Tuesday 24th April 2007
Warren Edward Avis (91), the American entrepreneur, who founded Avis Rent A Car System Inc. in 1946, died.
Avis’ early career began as a sales man for a drug company, the working for the Michigan Department of Investigation where he was an agent investigating auto dealership. When WWII broke out, he enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps, serving from 1945-46. He flew 50 combat missions and was a major in air intelligence operations. He was highly honored for outstanding achievements, that earned him the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross, among others.
After the war Avis returned to Michigan, where in started a Ford dealership in Southfield, near Detroit, Michigan. In 1946 he started his car rental business at Willow Run Airport, where he started the first car rental service, an idea he developed from his experience at military airports. The airline industry was making rapid gains as the carrier of choice for traveling long distances, and Avis’ timing couldn’t have been better. The business was an instant winner and doing so well that he started second one at Miami Airport.
Hertz, the largest car rental business at the time, was slow to follow Avis’ lead, which allowed Avis to increase his business without any competition. The Avis Rent A Car business surged and Avis was quickly on his way to becoming a multi-millionaire. By 1954, Avis was developing an interest in other businesses, and that year he sold the car rental business to financier Richard S. Robie for $7.4 million. Avis kept himself busy with his new businesses of Avis Enterprises, Avis Sports, Inc. and in Avis Farms, a real estate business in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he had his residence and business headquarters. He also had a residence in Manhattan and a vacation home in Acapulco.
Avis was a true entrepreneur, he enjoyed dealing primarily with expanding his businesses, leaving management of them to qualified individuals. He enjoyed the life that his success brought to him, and had many friendships with other notable business men and entertainers.
In 2000, Avis was recognized for his business savy and achievements by the automobile industry being elected into the Automobile Hall of Fame, located in Dearborn, Michigan.
