Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Avis Budget Attributes Revenue Growth to Summer Demand

Avis Budget Group has reported revenue of $2.8 billion for its third quarter 2017, a company record. Due to the impact of the hurricanes, the company lowered its full-year earnings forecast.

by Staff
November 7, 2017
Avis Budget Attributes Revenue Growth to Summer Demand

Photo via Raysonho/Wikimedia

2 min to read


Photo via Raysonho/Wikimedia

Avis Budget Group has reported revenue of $2.8 billion, a company record, for its third quarter 2017, a 4% growth compared to Q3 2016. This is primarily due to a 5% increase in overall rental days from summer demand.

In the third quarter, Avis Budget reported adjusted earnings of $482 million, a 3% growth compared to the prior year, and an adjusted net income of $260 million, an increase of 15%, according to the company.

Ad Loading...

For the Americas (North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean), revenue growth resulted from a 1% increase in volume and a 2% increase in time and mileage revenue per day — partially offset by lower ancillary revenue, according to the company. Per-unit fleet costs increased 5% in the quarter, which was partially offset by a 1% improvement in utilization.

In the Americas, adjusted earnings decreased 1% in third quarter. Avis Budget estimates that the hurricanes negatively impacted revenue by $5 million and adjusted earnings by about $15 million due to the loss of revenue from business disruption and property damage, according to the company.

"We had a record third quarter with both pricing and utilization improving in the Americas, strong volume growth partially offset by lower pricing in our international segment, and a relentless focus on cost reduction globally," said Larry De Shon, Avis Budget Group’s president and CEO. 

"During the quarter, hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused massive devastation across large parts of the United States and Puerto Rico, and I am proud of our teams who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of our employees and their families, as well as their work to move vehicles to the affected areas to support our customers and the relief agencies,” added De Shon. “As a consequence of the hurricanes, we have updated our full year outlook to reflect the impact of the operational disruption we faced during the quarter."

For the full-year 2017, Avis Budget expects that full-year revenue will increase $8.8 billion to $8.9 billion. Adjusted earnings are predicted to be $725 million to $745 million, according to the company.

More Rental Operations

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 →
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 →
Ad Loading...
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 →
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 →
Globe image with Text: GBTA Business Travel Forecast

Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027

Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car rental sign with financial graph in background
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 2, 2026

Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations

Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.

Read More →
car rental booking engine on computer screen with text: Bookings aren't the whole story
Rental OperationsAugust 1, 2026

Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day

A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.

Read More →
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownJuly 31, 2026

This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See

This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A counter agent chats with a customer over a rental counter
Rental OperationsJuly 21, 2026

The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns

Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.

Read More →
Ad Loading...