PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), a leading global provider of comprehensive mobility solutions, today announced a landmark multi-year strategic partnership with Waymo, the recognized leader in the development and deployment of fully autonomous driving technology. This transformative alliance is established to facilitate the launch and accelerated scaling of a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Dallas, Texas, marking a significant evolution in urban transportation and fleet management. This collaboration unites Waymo’s groundbreaking self-driving expertise with Avis Budget Group’s extensive, decades-long experience in large-scale vehicle management, positioning both companies at the forefront of the future of mobility.
Under the terms of this pivotal agreement, Avis Budget Group will serve as Waymo’s exclusive fleet operations partner in Dallas. This role is far more than traditional vehicle rental; it encompasses a full spectrum of critical, end-to-end services essential for the seamless operation of an autonomous fleet. Avis Budget Group’s responsibilities will include providing sophisticated infrastructure, ensuring meticulous vehicle readiness for daily service, managing comprehensive maintenance programs to guarantee optimal performance and safety, and overseeing robust depot operations to handle vehicle storage and servicing. This holistic operational support system is foundational to enabling the Waymo Driver to operate at scale, ensuring a consistently high-quality experience for riders.
Waymo will retain its core responsibility for the advanced technology that powers the service. The company will manage the rigorous validation and performance of the Waymo Driver, its state-of-the-art self-driving technology. The fully autonomous ride-hailing service will be offered directly to the public through the proprietary Waymo app, providing a seamless, on-demand transportation experience. Initial testing and operational pilots of the service are already underway in Dallas, with the highly anticipated public launch slated for 2026.
For over 75 years, Avis has been a global leader in the rental car industry, building a reputation for reliability and operational excellence. This new strategic partnership with Waymo is a clear reflection of the company’s ambitious vision to expand its identity and grow beyond its traditional travel-centric business model. It signals a strategic shift to actively shape the future of mobility. This agreement demonstrates Avis Budget Group’s unique and powerful ability to monetize its core strengths in large-scale, intricate fleet management by applying them within a high-growth, technology-driven category. By providing the essential operational backbone for autonomous vehicle networks, Avis is establishing its place as a strong, indispensable partner in the next generation of transportation.
Brian Choi, Chief Executive Officer of Avis Budget Group, Inc., commented on the significance of the partnership, stating, “Our partnership with Waymo marks a pivotal milestone in our evolution, from a rental car company to a leading provider of fleet management, infrastructure and operations to the broader mobility ecosystem. Together, we’re committed to making scaled autonomous mobility a reality for the people of Dallas, with plans to expand to additional cities in the near future.”
Echoing this enthusiasm, Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO, Waymo, added, “We look forward to bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the people of Dallas next year, offering a new era of safe and seamless transportation. Working together with our fleet partner Avis, Waymo will offer more riders a stress-free way to get around.”
This partnership represents a synergistic fusion of technological innovation and operational mastery. Waymo and Avis are proud to collectively usher in a new era of urban transportation for the people of Dallas. The companies look forward to this initial, groundbreaking phase of their partnership and are fully committed to scaling autonomous mobility to more cities together over time, transforming how people and goods move in the years to come.
- The autonomous vehicle market is projected to be a multi-trillion-dollar industry by the end of the decade, with ride-hailing services representing a significant portion of that growth.
- Waymo has driven tens of millions of miles on public roads in fully autonomous mode and billions of miles in simulation, amassing an unparalleled amount of data and experience that contributes to the safety and reliability of its technology.
- Avis Budget Group’s vast existing network of maintenance facilities, vehicle logistics infrastructure, and skilled operational staff provides a ready-made, scalable foundation that is difficult for a technology company alone to replicate.
- Autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce traffic accidents caused by human error, increase road capacity, and improve transportation accessibility for people with disabilities or those who cannot drive.
ABOUT AVIS BUDGET GROUP
Avis Budget Group is a leading global provider of mobility solutions, operating through its iconic Avis and Budget brands, which collectively boast approximately 10,250 rental locations across approximately 180 countries worldwide. The company is also the parent of Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network. We operate the majority of our car rental locations directly in key regions such as North America, Europe, and Australasia, while leveraging a strong network of licensees in other parts of the world. Headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., Avis Budget Group continues to evolve its business model to meet the changing needs of consumers and businesses in the dynamic mobility landscape. More information about the company is available at avisbudgetgroup.com.
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