Parsippany, NJ. 12-23-2008 —
Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NYSE: CAR), a leading provider of vehicle
rental services, today announced that it has completed the renewal of
its principal asset-backed bank conduit facility and its seasonal
conduit facility, which are used to finance cars for its rental fleet.
The facilities provide for $1.35 billion and $1.1 billion of financing,
respectively.
The
principal conduit facility has been extended through December 22, 2009,
and the seasonal conduit facility will have a final maturity in
November 2009 following 25% reductions in borrowing capacity in each of
September and October. The initial borrowing spreads for these annually
renewing facilities are unchanged from the levels established in
connection with the extension of the principal conduit facility in
October.
The Company also announced that it has completed an
amendment to its senior credit facilities to replace the leverage and
interest coverage ratios with a minimum EBITDA covenant. The amendment
also provides for a reduction to the revolving credit facility from
$1.5 billion to $1.15 billion and a 2.5% increase in the cost of
borrowings and letters of credit. The amendment is effective as of
today, subject to payment by the Company of amendment fees to lenders
who consent to the amendment by December 30, 2008.
About Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group
is a leading provider of vehicle rental services, with operations in
more than 70 countries. Through its Avis and Budget brands, the Company
is the largest general-use vehicle rental company in each of North
America, Australia, New Zealand and certain other regions based on
published airport statistics. Avis Budget Group is headquartered in
Parsippany, N.J. and has more than 28,000 employees. For more
information about Avis Budget Group, visit www.avisbudgetgroup.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words
"believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "projects",
"estimates", "plans", "may increase", "may fluctuate" and similar
expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will", "should",
"would", "may" and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and
not historical facts.
Various risks that could cause future
results to differ from those expressed by the forward- looking
statements included in this press release include, but are not limited
to, the downturn in the U.S. economy, the high level of competition in
the vehicle rental industry, greater than expected cost increases for
new vehicles, disposition of vehicles not covered by manufacturer
repurchase programs in the used vehicle marketplace, the financial
condition
of the auto manufacturers that supply our rental vehicles
which could impact their ability to perform their obligations under our
repurchase and/or guaranteed depreciation arrangements, a downturn in
airline passenger traffic, an occurrence or threat of terrorism, our
requirement for substantial capital, a disruption in our ability to
obtain financing for our operations, our ability to meet the financial
covenants contained in our senior credit facilities, any additional
significant increase in interest rates or borrowing costs, fluctuations
related to the mark-to-market of derivatives which hedge our exposure
to interest rates and fuel costs, the Company’s ability to execute on
its cost and efficiency plans and strategies, the effect of a potential
delisting of our shares from the NYSE and the Company’s ability to
accurately estimate its future results and implement its strategy for
growth. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material
adverse effects on Avis Budget Group’s performance or achievements. In
light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the
forward-looking events discussed in this press release may not occur.
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is
stated, as of the date of this press release. Important assumptions and
other important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified
in Avis Budget Group's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2008 and in future filings with the SEC, including
under headings such as "Forward-Looking Statements", “Risk Factors” and
"Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations". Except for the Company's ongoing obligations to
disclose material information under the federal securities laws, the
Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to
any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the
occurrence of unanticipated events unless required by law.
Contacts
Media Contact:
John Barrows
973-496-7865
Investor Contact:
David Crowther
973-496-7277
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