Company Description
Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR) is a global company in the passenger car rental and mobility solutions industry. According to the company’s public disclosures, it operates through the Avis, Budget, Payless and Zipcar brands, serving a broad range of travel and mobility needs. Avis and Budget together have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 180 countries around the world, while Zipcar is described by the company as the world’s leading car sharing network. Avis Budget Group is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey and its common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CAR.
The company states that it is a global provider of mobility solutions, with a core focus on automotive vehicle rental and car-sharing services. Through its Avis and Budget brands, it participates in the travel industry by offering car rental services to different customer segments. The Polygon description notes that Avis is targeted to serve premium commercial and leisure segments of the travel industry, while Budget is focused on value-conscious customers. In addition, Avis Budget Group licenses its brands to franchisees and operates its own network of rental locations, combining company-operated and licensee-operated sites in its global footprint.
Zipcar, part of Avis Budget Group, is described as a car-sharing service that allows members to use a company-owned fleet at an hourly rate. In the company’s more recent press releases, Zipcar continues to be characterized as the world’s leading car sharing network. This positions Avis Budget Group in both traditional car rental and newer, membership-based car-sharing models. The company’s disclosures also reference Payless as one of its brands, further extending its presence in the vehicle rental market.
Geographic operations and network
Avis Budget Group reports that its Avis and Budget brands have approximately 10,250 rental locations in about 180 countries. It states that it operates most of its car rental locations in North America, Europe and Australasia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. This mix of directly operated locations and licensees allows the company to maintain a large international footprint while working with local partners in many markets.
The company’s news releases emphasize that it operates in a continuously changing business environment and that it is exposed to factors such as travel demand, economic conditions, fuel and vehicle costs, and regulatory changes in the countries where it does business. These disclosures appear in the risk factor and forward-looking statement sections of its earnings-related press releases and SEC filings.
Business model and key metrics
Based on the company’s own descriptions, Avis Budget Group generates revenue primarily from vehicle rental and car-sharing services delivered through its brands. It measures performance principally using the following key metrics: rental days, revenue per day, vehicle utilization, and per-unit fleet costs. The company explains that rental days, revenue per day and vehicle utilization are all calculated based on the actual rental of a vehicle during a 24-hour period. It also notes that it presents currency exchange rate effects on its key metrics to provide a method of assessing performance excluding the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations.
The company’s disclosures highlight that fleet costs, used vehicle market conditions, travel demand, and the cost or supply of fuel, vehicle parts, energy and labor are important to its operations. These factors are discussed in detail in the risk factor sections of its earnings press releases and referenced SEC filings. Avis Budget Group also notes that it depends on third-party distribution channels, suppliers and co-marketing arrangements, and that it uses asset-backed securities and global lending markets to fund its vehicle fleet.
Mobility strategy and partnerships
In addition to traditional car rental and car sharing, Avis Budget Group has described initiatives that relate to the broader mobility ecosystem. In a press release announcing second quarter 2025 results, the company highlighted the launch of Avis First, which it describes as a premium product offering that provides a first-class car rental experience with concierge-level service and premium current-model-year vehicles. The company positions Avis First as a new class of rental experience designed for customers who expect elevated comfort and convenience.
On the same date, Avis Budget Group announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Waymo to launch and scale a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas. Under this agreement, the company states that it will serve as Waymo’s fleet operations partner in Dallas, providing end-to-end services including infrastructure, vehicle readiness, maintenance and depot operations. Waymo will offer its ride-hailing service directly to the public via the Waymo app and maintain responsibility for validation and performance of the Waymo Driver. Avis Budget Group characterizes this partnership as part of its evolution from a rental car company to a provider of fleet management, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem.
Capital structure and financing
Avis Budget Group’s SEC filings and press releases describe a capital structure that includes corporate debt, asset-backed securities tied to its vehicle fleet, and term loans. For example, an 8-K filed on September 19, 2025 details the issuance of asset-backed securities by its Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC subsidiary, secured by vehicles in its domestic fleet and related assets. Another 8-K dated July 21, 2025 discusses a Tenth Amendment to its Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, under which the company refinanced existing tranche B term loans with new tranche B term loans maturing in 2032.
In May 2025, Avis Budget Group announced the pricing of senior notes due 2032 through its subsidiaries Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC and Avis Budget Finance, Inc. The company stated that it intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness, including a floating rate term loan maturing in December 2025 and a portion of its outstanding fleet debt, and to pay related fees and expenses. These disclosures illustrate the company’s use of debt markets and asset-backed structures to fund operations and its vehicle fleet.
Regulatory filings and governance
Avis Budget Group files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Its 8-K filings in 2025 include reports on quarterly financial results, amendments to credit agreements, asset-backed securities issuances, amendments to its certificate of incorporation, and changes to cooperation agreements with significant shareholders. One 8-K dated July 31, 2025 notes that stockholders approved amendments to the company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, including changes to director removal vote requirements, voting privileges for preferred stock amendments, and officer exculpation provisions.
Another 8-K dated September 8, 2025 describes a second amendment to a Fourth Amended and Restated Cooperation Agreement with SRS Investment Management, LLC and certain of its affiliates. The amendment revises the voting cap on voting securities beneficially owned by SRS, sets a board size cap while SRS holds at least a specified percentage of voting securities, and addresses board composition and transfer restrictions for large shareholders. These filings provide insight into the company’s governance arrangements and its relationships with significant investors.
Risk factors highlighted by the company
In its earnings releases and referenced SEC filings, Avis Budget Group outlines a range of risks that could affect its operations and financial performance. These include competition in the mobility industry, changes in fleet costs, the financial condition of vehicle manufacturers, volatility in travel demand, economic conditions, terrorism, pandemics, severe weather events, military conflicts, trade disputes, tariffs, and sanctions. The company also notes risks related to fuel and energy costs, labor, the performance of the used vehicle market, dependence on third-party distribution channels and suppliers, litigation and regulatory inquiries, data protection and cybersecurity, tax obligations, indebtedness and access to financing.
These risk disclosures are presented as part of the company’s forward-looking statements, where it cautions that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The company refers investors to its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for additional information on risk factors and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.
Stock information
Avis Budget Group’s common stock has a par value of $0.01 per share and is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. According to multiple 8-K filings, the company’s shares trade on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol CAR. These filings confirm that the company is not classified as an emerging growth company under SEC rules.
FAQs about Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR)
- What does Avis Budget Group, Inc. do?
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is described in its public disclosures as a global provider of mobility solutions. It offers automotive vehicle rental and car-sharing services through brands including Avis, Budget, Payless and Zipcar. Its activities span traditional car rental and membership-based car sharing.
- Which brands are part of Avis Budget Group?
According to the company’s press releases, Avis Budget Group operates the Avis, Budget and Payless car rental brands and the Zipcar car-sharing brand. These brands together have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 180 countries around the world.
- Where does Avis Budget Group operate its rental locations?
The company states that it operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australasia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. This structure combines company-operated locations with licensee-operated locations across about 180 countries.
- How does Avis Budget Group describe its key performance metrics?
In its earnings releases, Avis Budget Group notes that it measures performance principally using rental days, revenue per day, vehicle utilization and per-unit fleet costs. These metrics are based on the actual rental of a vehicle during a 24-hour period, and the company also presents currency exchange rate effects on these measures.
- What is Zipcar’s role within Avis Budget Group?
Zipcar is described as the world’s leading car sharing network and is part of Avis Budget Group’s portfolio. The Polygon description notes that Zipcar allows members to use a company-owned fleet at an hourly rate, and the company’s more recent releases continue to position Zipcar as a core car-sharing brand.
- What is Avis First?
In a July 2025 press release, Avis Budget Group introduced Avis First as a premium, concierge-level car rental experience. The company describes Avis First as offering curbside pickup, premium vehicles and a personal concierge, and characterizes it as a new class of rental experience within its Avis brand.
- How is Avis Budget Group involved with autonomous ride-hailing?
In July 2025, Avis Budget Group announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Waymo to launch and scale a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas. Under this agreement, Avis Budget Group will act as Waymo’s fleet operations partner in Dallas, providing services such as infrastructure, vehicle readiness, maintenance and depot operations.
- On which exchange does Avis Budget Group trade and what is its ticker?
Multiple 8-K filings state that Avis Budget Group’s common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol CAR. The company’s common stock has a par value of $0.01 per share.
- How does Avis Budget Group finance its vehicle fleet?
SEC filings indicate that Avis Budget Group uses asset-backed securities and other financing arrangements to fund its vehicle fleet. For example, an 8-K dated September 19, 2025 describes the issuance of asset-backed securities secured by vehicles in its domestic fleet and related assets through its Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC subsidiary.
- Where is Avis Budget Group headquartered?
In its press releases and SEC filings, Avis Budget Group states that it is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. This location appears consistently across its public disclosures.
Stock Performance
Avis Budget (CAR) stock last traded at $99.90, down 0.54% from the previous close. Over the past 12 months, the stock has gained 72.5%. At a market capitalization of $3.5B, CAR is classified as a mid-cap stock with approximately 35.3M shares outstanding.
Latest News
Avis Budget has 10 recent news articles. Of the recent coverage, 1 article coincided with positive price movement and 9 with negative movement. Key topics include earnings, partnership. View all CAR news →
SEC Filings
Avis Budget has filed 5 recent SEC filings, including 5 Form 4. The most recent filing was submitted on March 21, 2026. SEC filings provide transparency into a company's financial condition, material events, and regulatory compliance. View all CAR SEC filings →
Insider Radar
Insider buying activity at Avis Budget over the past 90 days may reflect management confidence in the company's direction. Institutional investors and analysts often monitor insider purchases as a potential bullish indicator for the stock.
Financial Highlights
Avis Budget generated $11.7B in revenue over the trailing twelve months, and net income was -$889.0M, reflecting a -7.6% net profit margin. The company generated $3.3B in operating cash flow. With a current ratio of 0.72, short-term liquidity bears monitoring.
Upcoming Events
Short Interest History
Short interest in Avis Budget (CAR) currently stands at 8.2 million shares, down 3.9% from the previous reporting period, representing 23.9% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 49.9%. This high level of short interest suggests significant bearish sentiment among traders. With 16.5 days to cover, it would take significant time for short sellers to close their positions based on average trading volume.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Avis Budget (CAR) currently stands at 16.5 days, down 7.2% from the previous period. This elevated days-to-cover ratio indicates it would take over two weeks of average trading volume for short sellers to exit their positions, suggesting potential for a short squeeze if positive news emerges. The days to cover has increased 540.3% over the past year, indicating improving liquidity conditions. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 2.6 to 17.8 days.
CAR Company Profile & Sector Positioning
Avis Budget (CAR) operates in the Rental & Leasing Services industry within the broader Services-auto Rental & Leasing (no Drivers) sector and is listed on the NASDAQ.
Investors comparing CAR often look at related companies in the same sector, including Gatx Corp (GATX), Herc Holdings (HRI), WillScot Holdings (WSC), Air Lease Corp (AL), and Ryder Sys (R). Comparing financial metrics, valuation ratios, and stock performance across these peers can help investors evaluate CAR's relative position within its industry.