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Avis Grows Revenue 7%, Record $2 Billion in Q1

Revenue growth was driven by a 5% increase in total rental days and strong pricing.

May 7, 2018
Avis Grows Revenue 7%, Record $2 Billion in Q1

Photo via Travelarz/Wikimedia. 

Photo via Travelarz/Wikimedia.​

1 min to read


In the first quarter of 2018, Avis Budget Group reported an increase in revenue of 7% compared to 2017 based on a 5% increase in total rental days and strong pricing in the Americas.

Net loss for the quarter narrowed from $107 million in 2017 to $87 million, while adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) improved by $29 million, driven by a 4% reduction in per-unit fleet costs.

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"The first quarter has our year starting on a very positive note with strong demand, higher underlying pricing in the Americas, improved utilization and lower per-unit fleet costs," Larry De Shon, Avis Budget Group president and chief executive officer, said in a press release. “With both pricing and fleet costs in the Americas having stabilized, the benefits of our strategic initiatives were clearly evident this quarter with year-over-year profitability improving significantly."

Internationally, revenue growth was driven by 9% higher volume offset by lower pricing and other costs.

Avis Budget Group reaffirmed its full-year estimates of revenues from $9.2 to $9.45 billion and adjusted net income of $240 to $310 million.


Related Content: Avis Budget Group 2017 Results: Revenues Up, Adjusted Income Down

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