Avis Budget Group to strengthen data capabilities as it grows to a 100 percent global connected car fleet, providing access to secure cloud storage, powerful data analytics and tools
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR) today announced its plan to leverage Amazon Web Services’s (AWS) Connected Vehicle Solution to build its cutting edge data analytics platform. Working with AWS provides highly secure and scalable cloud services for Avis Budget Group’s global connected car platform. Avis Budget will leverage AWS’s capabilities for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Management to develop a wide variety of innovative connected vehicle applications and mobility services. Avis Budget Group currently has more than 100,000 connected cars globally and has committed to a fully connected fleet by 2020. Data intelligence and data-as-a-service stemming from connected cars are expected to increase operational efficiencies for the Company and benefit smart city planning.
“Our connected car data is manufacturer agnostic, meaning we have the ability to analyze data across makes and models, and our worldwide footprint gives us access to all corners of the globe,” said Arthur Orduña, chief innovation officer, Avis Budget Group. “The platform we built leveraging AWS’s connected vehicle solution gives us advanced data management and scalable analytics capabilities for our connected car platform. We now have the ability to scale up based on demand and our data is backed by AWS’s software and massive infrastructure, so we have access to new insights-driven tools, storage resources, and first-class security.”
Connected car data provides Avis Budget Group significant opportunity to streamline operations and reduce costs. This includes real-time inventory counts, mileage management and automated maintenance notification. Connected car data also allows for more sophisticated tracking of idle vehicles and automated processing of cars ready to rent. AWS supports Avis Budget Group’s initiative to retain and manage a virtual environment with worldwide consistency across the operating system, programming language, web application platform, database, and other services needed. AWS’s focus on security will also ensure the integrity and protection of connected car data and other data sets to be stored by Avis Budget Group, a critical component for the continued growth of the global Internet of Things (IoT) market.
“For public and private organizations who choose to partner with Avis Budget Group down the road, we’ll be able to provide access to anonymized connected car data through our connected vehicle platform with the support of AWS. This could help create future vehicle innovation, new products, and services for connected travelers and inform smart city planning, like road condition and traffic volume data,” said Orduña.
This announcement deepens an already existing relationship between Avis Budget Group and Amazon, which dates back to 2017 when Avis launched a skill for Amazon Alexa. This year, the two companies also announced that Amazon customers who book an Avis or Budget vehicle can save money on their rental and receive an Amazon.com Gift Card.
About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of mobility solutions, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 11,000 rental locations in approximately 180 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world’s leading car sharing network, with more than one million members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australasia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 31,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. More information is available at www.avisbudgetgroup.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the anticipated benefits of data intelligence and data-as-a-service and the Company’s anticipated benefits from connected vehicles. 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, 2017, and in other filings and furnishings made by the Company with the SEC from time to time. Except to the extent required by applicable 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.
Contact: Alice Pereira Avis Budget Group (973) 496-3916 PR@avisbudget.com