| Warren Avis | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 4, 1915 Bay City, Michigan, United States |
| Died | April 24, 2007 (age 91) 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.[1]
Avis opened Avis Rent A Car at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan and at Miami International Airport in Florida. [2] He sold the company in 1954 for $8 million.
Avis would later head Avis Enterprises which invested in high tech electronic companies.[3]
He was inducted in to the Automotive Hall of Fame.[4]
He died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan of natural causes. [5] His remains are interred at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Bay City.[4]
Research shows that Warren Avis may be related to the House of Aviz, a ruling dynasty in Portugal during the 1500s and 1600's.
References
- ^ Warren Avis, car rental pioneer, dies at 92
- ^ Patton, Naomi R. (April 25, 2007). Warren Avis: His idea led to airport rental car firms. Detroit Free Press
- ^ Warren Avis
- ^ a b Warren Avis memorial at Find a Grave.
- ^ Barbaro, Michael (April 25, 2007). Warren E. Avis, 92, Founder of Car Rental Company, Dies. New York Times
External links
- Warren E. Avis via Automotive Hall of Fame
- Avis history
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