During its quarterly investor’s call, Avis Budget Group showed how it’s meeting demand in a dramatically disrupted environment, with insights into sourcing new local market business, the semiconductor chip shortage, and the return of corporate travel.
Despite historically low revenues for the fourth quarter, Avis achieved a historically high earnings margin after cutting $500 million in expenses.
Avis Budget Group announced third quarter net income of $45 million as a result of removing about $1 billion of costs for the quarter and taking advantage of the strong used vehicle market.
The extended furloughs are indefinite.
Brian Choi will assume the role of chief financial officer on August 24.
While revenue was down 78% in April, Avis Budget Group finished June down 59% from the prior year. Off-airport revenues are “close to pre-pandemic levels.”
In downgrading Avis Budget's rental car ABS, the ratings service shared a candidly pessimistic outlook for the return of travel demand and the car rental industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Along with ABG, the coalition includes RB, which is the maker of Lysol, and a team of medical professionals from leading institutions, including Columbia University, with expertise in public health, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases.
In an interview with CNBC, Avis Budget Group’s CEO Joe Ferraro was asked about how the company transitioned into the coronavirus environment and how the Hertz bankruptcy might affect Avis.
After a stint as interim CEO, Ferraro spent five years as president of the Americas division, responsible for the company’s Avis, Budget, Payless, and Zipcar brands in North and South America, including Latin America and the Caribbean.