Press Release Details

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) today announced the launch of its first-ever "Mobility Lab" that serves as a test bed for fully connected vehicles and operations in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area.

Avis Budget Group's Mobility Lab comprises more than 20 Avis Car Rental locations, including Kansas City International Airport and Nebraska's Eppley Airfield and Lincoln Airport, and features a fleet of 5,000 connected cars. This connectivity allows for seamless communication with the Company's fleet management platform and the Avis mobile app. The Mobility Lab also positions the Company to collaborate with municipalities around the globe as they move forward with Smart City initiatives.

"Our Mobility Lab in the greater Kansas City area extends our next-generation mobility initiatives," said Larry De Shon, president and chief executive officer, Avis Budget Group. "The steps we're taking with connected car and smart technologies will increase customer satisfaction as well as reduce operational costs in the near term, while also preparing us to meet the evolving needs of consumers, entrepreneurs, corporations and governments, like the City of Kansas City, a recognized global leader for its Smart City advancements."

Avis Budget Group's Mobility Lab underscores the Company's commitment to drive innovation to enhance the customer experience across their entire journey. Avis customers renting from airport and off-airport locations in the Kansas City area can control the entire rental experience right from their smart phones. This includes making, changing or managing their reservation, extending their rental and locking and unlocking the car's doors.

Leveraging connected car capabilities, the Mobility Lab will deliver operational efficiencies by providing real-time inventory counts, mileage management and automated maintenance notification. This data will facilitate the enhancement and optimization of the Company's fleet management capabilities and provide scalable benefits as the Company increases its number of connected cars moving forward.

From a city perspective, connected fleet data can add depth and accuracy to street condition data and traffic volume data. "Kansas City has a fully integrated suite of smart city initiatives in our community that make it a better place for our citizens and visitors. Partnering with Avis Budget Group allows us to make that experience even more efficient and responsive to the needs of 21^st Century Kansas Citians and our visitors," said Mayor Sly James.

In May, Avis Budget Group announced a transformation of its U.S. fleet which would result in 50,000 more vehicles becoming fully connected cars by early 2018; bringing the total number of connected cars to more than 100,000. The Company has also committed to operating a fully connected global fleet by 2020.

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 Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 30,000 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 that 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. 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, 2016 and in other filings and furnishings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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
(973) 496-3916     
PR@avisbudget.com