- Avis, Warren Edward
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▪ 2008American businessmanborn Aug. 4, 1915 , Bay City, Mich.died April 24, 2007 , Ann Arbor, Mich.was the pioneering founder in 1946 of Avis Rent-a-Car, which became the first car-rental agency to be based at an airport. Avis, a frequent flyer who identified a need for securing quick ground transportation after disembarking from a plane, launched his first Avis Airlines Rent-a-Car in Ypsilanti, Mich., despite naysayers' predictions that his venture would fail. Within a few years his firm established itself as the second largest car-rental company worldwide, with franchises operating in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The company capitalized on its seemingly unenviable number two position in the industry behind Hertz by proclaiming, “We try harder.” The effective tagline helped the company become one of the world's best-known brands. Avis, who sold his company in 1954 for $8 million, was inducted in 2000 into the Automotive Hall of Fame. He later dabbled in real-estate development, electronics, and sporting goods. Avis also wrote several books, including Take a Chance to Be First (1986), a memoir that recounted the Avis Rent-a-Car story.
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Universalium. 2010.