Warren Avis
| Warren Avis | |
|---|---|
| Born |
August 4, 1915 Bay City, Michigan, USA |
| Died |
April 24, 2007 (age 91) Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA |
| 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 in 1946.
Biography
Born in Michigan, Avis graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1933, and served in the United States Army Air Forces 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] On his paternal side, Avis is distantly related to the Portuguese royal dynasty House of Aviz, who ruled Portugal in the 14th century.[3] He was inducted into 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]
He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2000.[6][7]
References
- ↑ Warren Avis, car rental pioneer, dies at 92 Archived May 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Patton, Naomi R. (April 25, 2007). Warren Avis: His idea led to airport rental car firms. Detroit Free Press
- 1 2 Warren Avis
- 1 2 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
- ↑ "Warren Avis, car rental pioneer, dies at 92". Daily Mail. April 25, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Warren Avis". Hall of Fame Inductees. Automotive Hall of Fame. 1990. Retrieved March 8, 2016.