Warren Avis

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Warren Avis
Born August 4, 1915
Flag of the United States Bay City, Michigan, United States
Died April 24, 2007 (age 91)
Flag of the United States 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 died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan of natural causes. [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Warren Avis, car rental pioneer, dies at 92
  2. ^ Patton, Naomi R. (April 25, 2007). Warren Avis: His idea led to airport rental car firms. Detroit Free Press
  3. ^ Warren Avis
  4. ^ Barbaro, Michael (April 25, 2007). Warren E. Avis, 92, Founder of Car Rental Company, Dies. New York Times

[edit] External links


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


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