to negatively impact revenue growth by about $130 million.

Ad Loading...

In North America, rental days are predicted to increase 1% to 2% in 2017. Pricing is expected to increase between 0% and 1%, with no significant impact from currency exchange rates, says the company. Per-unit costs are predicted to be $311 to $321 — compared to $311 in 2016.

For total company fleet costs, Avis Budget expects $280 to $290 per month, compared to $285 in 2016.

More Rental Operations

plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownSeptember 15, 2026

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 →
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operationsby StaffSeptember 15, 2026

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 →
A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental OperationsSeptember 14, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
map of europe and summer car rental rates
Rental OperationsSeptember 11, 2026

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 →
thumbnail of Chris Brown and Mike DeLorenzo with title Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownSeptember 8, 2026

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 →
Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental OperationsSeptember 1, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 25, 2026

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 H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

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 →
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

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 →
Ad Loading...