Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Avis and Budget Roll Out Where2(TM) GPS System in Canada
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Will Become the First Rental Car Company to Offer GPS Navigation With Real-Time Traffic Alerts and Bluetooth Capability
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 23 -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. today announced that Avis and Budget customers can now rent Where2, the fully portable Global Positioning System (GPS) built by Garmin, a leader in GPS navigation, at rental locations throughout Canada. Beginning today, Where2 will be available at Avis airport rental locations in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, St. Johns, and Halifax. Budget will feature Where2 units at airport rental locations in Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax. With the introduction of Where2 into Canada, Avis Budget Group now leads the industry in providing GPS navigation with units available for rent at 386 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Beginning in the second quarter of 2007, Where2 will be the only GPS available for rent in Canada to feature real-time traffic updates of Canadian roadways. The system not only notifies drivers of traffic delays on their route, but also offers alternative directions to help navigate around the traffic.
Based on Garmin's popular new StreetPilot c550 device, Where2 offers Avis and Budget customers an array of navigation features -- a simple user interface, Bluetooth hands-free calling capability, directions spoken in English, French, and a variety of other languages, 3-dimensional maps, a high-bright display and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver.
"We are committed to enhancing the productivity of business travelers, and making leisure travel more convenient," said William Boxberger, vice president and general manager of Avis Budget Group, Canada. "In addition, as drivers use the new service they will enjoy the added safety benefit that comes from being able to keep their eyes on the road at all times since the directions are 'spoken' to the driver. We're very excited to introduce Where2 to Avis and Budget customers in Canada."
Motorists who have never tried using GPS navigation will quickly master the device's intuitive menus. Where2 gives drivers turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions to virtually any destination in Canada, the U.S. or Puerto Rico, all on a bright and easy-to-read touch screen display. Pre-loaded road maps include addresses and nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and tourist attractions. Where2 has a text-to-speech feature available in 20 text languages with 36 voice options that speaks the name of the next turn ("turn right on Main Street") instead of simply calling out distances ("turn right in 500 feet") -- particularly useful on busy and unfamiliar roadways.
Where2 is also programmed with all Avis and Budget locations as well as Avis and Budget reservation and roadside assistance contact information, airline contact information for 250 carriers worldwide, and a unique guide to nearby AM/FM radio stations.
Pricing is $9.95 per day or $49.75 per week. Avis customers can reserve Where2 via the company's website at www.avis.ca, by calling 1-800-879-2847 or contacting a local travel professional. Budget customers can reserve the system at www.budget.com, by calling 1-800-527-0700 or contacting a local travel professional.
About Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group (NYSE:CAR) is a leading provider of vehicle rental services, with operations in more than 70 countries. Through its Avis and Budget brands, the Company is the largest general-use vehicle rental operator in each of North America, Australia, New Zealand and certain other regions. Avis Budget Group is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. and has more than 30,000 employees. For more information on Avis Budget Group, visit www.avisbudgetgroup.com.
FCMN Contact: susan.mcgowan@avisbudget.com
Source: Avis Budget Group, Inc.
CONTACT:
Susan McGowan
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
+1-973-496-3916
susan.mcgowan@avisbudget.com
Web site: www.avis.ca/
http://www.budget.com/
http://www.avisbudgetgroup.com/
