Avis Budget Group Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Customer Focus

Avis Budget Group, a global leader in the car rental and mobility space, has long served millions of customers through brands such as Avis, Budget and Zipcar. With a footprint in 180 countries and a large fleet of vehicles, the company has made significant strides in redefining the car rental experience through digital transformation and customer-centric innovation. To navigate this evolving landscape, Avis Budget Group appointed Ravi Simhambhatla as its Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Innovation Officer in July 2022.

Simhambhatla brings a wealth of experience from some of the world’s leading transportation and technology companies. Twice chief technology officer in the airline industry – first at United Airlines and later at Aer Lingus – he has a deep understanding of the complexities of the travel and mobility sectors. Simhambhatla also served as CTO of Customer Experience for Google’s Transportation Segment, where he helped shape digital strategies that improved traveler interactions across the transportation ecosystem. At Avis Budget Group, he is applying this unique expertise to leverage artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies to drive an exceptional customer experience and operational efficiency.

Transforming the customer experience through AI and Automation

Under Simhambhatla’s leadership, Avis Budget Group is using artificial intelligence to anticipate customer needs, improve processes and improve the overall rental experience.

Through automation and data-driven insights, the company seeks to minimize the time customers spend on traditionally lengthy procedures, such as picking up and returning vehicles.

“Our goal is to make renting a vehicle as frictionless as possible,” noted Simhambhatla. “Using artificial intelligence, we are able to anticipate and anticipate our customers’ needs, whether it’s the vehicle they may prefer, the length of their rental or additional services that will make their journey more comfortable.” Simhambhatla and team analyze each point in the customer journey to see where automation and AI can add value.

Increase operational efficiency with predictive analytics

Beyond customer experience, predictive analytics is an essential tool for Avis Budget Group to optimize fleet management and resource allocation. This includes using data to predict rental demand and maintain vehicle availability across locations, improving both cost efficiency and service reliability.

“We are a data-rich organization, which is a huge advantage,” he stressed. “With predictive analytics, we can align our vehicle fleet with demand patterns in a very efficient way, ensuring the right vehicles are available in the right places.” This approach also helps reduce unnecessary consumption of company assets, benefiting both the company and the customer.

Exploring the future of mobility

In addition to improving current operations, Avis Budget Group is also preparing for the future by exploring emerging trends such as electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and connected car technology. The company is investigating how these advances could shape the future of car rental, whether through sustainable fleet options or more autonomous and integrated rental experiences.

“We are excited about what the future holds for mobility and are committed to making Avis Budget Group a leader in this space,” underlined Simhambhatla. “Our focus on EV, AV and connected car technology reflects our desire to be at the forefront of these innovations.” He noted that creating a seamless and consistent experience for Avis Budget Group customers while adapting to new forms of transportation is essential.

Creating a culture of innovation and agility

Simhambhatla emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability within Avis Budget Group, where employees feel empowered to bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. He encourages teams to adopt an agile mindset and prioritize learning as the company continues to grow and evolve in response to industry changes.

“Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about creating an environment where people feel encouraged to think creatively and take calculated risks,” he explained. “We are working to build a culture at Avis Budget where our teams are inspired to be proactive and forward-thinking, especially as we embrace digital transformation.”

Building on a strong digital foundation

Avis Budget Group has already laid a strong digital foundation, with significant investments in mobile technology and digital customer-facing platforms. Simhambhatla sees this foundation as an essential part of the company’s strategy to keep pace with the digital demands of today’s customers.

“We are well positioned in terms of our digital capabilities, but there is always room to grow,” he noted. “Our goal is to constantly improve our digital platforms so that customers can interact with us in the way that suits them best, whether through an app, website or even voice technology.”

Peter High is President of The Metis Strategya business and IT consulting firm. He has written three best-selling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.