Warren Avis

Infobox Person
name = Warren Avis


image_size =
caption =
birth_date = August 4, 1915
birth_place = Bay City, Michigan, United States
death_date = April 24, 2007 (age age|1915|8|4|2007|4|24)
death_place = Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
occupation = Founder of Avis Rent A Car System Inc.

Warren Edward Avis (August 4, 1915 – April 24, 2007) was an American entrepreneur who founded Avis Rent A Car System Inc. in 1946.

Born in Bay City, Michigan, Avis graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1933, and served in the United States Army Air Force during the Second World War. When he got out, he bought a stake in a Ford dealership and began his plan to rent cars at airports. He said that he got the idea when as a pilot he could not find ground transport at airports. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/24/america/NA-GEN-US-Obit-Avis.php Warren Avis, car rental pioneer, dies at 92] ]

Avis opened Avis Rent A Car at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan and at Miami International Airport in Florida. Patton, Naomi R. (April 25, 2007). Warren Avis: His idea led to airport rental car firms. "Detroit Free Press"] He sold the company in 1954 for $8 million.

Avis would later head Avis Enterprises which invested in high tech electronic companies. [ [http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/obituaries/display.var.1355554.0.0.php Warren Avis] ]

He died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan of natural causes. Barbaro, Michael (April 25, 2007). Warren E. Avis, 92, Founder of Car Rental Company, Dies. "New York Times"]

References

External links

* [http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honors/index.php?cmd=view&id=178&type=inductees Warren E. Avis] via Automotive Hall of Fame
* [http://www.avis.com.ph/about_us.php Avis history]

Persondata
NAME= Avis, Warren
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Founder of Avis Rent A Car System Inc.
DATE OF BIRTH= August 4, 1915
PLACE OF BIRTH= Bay City, Michigan, United States
DATE OF DEATH= April 24, 2007
PLACE OF DEATH= Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States