In 1946 Warren Avis opened the world’s first airport car rental location at Willow Run Airport, Detroit, with a total of three cars. Today, Avis operates from over 5,000 locations in 165 countries worldwide.

Avis is a trusted and award-winning brand with a long history of innovation in the car rental industry, and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty, with a commitment to true convenience and exceptional service.

In 1967 Zeda Car Rental and Tours (Pty) Ltd was established in Bloemfontein. Shortly thereafter, Federale Volksbeleggings Bpk, a division of Sanlam, acquired a majority shareholding in the company.  Shortly thereafter, Federale went into a joint venture with Avis Rent-A-Car Systems Incorporated.

Zeda Car Rental and Tours adopted the Avis Rent-a-Car name in 1969 and the brand was officially launched in South Africa.

Between 2007 and 2009, Avis spent in the region of R250 million on upgrading its turnaround facilities and selected rental branches around the country. In 2009, Avis became the first car rental company to become carbon neutral.