UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
COMMISSION FILE NO. 001-10308
AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE | 06-0918165 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | |
6 SYLVAN WAY PARSIPPANY, NJ |
07054 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
973-496-4700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS |
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE | |
Common Stock, Par Value $.01 | The NASDAQ Global Select Market |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer ¨ | Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No þ
As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the registrants common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $1,774,858,793 based on the closing price of its common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. All executive officers and directors of the registrant have been deemed, solely for the purpose of the foregoing calculation, to be affiliates of the registrant.
As of January 31, 2012, the number of shares outstanding of the registrants common stock was 105,497,065.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants definitive proxy statement to be mailed to stockholders in connection with the Registrants annual stockholders meeting scheduled to be held on June 11, 2012 (the Annual Proxy Statement) are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
Item |
Description |
Page | ||||
PART I | ||||||
1 | 1 | |||||
1A | 16 | |||||
1B | 28 | |||||
2 | 28 | |||||
3 | 28 | |||||
4 | 29 | |||||
PART II | ||||||
5 | 30 | |||||
6 | 33 | |||||
7 | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
35 | ||||
7A | 51 | |||||
8 | 53 | |||||
9 | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
54 | ||||
9A | 54 | |||||
9B | 56 | |||||
PART III | ||||||
10 | 57 | |||||
11 | 57 | |||||
12 | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
57 | ||||
13 | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
57 | ||||
14 | 57 | |||||
PART IV | ||||||
15 | 58 | |||||
59 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be considered forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives. These statements may be identified by the fact that they do not relate to historical or current facts and may use words such as believes, expects, anticipates, will, should, could, may, would, intends, projects, estimates, plans, and similar words, expressions or phrases. The following important factors and assumptions could affect our future results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements:
| the high level of competition in the vehicle rental industry and the impact such competition may have on pricing and rental volume; |
| an increase in our fleet costs as a result of an increase in the cost of new vehicles, disruption in the supply of new vehicles, and/or a decrease in the price at which we dispose of used vehicles either in the used vehicle market or under repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs; |
| risks related to our acquisition of Avis Europe plc ( Avis Europe), including our ability to realize the synergies contemplated by the transaction and our ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Avis Europe and Avis Budget Group; |
| the results of operations or financial condition of the manufacturers of our cars, which could impact their ability to perform their payment obligations under the agreements we have with them, including repurchase and/or guaranteed depreciation arrangements, and/or their willingness or ability to make cars available to us or the rental car industry as a whole on commercially reasonable terms or at all; |
| any reduction in travel demand, including any reduction in airline passenger traffic; |
| any weakness in economic conditions generally, particularly during our peak season or in key market segments; |
| our ability to continue to achieve and maintain cost savings and successfully implement our business strategies; |
| our ability to obtain financing for our operations, including the funding of our vehicle fleet via the asset-backed securities and lending market consistent with current costs, and the financial condition of financial-guaranty firms that have insured a portion of our outstanding vehicle-backed debt; |
| an occurrence or threat of terrorism, pandemic disease, natural disasters or military conflict in the locations in which we operate; |
| our dependence on third-party distribution channels, third-party suppliers of other services and co-marketing arrangements with third parties; |
| our ability to utilize derivative instruments, and the impact of derivative instruments we currently utilize, which can be affected by fluctuations in interest rates, gasoline prices and exchange rates, changes in government regulations and other factors; |
| our ability to accurately estimate our future results; |
| a major disruption in our communication networks or information systems; |
| our exposure to uninsured claims in excess of historical levels; |
| our failure or inability to comply with laws, regulations or contractual obligations or any changes in laws, regulations or contractual obligations, including with respect to personally identifiable information; |
| any impact on us from the actions of our licensees, dealers and independent contractors; |
| substantial increases in the cost, or decreases in the supply, of fuel, vehicle parts, energy, labor or other resources on which we depend to operate our business; |
| risks related to our ability to meet our funding needs and our indebtedness, including our substantial outstanding debt obligations and our ability to incur substantially more debt; |
| our ability to meet the financial and other covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness; |
| the terms of agreements among us and our former real estate, hospitality and travel distribution businesses following the separation of those businesses from us in 2006, particularly with respect to the allocation of assets and liabilities, including contingent liabilities and guarantees, the ability of each of the separated companies to perform its obligations, including indemnification obligations, under these agreements, and the former real estate business right to control the process for resolving disputes related to contingent liabilities and assets; |
| risks associated with litigation involving our Company; |
| risks related to tax obligations and the effect of future changes in accounting standards; |
| risks related to future acquisitions or investments that we may pursue, including any incurrence of incremental indebtedness to help fund such transactions and our ability to promptly and effectively integrate any acquired businesses; and |
| other business, economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, political or technological factors affecting our operations, pricing or services. |
We operate in a continuously changing business environment and new risk factors emerge from time to time. New risk factors, factors beyond our control, or changes in the impact of identified risk factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Moreover, we do not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those statements. The discussion and analysis contained in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth in Item 7, in Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A and other portions of this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements and involve uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon assumptions and known risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, any or all of our forward-looking statements may prove to be inaccurate and we can make no guarantees about our future performance. Should unknown risks or uncertainties materialize or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could materially differ from past results and/or those anticipated, estimated or projected. Except to the extent of our obligations under the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events. For any forward-looking statements contained in any document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
PART I
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
Except as expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the Company, Avis Budget, we, our or us means Avis Budget Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and Avis Budget Car Rental or ABCR means Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC and its subsidiaries, which are the companies that comprise our vehicle rental operations. Avis and Budget refer to our Avis and Budget operations, respectively, and do not include the operations of our licensees, as further discussed below.
OVERVIEW
We operate two of the most recognized brands in the global vehicle rental industry through Avis and Budget. Avis is a leading rental car supplier positioned to serve the premium commercial and leisure segments of the travel industry and Budget is a leading rental car supplier focused primarily on more value-conscious segments of the industry. We are a leading vehicle rental operator in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and certain other regions we serve. We and our licensees operate the Avis and Budget brands in approximately 175 countries throughout the world. We generally maintain a leading share of airport car rental revenue in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and we operate one of the leading truck rental businesses in the United States.
Our car rental business enjoys significant benefits from operating two distinct brands that target different industry segments but share the same fleet, maintenance facilities, systems, technology and administrative infrastructure. We believe that Avis and Budget both enjoy complementary demand patterns with mid-week commercial demand balanced by weekend leisure demand. In 2011, we generated total revenues of $5,900 million. The Avis, Budget and Budget Truck brands accounted for approximately 64%, 30% and 6% of our revenue, respectively, in 2011. In October 2011 we expanded our international operations with the acquisition of Avis Europe plc (the Avis Europe Acquisition), making Avis Budget Group one of the largest vehicle rental companies in the world, and reuniting each of our Avis and Budget brands globally under a single company.
On average, our rental fleet totaled more than 393,000 vehicles and we completed more than 24 million vehicle rental transactions worldwide in 2011. In 2011, we derived approximately 74% of our $4.3 billion in total car rental time and mileage revenue from on-airport locations and approximately 26% of our time and mileage revenue from off-airport locations, which we refer to as our local market business. We also license the use of the Avis and Budget trademarks to licensees in areas in which we do not operate directly. Our brands have an extended global reach with approximately 10,000 car and truck rental locations throughout the world, including approximately 5,000 car rental locations operated by our licensees. We rent our fleet of approximately 26,000 Budget trucks through a network of approximately 1,850 dealer-operated and 300 Company-operated locations throughout the continental United States.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
We categorize our operations in three reporting segments: North America, consisting of our Avis and Budget car rental operations in the United States and our Avis and Budget vehicle rental operations in Canada; International, consisting of our Avis and Budget vehicle rental operations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, central America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand; and Truck Rental, consisting of our Budget truck rental operations in the United States. We revised our reporting segments following the Avis Europe Acquisition and for all periods presented below the reporting segments have been realigned and presented to conform with the current structure. Disclosure concerning our International segment includes operational and financial results of Avis Europe since October 2011. In 2011:
| North America. Our North America segment generated approximately 82 million rental days and average time and mileage revenue per day of $41.23 with an average rental fleet of approximately 311,000 vehicles; |
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| International. Our International segment generated approximately 14 million rental days and average time and mileage revenue per day of $49.31 with an average rental fleet of approximately 56,000 vehicles; and |
| Truck rental. Our Truck Rental segment generated approximately 4 million rental days and average time and mileage revenue per day of $71.15 with an average rental fleet of approximately 26,000 trucks. |
In 2011, our rental day volumes increased as travel demand rebounded from the 2008-09 recession, and our earnings increased substantially. We continued to realize substantial benefits from our cost-reduction efforts, including our Performance Excellence process improvement initiative to reduce expenses. We have achieved cost savings in numerous ways, including through:
| Implementation of process improvements impacting virtually all areas of our business; |
| Reductions in operating and selling, general and administrative expenses, including significant reductions in staff, many of which were trimmed from fixed and semi-fixed overhead; |
| A review of location, segment and customer profitability to identify and respond appropriately to unprofitable aspects of our businesses, which positively impacted our profit per transaction and our overall profitability but negatively impacted volume; |
| Targeted price increases and changes to our sales, marketing and affinity programs in order to improve revenue per day and overall profitability; |
| Reductions in fleet costs and further consolidation of purchasing programs; |
| Further consolidation of customer-facing and back-office functions and locations across our operations; and |
| Reduction in costs, primarily general and administrative expenses, as we begin to integrate the operations of Avis Europe. |
In 2011, we not only completed more than 24 million vehicle rental transactions worldwide, but also made significant progress toward our strategic objectives. We retained approximately 99% of our commercial contracts and maintained, expanded or entered into marketing alliances with key marketing partners. In 2011, Avis was named the leading car rental company in customer loyalty by the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index for the 12th consecutive year. Avis was also named North Americas Leading Car Hire for the sixth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards. We maintained consistently high levels of customer satisfaction, as measured by 750,000 responses to post-transaction surveys completed by our customers in 2011. We also continued our long-standing tradition of being an innovator in the car rental industry, piloting virtual rental transactions at unstaffed locations on corporate campuses through our On Location® program and offering portable satellite radio rentals. In 2011, as a result of our continued focus on such upgrades and sales of ancillary products and services, we again increased the revenues per rental day that we generate from car class upgrades, where2 GPS navigation unit rentals, loss damage waivers and insurance products, and other ancillary services.
In 2011, we maintained a diverse car rental fleet, in which no vehicle manufacturer represented more than 25% of our 2011 fleet purchases, and we continued to adjust our fleet levels to be consistent with demand. We continue to utilize sophisticated yield-management technology to optimize our pricing and fleet planning, and we continue to analyze and streamline our operations to gain efficiencies. In addition, our approximately 28,000 employees worldwide continue to provide reliable, high-quality vehicle rental services that foster customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
MARKET CONDITIONS AND OUTLOOK
For 2012, our objective is to focus on growing our business profitably, strengthening our position as a leading global provider of vehicle rental services and maintaining and enhancing efficiencies achieved through process improvement and other actions. We will also seek to gain efficiencies, strengthen our brands and reduce costs
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through effective integration and management of our recently acquired operations in Europe and Asia. We expect to achieve our goals by focusing our efforts on the following core strategic initiatives:
| Optimizing Our Two-Brand Strategy. We plan to continue to position our two distinct and well-recognized brands to focus on different segments of customer demand. With Avis as a premium brand preferred more by corporate and upscale leisure travelers, and Budget as a mid-tier brand preferred more by value-conscious travelers, we believe we are able to target a broad range of demand, particularly since the two brands share the same operational and administrative infrastructure while providing differentiated though consistently high levels of customer service. We aim to provide products, service and pricing, to use various marketing channels and to maintain marketing affiliations and corporate account contracts which complement each brands positioning. In 2012, we plan to continue to invest in our brands through a variety of efforts, including television commercials, print advertisements and on-line and off-line marketing. We see particular growth opportunities in Europe for Budget, as Budgets share of airport car rentals is significantly smaller in Europe than in other parts of the world. |
| Expanding Our Revenue Sources. We plan to continue to focus on promoting car class upgrades, adjusting our mix of vehicles to match customer demand, growing our rentals to small-business and international travelers and expanding our ancillary revenues derived from offering additional products and services to on- and off-airport customers. Opportunities for ancillary revenue growth include adding sales of insurance coverages, damage waivers and other ancillary products and services, such as electronic toll collection services, satellite radio and our where2 GPS navigation product, to the rental transactions of an increasing percentage of our renters. We also look to increase the proportion of transactions in which customers prepay us for their vehicle rentals. |
| Capturing Incremental Profit Opportunities. We plan to continue our focus on yield management and pricing optimization and seek to increase the time and mileage rental fees we earn per rental day. We have implemented technology, and will be adding additional systems, that strengthen our yield management and that enable us to tailor our product/price offerings to specific customer segments. We expect to continue to adjust our pricing to bolster profitability and match changes in demand. In addition, we believe the expansion of our revenue sources (as discussed above) should permit us to generate incremental profits from our customer base, while at the same time enhancing our customers vehicle rental experience. We plan to intensify our efforts to build customer loyalty and reduce customer acquisition costs through our Customer Led, Service Driven program that is intended to enhance our customers rental experience. |
| Controlling Costs and Promoting Efficiencies. We have continued our efforts to rigorously control costs. We have taken aggressive action to reduce expenses throughout the organization since 2008, and we expect to eliminate or reduce significant costs through the integration of Avis Europe. In addition, we continue to develop and implement our Performance Excellence process improvement initiative to increase efficiencies, reduce operating costs and create sustainable cost savings using LEAN, Six Sigma and other tools. This initiative, which we are expanding to cover our recently acquired operations in Europe and Asia, has generated substantial savings since its implementation and should continue to provide benefits in 2012. We have also implemented technology solutions, including self-service voice reservation technology and fleet optimization technologies, to reduce costs, and we will continue to pursue innovative solutions to support our strategic initiatives. We believe such steps will continue to aid our financial performance. |
| Mitigating Risks. We expect to continue to face challenges, as demand for travel services generally has not yet returned to the levels experienced before the economic recession, and we operate in a highly competitive industry. We seek to mitigate our exposure to risks in numerous ways, including delivering upon the core strategic initiatives described above and through continued optimization of fleet levels to match changes in demand for vehicle rentals, maintenance of liquidity to fund our fleet and our operations, and adjustments in the size, nature and terms of our relationships with vehicle manufacturers. |
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COMPANY HISTORY
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, whose operations consist of two of the most recognized brands in the global vehicle rental industry through Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, the parent of Avis Rent A Car System, LLC, Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. and Budget Truck Rental, LLC. Avis Rent A Car System, LLC and Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. also do business as Avis Car Rental and Budget Car Rental, respectively. Founded in 1946, Avis is believed to be the first company to rent cars from airport locations. Avis expanded its geographic reach throughout the United States through licensed and corporate-owned growth in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1963, Avis introduced its award winning We try harder® advertising campaign, which is considered one of the top ten advertising campaigns of the 20th century by Advertising Age magazine. Avis possesses a long history of innovation in its business, including the Wizard system, which is a well established and continually updated information-technology system that is the backbone of our operations. Budget was founded in 1958 as a car rental company for the value-conscious vehicle rental customer and grew its business rapidly during the 1960s, expanding its rental car offerings throughout North America and significantly expanding its Budget truck rental business in the 1990s.
We acquired the Avis brand in 1996, Avis capital stock in 2001 and the Budget brand and substantially all of the domestic and certain international assets of Budgets predecessor in 2002. We were created through a merger with HFS Incorporated in 1997 with the resultant corporation being renamed Cendant Corporation (Cendant). In 2006, Cendant completed a separation into four separate companies (the Separation): Realogy Corporation, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation, Travelport, Inc. and Cendant (now Avis Budget Group, Inc.), and we continue to manage the administration of certain legacy items which remain following the completion of the Separation. In October 2011, we expanded our international operations with the acquisition of Avis Europe, which was previously an independently-owned licensee operating the Avis and Budget brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Avis brand in Asia. The Avis Europe Acquisition has re-united the Avis and Budget brands globally under a single company, making Avis Budget Group one of the largest vehicle rental companies in the world. Our common stock currently trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol CAR.
CAR RENTAL BUSINESS
OperationsAvis
We operate or license the Avis car rental system (the Avis System), which is comprised of approximately 5,200 locations worldwide and represents one of the largest car rental systems in the world. The Avis System encompasses locations at most of the largest airports and cities in the world.
We operate approximately 2,100 Avis car rental locations worldwide, in both the on-airport and local rental markets. In 2011, our Avis operations generated total revenue of approximately $3.8 billion, of which approximately 78% (or $3.0 billion) was derived from North American operations. In addition, we license the Avis brand to other independent business owners in approximately 3,100 locations throughout the world. In 2011, approximately 68% of the Avis System total revenue was generated by our locations, including full-year revenue for locations acquired in the Avis Europe Acquisition, and the remainder was generated by locations operated by independent licensees, which generally pay royalty fees to us based on a percentage of applicable revenue.
The table below presents the approximate number of locations that make up the Avis System:
Avis System Locations | ||||||||||||
North America |
International | Total | ||||||||||
Company-operated locations |
1,200 | 900 | 2,100 | |||||||||
Licensee locations |
300 | 2,800 | 3,100 | |||||||||
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Total Avis System Locations |
1,500 | 3,700 | 5,200 | |||||||||
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In 2011, Avis derived approximately 57% and 43% of its car rental time and mileage revenue from commercial and leisure customers, respectively, and 73% and 27% of its car rental time and mileage revenue from customers renting at airports and locally, respectively. Time and mileage revenue (T&M) consists of fees charged to our customers specifically for vehicle rentals.
The Avis brand provides high-quality car rental services at price points generally above non-branded and value-branded national car rental companies. We offer Avis customers a variety of premium services, including:
| Avis Preferred, a counter bypass program, which is available at major airport locations; |
| where2, a navigation system that features Bluetooth hands-free calling and MP3 playback capability; |
| Avis Cool Cars, a line of fun-to-drive vehicles such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Infiniti FX35 and Chevrolet Corvette; |
| Avis Prestige, a line of luxury performance cars and stylish convertibles offered to our customers in Europe; |
| availability of eco-friendly vehicles, including gas/electric hybrid vehicles; |
| Roving Rapid Return, wireless technology that permits customers who are returning vehicles to obtain a printed charge record from service agents at the vehicle as it is being returned; |
| a 100% smoke-free car rental fleet in North America; |
| amenities such as Avis Blast, a portable satellite radio product, and Avis Access, a full range of special products and services for drivers and passengers with disabilities; |
| Avis Interactive, a proprietary management tool that allows corporate clients to easily view and analyze their rental activity via the Internet, permitting these clients to better manage their travel budgets and monitor employee compliance with applicable travel policies; and |
| Avis First, a customer loyalty program that rewards customers with additional benefits for frequent rentals. |
OperationsBudget
We operate or license the Budget vehicle rental system (the Budget System), which is comprised of approximately 3,050 car rental locations and represents one of the largest car rental systems in the world. The Budget System encompasses locations at most of the largest airports and cities in the world.
We operate approximately 1,100 Budget car rental locations worldwide. In 2011, our Budget car rental operations generated total revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, of which 89% (or $1.5 billion) was derived from North American operations. We also license the Budget System to independent business owners who operate approximately 1,950 locations worldwide. In 2011, approximately 69% of the Budget System total revenue was generated by our locations, including full-year revenue for locations acquired in the Avis Europe Acquisition, with the remainder generated by locations operated by independent licensees, which generally pay royalty fees to us based on a percentage of revenues.
The table below presents the approximate number of locations that make up the Budget System:
Budget System Locations | ||||||||||||
North America |
International | Total | ||||||||||
Company-operated locations |
850 | 250 | 1,100 | |||||||||
Licensee locations |
400 | 1,550 | 1,950 | |||||||||
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Total Budget System Locations |
1,250 | 1,800 | 3,050 | |||||||||
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In 2011, Budget derived approximately 28% and 72% of its car rental T&M revenue from commercial and leisure customers, respectively, and 77% and 23% of its car rental T&M revenue from customers renting at airports and locally, respectively.
Budget is a leading rental car supplier to the more value-conscious segments of the industry. Budget offers its customers Fastbreak, an expedited rental service for frequent travelers, which operates much like Avis Preferred, as well as where2 navigation units and Roving Rapid Return, as described above.
Reservations
Customers can make Avis and Budget car rental reservations through our Avis and Budget websites at avis.com and budget.com, through our reservation centers (also referred to as contact centers) at 1-888-777-AVIS and 1-800-BUDGET7, respectively, through online travel portals, travel agents, or through selected partners, including many major airlines. Travel agents can access our reservation systems through all major global distribution systems (GDSs) and can obtain information with respect to rental locations, vehicle availability and applicable rate structures through these systems. In 2011, we generated approximately 31% of our reservations through our Avis and Budget branded websites, 8% through our contact centers, 30% through GDSs, 6% through online travel agencies, 14% through direct-connect technologies and 11% through other sources. We use a voice reservation system which allows customers to conduct certain transactions such as confirmation, cancellation and modification of reservations using self-service interactive voice response technology. We have also developed mobile applications allowing customers to manage their car rental reservations on various mobile devices.
Marketing
Avis and Budget support their premium and value-conscious brand positions through a range of marketing channels and campaigns, including traditional media, such as television, radio and print advertising, as well as Internet and email marketing. Avis focuses its marketing around its industry-leading customer loyalty and its award-winning We try harder marketing campaign. Budget builds its marketing around retail advertising, key partnerships and online marketing campaigns, and in 2011 launched a new television advertising campaign.
We maintain strong links to the travel industry. Avis and Budget maintain marketing partnerships with several major airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. We also offer customers the ability to earn frequent traveler points with most major airlines frequent traveler programs, including Air Canada, Air New Zealand and Qantas. Avis and Budget are also affiliated with the frequency programs of major hotel companies, including Hilton Hotels Corporation, Hyatt Corporation, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Wyndham Worldwide. In 2011, we signed new agreements with Intercontinental Hotels Group, La Quinta Inns & Suites and MGM Resorts International. These arrangements provide incentives to loyalty program participants and provide us with cooperative marketing opportunities, including call transfer programs and online links with various partners websites.
In 2011, approximately 70% of vehicle rental transactions from our owned and operated Avis locations in North America were generated by travelers who rented from Avis under contracts between Avis and the travelers employers or through membership in an organization with whom Avis has a contractual affiliation (such as AARP and Costco). Avis also has marketing relationships with organizations such as American Express, MasterCard International and Sears, through which we are able to provide customers of these entities with incentives to rent from Avis. Avis licensees also generally have the option to participate in these affiliations. Avis also sponsors its own loyalty programs.
Additionally, we offer Unlimited Budget, a loyalty incentive program for travel agents established over ten years ago, which had approximately 19,000 travel agents actively enrolled as of December 31, 2011. Budget also offers the Budget Small Business Program, a program for small businesses that offers discounted rates, central billing options and rebates to its members. Budget has contractual arrangements with American Express,
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MasterCard International and other organizations, which offer members of these groups incentives to rent from Budget. In connection with its focus on value-conscious customers, Budget primarily relies on retail advertising, including Internet advertising, and on value pricing to drive customers to our Budget website, our call centers and other distribution channels. Budget also offers proprietary marketing programs such as Fastbreak, an expedited rental service for frequent renters to further support its marketing efforts.
Licensing
We have licensees in more than 150 countries throughout the world. Revenue derived from our vehicle rental licensees in 2011 totaled $70 million. Licensed locations are independently operated by our licensees, and range from large operations at major airport locations and territories encompassing entire countries to relatively small operations in suburban locations. Our licensees maintain separate independently operated fleets. Royalties generated from licensing provide us with a source of high-margin revenue because there are relatively limited additional fixed costs associated with fees paid by licensees to us. Licensed locations represented approximately 61% of our Avis and Budget car rental locations worldwide following the Avis Europe Acquisition. Locations operated by licensees throughout 2011 represented approximately 32% of total revenue generated by the Avis and Budget Systems in 2011. We facilitate one-way car rentals between corporate-owned and licensed locations, which enables us to offer an integrated network of locations to our customers.
We generally enjoy good relationships with our licensees and meet regularly with them at regional, national and international meetings. Our relationships with our licensees are governed by license agreements that grant the licensee the right to operate independently operated Avis or Budget car and/or truck rental businesses in certain territories. Our license agreements generally provide our licensees with the exclusive right to operate in their assigned territory. These agreements impose obligations on the licensee regarding its operations and most agreements restrict the licensees ability to transfer its license agreement and capital stock. Licensees are generally required to adhere to our system standards for each brand as updated and supplemented by our policy bulletins, brand manuals and service programs.
We maintain the right to monitor the operations of licensees and, when applicable, can declare a licensee to be in default under its license agreement. We can terminate license agreements for certain defaults, including failure to pay royalties and failure to adhere to our operational standards. Under agreements that predate our ownership of Avis or Budget, a limited number of licensees in the United States are also separately licensed to sell used cars under the Avis or Budget brand in certain territories. Our current U.S. license agreements generally provide for a 20-year term and renewal terms, for no additional fee, so long as the licensee is not in default and provided that certain conditions are met. Some of our older U.S. license agreements do not contain a fixed term, or provide for renewal terms for no additional fee so long as the licensee is not in default. Our European license agreements vary based on the country, but typically have an initial term of two to five years and a renewal period of 10 years, often with no additional upfront fee. Upon renewal, the terms and conditions of the license agreement may generally be amended from those contained in the expiring license agreements, while terms in certain older license agreements may limit our ability to do so. The car rental royalty fee payable to us under license agreements is generally 5% to 8% of gross rental revenue but certain licensees of each brand, both in North America and internationally, have license agreements with different royalty fee structures.
Pursuant to their license agreements, some licensees must meet certain minimal requirements relating to the number of rental locations in their licensed territory, the number of vehicles available for rental and the amount of their advertising and promotional expenditures. In general, our license agreements provide that the licensee must not engage in any other vehicle rental business within the licensed territory during the term of such agreement, and, in our North American Budget license agreements, for 12 months thereafter. Upon termination of a license, the licensee is also prohibited from using the Avis or Budget name and related marks in any business. In the United States, these license relationships constitute franchises under most federal and state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises and the relationship of the parties to a franchise agreement.
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Other Revenue
In addition to revenue from vehicle rentals and licensee royalties, we generate revenue from Avis and Budget customers through the sale and/or rental of optional products and services. Our employees offer products to customers that will enhance their rental experience, including collision and loss damage waivers, insurance products such as additional/supplemental liability insurance or personal accident/effects insurance, products for driving convenience such as where2 GPS navigation units, optional roadside assistance services, fuel service options, electronic toll collection and other ancillary products and services, such as rentals of satellite radio units and child safety seats. In 2011, approximately 4% of our vehicle rental operations revenue was generated by the sale of collision and loss damage waivers, under which we agree to relieve a customer from financial responsibility arising from vehicle damage incurred during the rental period if the customer has not breached the rental agreement. In addition, we receive reimbursement from our customers for certain operating expenses we incur, including gasoline and vehicle licensing fees, as well as airport concession fees, that we pay in exchange for the right to operate at airports and other locations.
Websites
We have strong brand presence on the Internet through our Avis- and Budget-branded websites, as well as third-party websites. Both Avis and Budget have agreements to promote their car rental services with major online travel agencies such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz and have a strong advertising presence on various search engines. Bookings on our Avis- and Budget-branded websites accounted for approximately 31% of Avis 2011 reservations and 32% of Budgets 2011 reservations.
The Wizard System
We own the Wizard system, our worldwide reservation, rental, data processing and information management system. The Wizard system enables us to process millions of incoming customer inquiries each day, providing our customers with accurate and timely information about our locations, rental rates and vehicle availability, as well as the ability to place or modify reservations. Additionally, the Wizard system is linked to all major travel distribution networks worldwide and provides real-time processing for travel agents, travel industry partners (such as airlines and online travel sites), corporate travel departments and individual consumers through our websites or calls to our contact centers. The Wizard system also provides personal profile information to our reservation and rental agents to help us better serve our customers.
We also use data supplied from the Wizard system and airline reservation systems in certain proprietary information management systems to maintain centralized control of major business processes such as fleet acquisition and logistics, sales to corporate accounts and determination of rental rates. The principal components of the systems we employ include:
| Fleet planning model. We have created a comprehensive decision tool to develop fleet plans and schedules for the acquisition and disposition of our fleet, along with fleet age, mix, mileage and cost reports based upon these plans and schedules. This tool allows management to monitor and change fleet volume and composition on a daily basis and to optimize our fleet plan based on estimated business levels and available repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs. We also use third-party software to further optimize our fleet acquisition, rotation and disposition activities. |
| Yield management. We have created a yield management system which is designed to enhance profits by providing greater control of vehicle availability and rate availability changes at our rental locations. Our system monitors and forecasts supply and demand to support our efforts to optimize volume and rate at each location. Integrated into this yield management system is a fleet distribution module that takes into consideration the costs as well as the potential benefits associated with distributing vehicles to various rental locations within a geographic area to accommodate rental demand at these locations. The fleet distribution module makes specific recommendations for movement of vehicles between locations. |
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| Pricing decision support system. Pricing in the vehicle rental industry is highly competitive and complex. To improve our ability to respond to rental rate changes in the marketplace, we have developed sophisticated systems to gather and report competitive industry rental rate changes every day. Our systems, using data from third-party reservation systems as its source of information, automatically scan rate movements and report significant changes to our staff of pricing analysts for evaluation. These systems greatly enhance our ability to gather and respond to rate changes in the marketplace. |
| Business mix model. We have developed a strategic planning model to evaluate discrete components of our business relative to each other. The model considers revenue and costs to determine the potential margin contribution of each discrete segment. The model develops business mix and fleet optimization recommendations by using data from our financial systems, the Wizard system and the fleet and revenue management systems along with managements objectives and targets. |
| Enterprise data warehouse. We have developed a sophisticated and comprehensive electronic data storage and retrieval system which retains information related to various aspects of our business. This data warehouse allows us to take advantage of comprehensive management reports, query capability and easy access to data for strategic decision making for both brands. |
| Sales and marketing systems. We have developed a sophisticated system of online data screens which enables our sales force to analyze key account information of our corporate customers including historical and current rental activity, revenue and booking sources, top renting locations, rate usage categories and customer satisfaction data. We use this information, which is updated weekly and captured on a country-by-country basis, to assess opportunities for revenue growth, profitability and improvement. |
| Interactive adjustments. We have developed a multi-linked customer data system which allows us to easily retrieve pertinent customer information and make needed adjustments to completed rental transactions online for superior customer service. This data system links with other accounting systems to handle any charge card transaction automatically. |
| Interactive voice response system. We have developed an automated voice response system that enables the automated processing of customer reservation cancellations, confirmations, identification of rental locations, extension of existing rentals and requests for copies of rental receipts over the phone using speech recognition software. |
| On Location. We have introduced our On Location® service to certain of our corporate customers, which enables hourly self-service car rentals at their campus locations. This service consists of a two-way communications device connected to the vehicles on-board diagnostics system. This device retrieves key vehicle information that integrates with the Wizard system to perform a check-in and check-out of a vehicle in a self-service mode, all via mobile applications. |
Fleet
We rent a wide variety of vehicles, including luxury and specialty vehicles. Our fleet consists primarily of vehicles from the current and immediately preceding model year. We maintain a single fleet of vehicles for Avis and Budget in countries where we operate both brands.
We participate in a variety of vehicle purchase programs with major U.S. and foreign vehicle manufacturers. During 2011, approximately 25%, 24% and 18% of the cars acquired for our North American car rental fleet were manufactured by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, respectively, compared to 24%, 27% and 17%, respectively, in 2010. During 2011, we also purchased vehicles from BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Volkswagen for our North American fleet. In North America, we have continued to maintain a diverse fleet, with 33% of vehicles acquired for our North American fleet sourced from non-U.S. manufacturers.
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We generally maintain a similarly diverse fleet in countries where we have International corporate operations. In 2011, following the Avis Europe Acquisition, our International fleet was comprised of approximately 17%, 13% and 12% of cars manufactured by Volkswagen AG, Peugeot and General Motors, respectively. During 2011, we also purchased vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Renault and Toyota for our International fleet, including vehicles acquired as part of the Avis Europe Acquisition.
We generally hold a vehicle in our fleet for a term of four to sixteen months. In 2011, on average approximately 47% of our rental car fleet was comprised of vehicles subject to agreements requiring automobile manufacturers to repurchase them or guarantee our rate of depreciation during a specified period of time. Cars subject to these agreements are sometimes referred to as program cars and cars not subject to these agreements are sometimes referred to as risk cars. Such agreements require that program vehicles be maintained in our fleet for a minimum number of months (typically four to eleven months) and impose return conditions, including those related to mileage and condition. At the time the vehicle is returned, we receive the price guaranteed at the time of purchase and are thus protected from fluctuations in the prices of previously-owned vehicles in the wholesale market. The future percentages of program and risk vehicles in our fleet will be dependent on the availability and attractiveness of manufacturers repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs. We dispose of our risk vehicles largely through automobile auctions, including auctions that enable dealers to purchase vehicles online more quickly than through traditional auctions.
Of the approximately 316,000 cars from our North America rental car fleet that we sold in 2011 (compared to 321,000 that we sold in 2010), we sold approximately 56% pursuant to repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs and the rest were sold through third-party channels such as wholesale auctions.
Our car rental business is subject to seasonal variations in customer demand, with the summer vacation period representing the peak season. The seasonal variation in demand, along with more localized changes in demand at each of our locations, causes us to vary our fleet size over the course of the year. For 2011, given the effects of the Avis Europe Acquisition, our average monthly car rental fleet size ranged from a low of approximately 320,000 vehicles in January to a high of approximately 460,000 vehicles in October, including vehicles acquired in the Avis Europe Acquisition. Our average monthly car rental fleet size typically peaks in the summer months. Compared to 2010, our average fleet size increased approximately 15% in 2011, including vehicles acquired in the Avis Europe Acquisition. Average fleet utilization for 2011, which is based on the number of rental days (or portion thereof) that vehicles are rented compared to the total amount of time that vehicles are available for rent, ranged from 76% in March to 63% in December and averaged 69% for 2011, which was slightly below 2010 levels. Our calculation of utilization may not be comparable to other companies calculation of similarly titled statistics.
We place a strong emphasis on vehicle maintenance for customer safety and customer satisfaction reasons, and because quick and proper repairs are critical to fleet utilization. To accomplish this task we employ a fully-certified National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technician instructor and have developed a specialized training program for our 348 technicians who operate in approximately 85 maintenance and damage repair centers for both Avis and Budget in the United States. We use advanced diagnostic equipment, including General Motors Global Diagnostic System, Fords Integrated Diagnostic System, Chryslers wiTECH scan tool, Hyundais Global Diagnostic System, Kias Global Diagnostic System and Toyotas Techstream scan tool. Our technician training department also prepares its own technical service bulletins that can be retrieved electronically at our repair locations. Approximately 80% of our U.S. technicians are ASE-certified.
Customer Service
We believe our commitment to delivering a consistently high level of customer service across all of our brands is a critical element of our success and strategy. In 2011, we continued implementation of our Customer Led, Service Driven program, through which we focus on improving the overall customer experience based on our
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research of customer service practices, improved customer insights, executing our customer relationship management strategy and delivering customer-centric employee training. We continuously track customer satisfaction levels by sending location-specific surveys to recent customers. In 2011, we received over 750,000 responses to our online customer satisfaction surveys. Our surveys ask customers to evaluate their overall satisfaction with their rental experience, among other things. Results are analyzed in aggregate and by location to help further enhance our service levels to our customers. In addition, we utilize a toll-free telephone number and a dedicated customer service e-mail address to allow customers of both Avis and Budget to report problems directly to our customer relations department. Location associates and managers receive resolution training and are empowered to resolve most customer issues at the location level. We continuously measure our service delivery by preparing weekly and monthly reports on the types and number of complaints and compliments we receive. These reports are utilized by our location management in conjunction with the customer satisfaction reports providing us with comprehensive feedback regarding customer service delivery.
Environmental Initiatives
Over the past several years, we have launched a number of initiatives to manage the environmental aspects of our business. We have focused on and expect to continue to focus on the environmental profile of our car rental fleet, as measured using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay Certification program. Many of the 2011 model year rental cars in our fleet met the standards for EPA SmartWay Certification. We also offer gas/electric hybrid cars and flex fuel cars for rent for those seeking to minimize environmental impact through use of E-85 ethanol fuel. We also offer a significant number of vehicles equipped for electronic toll collection, which published research indicates reduces hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions as well as emissions of nitrogen oxides through reduced wait times at toll booths. We offer electronic invoicing options in the United States and certain other countries to reduce our paper consumption. We have also introduced local environmental initiatives in certain European countries in which we operate, such as electric vehicles and carbon offset purchases, reduced utility usage and increased use of renewable energy sources at our European headquarters and other locations. Our corporate operations in Europe were accredited CarbonNeutral® Operations in 2011, meaning emissions generated by our European corporate operations have been reduced and offset to net zero.
We are creating formal Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for key U.S. airport locations in accordance with ISO 14001 international standards. We use these standards to quantify the various environmental aspects of our business operations, and to manage these aspects, reducing our impact when and where practicable. For example, new car washes installed at our Avis and Budget facilities now recycle and reuse at least 80% of their wastewater.
We also offer corporate customers a carbon footprint calculator designed to work with our data warehouse and compute the emissions from their rental car use. We then offer our corporate customers a program to help them reduce their carbon impact, including through driver education, and the opportunity to use carbon offset credits aimed at making their rental car use carbon neutral. We have an alliance with Carbonfund.org, a leading non-profit provider of carbon offset credits, to enable both renters and corporate customers to offset emissions generated by their rental car use.
Airport Concession Fees
In general, concession fees for on-airport locations are based on a percentage of total commissionable revenue (as defined by each airport authority), subject to minimum annual guaranteed amounts. Concessions are typically awarded by airport authorities every three to five years based upon competitive bids. Our concession agreements with the various airport authorities generally impose certain minimum operating requirements, provide for relocation in the event of future construction and provide for abatement of the minimum annual guarantee in the event of extended low passenger volume.
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Competition
The car rental industry is characterized by intense price and service competition. Competition in our vehicle rental operations is based primarily upon price, reliability, vehicle availability, national or international distribution, usability of booking systems, ease of rental and return, and other elements of customer service. In addition, competition is influenced strongly by advertising, marketing and brand reputation. We compete primarily with the following car rental companies: Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., which operates the Hertz and Advantage brands; Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.; Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company, which also operates the National Car Rental and Alamo brands in North America; Europcar, which also operates the National Car Rental and Alamo brands in Europe; and Sixt AG. We also compete with smaller regional car rental companies.
TRUCK RENTAL BUSINESS
Operations
Budgets truck rental business is one of the largest local and one-way truck rental businesses in the United States. The Budget truck rental business has a combined fleet of approximately 26,000 trucks, which are rented through a network of approximately 1,850 dealers and 300 Company-operated locations throughout the continental United States. A certain number of our dealer locations are operated by our Budget car rental licensees. The Budget truck rental business serves both the consumer and light commercial sectors. The consumer sector consists primarily of individuals who rent trucks to move household goods on either a one-way or local basis. The light commercial sector consists of a wide range of businesses that rent light- to medium-duty trucks, which we define as trucks having a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds, for a variety of commercial applications. In 2011, the Budget truck rental business generated total revenue of approximately $376 million.
We advertise in yellow pages telephone directories, purchase online advertisements and keywords, and conduct targeted email marketing campaigns to help promote our truck rental business to new and existing customers. Budget truck rental customers can make reservations, through our Budget truck rental website at budgettruck.com, through the Budget truck rental reservation center at 1-800-GO-BUDGET or by calling a specific location directly.
We have an exclusive agreement to advertise truck rental services in the Movers Guide, an official U.S. Postal Service change of address product. In addition, we maintain relationships with businesses like Sears and Pep Boys, a leading automotive aftermarket service and retail chain, to promote Budgets truck rental business, as well as a relationship with AARP offering reduced rates to members.
Ancillary Products and Insurance Coverages
We supplement our daily truck rental revenue by offering customers a range of ancillary products. We rent automobile towing equipment and other moving accessories such as hand trucks, furniture pads and moving supplies, as well as where2 GPS navigation units. We also make available to customers a range of optional liability-limiting products and coverages such as physical damage waivers, automobile towing protection, personal accident and cargo insurance and supplemental liability insurance. These ancillary products enhance our appeal to consumers by offering customers one-stop moving services.
Distribution
Budgets truck rental business is offered through a national network, which included approximately 1,850 dealers as of December 31, 2011. These independently-owned dealers generally operate self-storage facilities, rental centers, hardware stores, service stations and other similar retail service businesses. In addition to their principal businesses, the dealers rent our light- and medium-duty trucks to consumers and to our commercial accounts and are responsible for collecting payments on our behalf. The dealers receive a commission on all truck rentals and ancillary equipment rentals. Generally, agreements with dealers may be terminated by either party subject to certain conditions.
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Competition
The truck rental industry is characterized by intense price and service competition as well as competition based on location (proximity to customer). We compete with a large number of truck rental companies throughout the country, including U-Haul International, Inc., Penske Truck Leasing Corporation, Ryder System, Inc., Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company and many others.
Seasonality
Our truck rental operations are subject to seasonal demand patterns, with generally higher levels of demand occurring during the late spring and summer months when most self-moves occur, with the third quarter typically being our busiest quarter. Generally, December is also a strong month due to increased retail sales activity and package deliveries.
INSURANCE
We generally assume the risk of liability to third parties arising from vehicle rental services in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in accordance with the minimum financial responsibility requirements (MFRs) and primacy of coverage laws of the relevant jurisdiction. In certain cases, we assume liability above applicable MFRs, but to no more than $1 million, pursuant to contractual obligations. In cases where we assume liability above applicable MFRs or in cases involving a negligent act on the part of the Company, we retain exposure for up to $1 million per occurrence and up to $10 million per occurrence, respectively, through a combination of self-insurance and insurance coverage provided by an unaffiliated insurance carrier and reinsured by us. We provide such reinsurance through our captive insurance subsidiary, Constellation Reinsurance Co., Ltd. We purchase insurance coverage for exposures of more than $10 million per occurrence from a combination of unaffiliated excess carriers.
We insure the risk of liability to third parties arising from vehicle rental services in Europe in accordance with regulatory requirements, through a combination of unaffiliated carriers and our captive insurance subsidiary, AEGIS Motor Insurance Limited, which provides reinsurance to third-party insurers, subject to certain limits. AEGIS purchases reinsurance to limit its exposure. We insure the risk of liability to third parties in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand through a combination of unaffiliated carriers and one of our affiliates. These carriers provide coverage supplemental to minimum local requirements.
When a customer elects to purchase supplemental liability insurance, with limits of either $1 million or $2 million, we largely retain economic exposure to loss, since the insurance is provided by an unaffiliated carrier that is reinsured by our Constellation Reinsurance Co., Ltd. subsidiary. Additional personal accident insurance offered to our customers in Europe is underwritten by a third-party insurer, and reinsured by our Avis Europe International Reinsurance Limited subsidiary.
THE AVIS EUROPE ACQUISITION
On October 3, 2011, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Avis Europe plc for a purchase price of 315 pence per share in cash, or approximately $1.0 billion. Avis Europe had been our largest independently-owned licensee, operating and sub-licensing the Avis and Budget brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Avis brand in Asia. In 2010, Avis Europe generated revenue of approximately $1.6 billion; operated an average fleet of approximately 100,000 vehicles in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Singapore; and had sub-licensees in approximately 100 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Avis Europe Acquisition, and the repayment of certain of its debt obligations, was funded through a combination of existing cash and incremental indebtedness.
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TRADEMARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The service marks Avis and Budget, related marks incorporating the words Avis or Budget, and related logos and marks such as We try harder are material to our vehicle rental business. Our subsidiaries and licensees actively use these marks. All of the material marks used by the Avis and Budget Systems are registered (or have applications pending for registration) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as well as in over 100 countries. Our subsidiaries own the marks and other intellectual property, including the Wizard system, used in our business.
FINANCIAL DATA OF SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Financial data for our segments and geographic areas are reported in Note 22Segment Information to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
REGULATION
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations in the United States and internationally, including those relating to taxing and licensing of vehicles, trademark licensing, consumer credit, consumer protection, environmental protection, insurance, privacy and labor matters.
Environmental
The principal environmental regulatory requirements applicable to our vehicle rental operations relate to the ownership or use of tanks for the storage of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and waste oils; the treatment or discharge of waste waters; and the generation, storage, transportation and off-site treatment or disposal of solid or liquid wastes. We operate approximately 450 Avis and Budget locations worldwide at which petroleum products are stored in underground or above-ground tanks and maintain liability insurance covering tanks at these locations. In the United States, we have instituted an environmental compliance program designed to ensure that these tanks are in compliance with applicable technical and operational requirements, including the replacement and upgrade of underground tanks to comply with the December 1998 EPA upgrade mandate and periodic testing and leak monitoring of underground storage tanks. We are also subject to various local environmental regulatory requirements in the other countries in which we operate locations with underground or above-ground storage tanks. We believe that the locations where we currently operate are in compliance, in all material respects, with such regulatory requirements.
We may also be subject to requirements related to the remediation of, or the liability for remediation of, substances that have been released into the environment at properties owned or operated by us or at properties to which we send substances for treatment or disposal. Such remediation requirements may be imposed without regard to fault, and liability for environmental remediation can be substantial. These remediation requirements and other environmental regulations differ depending on the country where the property is located.
We may be eligible for reimbursement in the United States from funds in certain states established to assist in the payment of remediation costs for releases from certain registered underground tanks. Subject to certain deductibles, the availability of funds, compliance status of the tanks and the nature of the release, these tank funds may be available to us for use in remediating future releases from our tank systems located in such states.
Loss Damage Waivers
Twenty-four states have enacted legislation which requires disclosure to each customer at the time of rental that damage to the rented vehicle may be covered to some extent by the customers personal automobile insurance and that loss damage waivers may not be necessary. In addition, four states have statutes which establish or cap the daily rate that can be charged for loss damage waivers.
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Insurance
As a result of our reinsurance of the optional insurance coverages that we offer through unaffiliated third-party insurance companies as well as other insurance obligations, we are subject to regulation under the insurance statutes, including insurance holding company statutes, of the jurisdictions in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled. These regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally require insurance holding companies and insurers that are subsidiaries of insurance holding companies to register and file certain reports, including information concerning their capital structure, ownership, financial condition and general business operations with the regulatory authority of the applicable jurisdiction, and require prior regulatory agency approval of changes in control of an insurer and intra-corporate transfers of assets within the holding company structure. Such insurance statutes may also require that we obtain limited licenses to sell optional insurance coverage to our customers at the time of rental. In addition, our car rental operations in Europe must comply with certain European Union regulations regarding the sale of travel insurance by intermediaries.
Franchise Regulation
The aspect of our business that involves licensing third parties to operate locations under the Avis or Budget name, in exchange for the payment of a royalty, is regulated by various state franchising laws, as well as by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the FTC). The FTC requires that we make extensive disclosure to prospective licensees but does not require registration. A number of states require registration and/or disclosure in connection with licensing offers and sales. In addition, several states have franchise relationship laws that could limit our ability to, among other things, terminate license agreements or withhold consent to the renewal or transfer of these agreements. We are also subject to certain regulations affecting our license arrangements in Europe and other international locations. Although our licensing operations have not been materially adversely affected by such existing regulations, we cannot predict the effect of any future U.S. or international legislation or regulations.
Privacy
Laws in some countries and jurisdictions limit the types of information we may collect about individuals with whom we deal or propose to deal, as well as how we collect, retain and use the information that we are permitted to collect, some of which is non-public personally identifiable information. The centralized nature of our information systems requires the routine flow of information about customers and potential customers across national borders, particularly in the United States and Europe. If this flow of information were to become illegal, or subject to onerous restrictions, our ability to serve our customers could be seriously impaired for an extended period of time. In addition, our failure to maintain the security of the data we hold, whether as a result of our own error or the actions of others, could harm our reputation or give rise to legal liabilities leading to lower revenue, increased costs and otherwise adversely impact our results of operations. In addition, the Payment Card Industry (the PCI) imposes strict customer credit card data security standards to ensure that our customers credit card information is protected. Failure to meet the PCI data security standards could result in substantial increased fees to credit card companies, other liabilities and/or loss of the right to collect credit card payments.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2011, we employed approximately 28,000 persons, of whom approximately 8,000 were employed on a part-time basis. Of our 28,000 employees, approximately 9,000 were employed outside of the United States. In the United States, the majority of our employees are at-will employees and, therefore, not subject to any type of employment contract or agreement. Certain of our executive officers have been hired under employment contracts that specify a term of employment and specify pay and other benefits.
As of December 31, 2011, approximately 34% of our employees in the United States were covered by collective bargaining agreements with various labor unions. We believe our employee relations are satisfactory. We have never experienced a large-scale work stoppage.
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Outside the United States, we enter into employment contracts and agreements in those countries in which such relationships are mandatory or customary. The provisions of these agreements correspond in each case with the required or customary terms in the subject jurisdiction.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Our principal executive office is located at 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 (telephone number: 973-496-4700). The Company files electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) required reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q, Form 10-K and Form 11-K; proxy materials; ownership reports for insiders as required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; registration statements and other forms or reports as required. Certain of the Companys officers and directors also file statements of changes in beneficial ownership on Form 4 with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials that the Company has filed with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 800-SEC-0330. Such materials may also be accessed electronically on the SECs Internet site (www.sec.gov). The Company maintains a website (avisbudgetgroup.com) and copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 reports and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished with the SEC are available free of charge in the Investor Relations section of our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. Copies of our Codes of Conduct and Ethics, as defined under Item 406 of Regulation S-K, including any amendments thereto or waivers thereof, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Director Independence Criteria and Board Committee Charters are also available on our website. The information contained on the Companys website is not included in, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following is a cautionary discussion of the most significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that we believe are significant to our business and should be considered carefully in conjunction with all of the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this report, the factors described in this item could, individually or in the aggregate, cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Should unknown risks or uncertainties materialize or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could materially differ from past results and/or those anticipated, estimated or projected. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.
Risks Related to Our Business
The high level of competition in the vehicle rental industry may lead to reduced rental volumes and increased pricing pressure, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
The vehicle rental industry in which we operate is highly competitive. We believe that price is one of the primary competitive factors in the vehicle rental industry. Our competitors may seek to compete aggressively on the basis of pricing. We risk losing rental volume to the extent that our competitors reduce their pricing and we do not match or remain within a reasonably competitive margin of our competitors pricing, or if price increases we seek to implement make us less competitive. We could be further impacted if we are unable to adjust the size of our rental fleet in response to fluctuations in demand.
The risk of competition on the basis of pricing in the truck rental industry can be even more intense than in the car rental industry because it can be more difficult to reduce the size of our truck rental fleet in response to reduced demand. The Internet has increased pricing transparency among vehicle rental companies by enabling cost-conscious customers to more easily obtain and compare the rates available from various vehicle rental companies for any given rental. This transparency may increase the prevalence and intensity of price competition in the future.
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We face risks of increased fleet costs, both generally and due to the possibility that manufacturers could change or cease their repurchase or guaranteed depreciation programs.
Fleet costs, which represent our single largest expense, represented approximately 23% of our aggregate operating expenses for 2011 and can vary from year to year based on the prices at which we are able to purchase and dispose of rental vehicles. In 2011, on average approximately 47% of our rental car fleet was comprised of vehicles subject to agreements requiring automobile manufacturers to repurchase them or guarantee the depreciation rate for a specified period of time. We refer to such agreements as programs and to cars subject to such agreements as program cars. Under these programs, automobile manufacturers agree to repurchase cars at a specified price during a specified time period or guarantee the rate of depreciation for a specified period of time, typically subject to certain car condition and mileage requirements. These programs therefore enable us to determine, in advance, our depreciation expense, which is a significant component of our fleet costs. These programs also limit the risk to us that the market value of a car, at the time of its disposition, will be less than its estimated residual (or depreciated) value; however, as discussed below, such programs result in additional exposure to the manufacturers with whom we have such agreements.
Automobile manufacturers may not continue to sell program cars to us at all or on terms consistent with past practice. The overall cost of program cars could also increase if the manufacturers were to make changes to such programs, particularly if such changes were to result in an adverse impact in the repurchase price or guaranteed depreciation without a corresponding decrease to the original purchase price. Programs also generally provide us with flexibility to reduce the size of our fleet rapidly in response to an economic slowdown or changes in demand by disposing of cars sooner than originally expected. This flexibility may be reduced in the future to the extent that we reduce the percentage of program cars in our car rental fleet or this feature of the programs is altered.
We receive payments from manufacturers, known as incentive payments, once certain contractual conditions are met, such as reaching certain purchase volumes. Our per-unit fleet costs could increase if we should decide to purchase fewer vehicles than previously agreed to, or if we do not meet volume requirements or if incentive payments are reduced or eliminated by manufacturers. Any increase in our per-unit fleet costs could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
We face risks related to the financial condition of automobile manufacturers and the used vehicle marketplace.
Approximately 25%, 24% and 18% of the cars we acquired for our North American fleet in 2011 were manufactured by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, respectively. A majority of these cars and a portion of cars purchased from other manufacturers for our North American and our International fleets are program cars. If a manufacturer were to default under its agreements with us as a result of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise, we could incur material expenses if the prices at which we were able to dispose of program cars were less than the specified prices under the applicable program. This effect may be magnified because we typically pay the manufacturer of a program car more than we would pay to buy the same car as a non-program vehicle, which we refer to as a risk vehicle, and because we depreciate a program car to the repurchase price or the guaranteed depreciation agreed to by the manufacturer. This price does not vary with conditions in the marketplace and is usually higher than the price that would be available in the used car marketplace. We also receive incentive payments from manufacturers following the purchase of some of our vehicles once certain conditions are met, such as reaching certain purchase volumes. Failure by a manufacturer to fulfill its obligations under any program agreement or incentive payment obligation could leave us with a substantial unpaid claim against the manufacturer, particularly with respect to program cars that were either (i) resold for an amount less than the amount guaranteed under the applicable program and therefore subject to a true-up payment obligation from the manufacturer or (ii) returned to the manufacturer but for which we were not yet paid, and therefore we could incur a substantial loss as a result of such failure to perform.
We currently sell non-program vehicles through auctions, third-party resellers and other channels in the used vehicle marketplace. Such channels may not produce stable used vehicle prices. A reduction in residual values
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for non-program cars and trucks in our vehicle rental fleet could cause us to sustain a substantial loss on the ultimate sale of such vehicles or require us to depreciate those vehicles at a more accelerated rate while we own them.
Any reduction in the market value of the vehicles in our fleet could effectively increase our fleet costs, adversely impact our profitability and potentially lead to decreased capacity in our asset-backed car rental funding facilities due to the collateral requirements for such facilities which effectively increase as market values for vehicles decrease. In addition, if our ability to sell vehicles in the used vehicle marketplace were to become severely limited at a time when required collateral levels were rising, principal under our asset-backed financing facilities may be required to be repaid sooner than anticipated with vehicle disposition proceeds and lease payments we make to our vehicle program subsidiaries. If that were to occur, the holders of our asset-backed debt may have the ability to exercise their right to instruct the trustee to direct the return of program vehicles and/or the sale of non-program vehicles to generate proceeds sufficient to repay such debt.
We face risks associated with sourcing vehicles for our fleet and potential safety recalls affecting vehicles in our fleet.
We currently source our fleet from a wide range of auto manufacturers, including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Audi, BMW, Fiat, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota and Volkswagen. To the extent these or other auto manufacturers significantly curtail production, or decide to curtail sales to us or the vehicle rental industry as a whole, we may not be able to obtain a sufficient number of vehicles to operate our business without significantly increasing our fleet costs. In addition, our vehicles may be subject to safety recalls by their manufacturers that could have a similar impact on our business when we remove such recalled vehicles from our rentable fleet. If a large number of cars were to be the subject of simultaneous recalls, or if needed replacement parts were not in adequate supply, we may not be able to re-rent recalled cars for a significant period of time. We could also face liability claims related to vehicles subject to a safety recall. Depending on the nature and severity of the recall, it could adversely affect our revenues, create customer service problems, reduce the residual value of the cars involved, harm our general reputation and/or have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to effectively integrate Avis Europe or realize anticipated benefits from the Avis Europe Acquisition, which could negatively impact our business.
We may not be able to promptly and efficiently integrate the operations of Avis Europe and its subsidiaries with our operations, and the potential benefits of the Avis Europe Acquisition that result from cost savings and synergies may be less than what we anticipate or may not be realized at all. The integration of Avis Europe with our operations will require significant attention from management and could impose constraints on our operations or other projects. Potential challenges associated with integrating Avis Europes operations with our operations may include, among other things:
| inconsistencies between our standards, procedures and policies and those of Avis Europe; |
| the increased scope and complexity of our operations; |
| costs of compliance with U.S. and international laws and regulations; |
| provisions in our and Avis Europes contracts with third parties that limit our flexibility to take certain actions; |
| the consolidation of operational and administrative systems and infrastructures; |
| limitations on, or costs associated with, workforce reductions; |
| the retention of key employees; and |
| the possibility of other costs or inefficiencies associated with the integration of operations of the combined company. |
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Any of these factors could cause delays or increased costs related to combining the companies and could adversely affect our operations, financial results and liquidity.
Weakness in general economic conditions in the United States, Europe and other areas in which we operate, weakness in travel demand and the housing market, and/or a significant increase in fuel costs can adversely impact our business.
Historically, our results of operations have declined during periods of general economic weakness, as experienced in 2008 and 2009 when our results were adversely impacted by the global economic recession. If economic conditions in the United States, Europe and/or worldwide were to weaken, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted in 2012 and beyond.
In 2011, we generated approximately 74% of our car rental T&M revenue from our on-airport locations; therefore, a decline in airline travel will typically have a direct adverse impact on our results of operations. Significant airline capacity reductions, airfare or related fee increases, any events that disrupt or reduce business or leisure air travel such as work stoppages, military conflicts, terrorist incidents, natural disasters, epidemic diseases, or the response of governments to any of these events, could result in reduced air travel and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Significant increases in fuel prices, a severe protracted disruption in fuel supplies or rationing of fuel could discourage customers from renting cars or reduce or disrupt air travel.
Our truck rental business can also be impacted by the housing market. If conditions in the housing market were to further weaken, we may see a decline in truck rental transactions, which could have an adverse impact on our business.
We may not be successful in implementing our business strategies.
For 2012, our objective is to focus on growing our business profitably, strengthening our position as a leading provider of vehicle rental services and maintaining and enhancing efficiencies achieved through process improvement and other actions, including certain core strategic initiatives, such as optimizing our two-brand strategy, expanding our revenue sources, capturing incremental profit opportunities, integrating the operations of Avis Europe and controlling costs and promoting efficiencies. If we are unsuccessful in implementing these initiatives, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
We rely on third-party distribution channels, and the success of our business may be affected by these relationships.
In 2011, we generated approximately 44% of our car rental reservations through third-party distribution channels, which include:
| traditional and online travel agencies, airlines and hotel companies, marketing partners such as credit card companies and membership organizations and other entities that help us attract customers; and |
| global distribution systems, such as Amadeus, Galileo/Apollo, Sabre and Worldspan that connect travel agents, travel service providers and corporations to our reservations systems. |
In 2011, approximately 2% of our car rental reservations came through our largest non-GDS third party source of reservations. The operators of some third-party distribution channels can cancel or modify their agreements with us upon relatively short notice. Changes in our pricing agreements, commission schedules or arrangements with third-party distribution channels, the termination of any of our relationships or a reduction in the transaction volume of such channels, or a GDSs inability to process and communicate reservations to us could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations, particularly if our customers were unable to access our reservation systems through alternate channels.
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Our business is seasonal, and a disruption in rental activity during our peak season could adversely affect our results of operations.
Seasonal changes in our revenues do not typically alter certain of our expenses that are fixed in the short run, such as rent and insurance, and typically result in higher profitability in periods when our revenues are higher and lower profitability in periods when our revenues are lower. In our business, the third quarter of the year has historically been our strongest quarter due to the increased level of leisure travel and household moving activity. In 2011, excluding the effects of the Avis Europe Acquisition, the third quarter accounted for 29% of our total revenue for the year and was our most profitable quarter as measured by Adjusted EBITDA. Any circumstance or occurrence that disrupts rental activity during the third quarter could have a disproportionately adverse impact on our financial condition and our results of operations.
Our derivative instruments may impact our results of operations.
We typically utilize derivative instruments to manage a portion of our risk related to fluctuations in interest rates, gas prices and foreign exchange rates. The derivative instruments we use to manage our risk are usually in the form of interest rate and commodity swaps and foreign exchange forward and swap agreements. Periodically, we are required to determine the change in fair value, called the mark to market, of some of these derivative instruments, which can result in a non-cash charge or gain being recognized in our financial results. Significant changes or shifts in interest rates, gas prices and foreign exchange rates will impact the valuation of our derivatives and therefore could expose us to substantial mark-to-market losses or gains if such rates or prices fluctuate materially from the time the derivatives were entered into. Accordingly, a fluctuation in such rates or prices may impact our financial position, results of operations and current or future cash flows. In addition, volatility in rates and prices can also impact the cost and effectiveness of our derivative instruments in managing our risks. To the extent any of our derivatives were to result in a gain upon settlement, we would be exposed to credit risk of the counterparties to such derivatives, which are typically large financial institutions.
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates that may adversely impact our results of operations.
Our international operations generate revenue and incur operating costs in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In addition, the financial position and results of operations of many of our foreign subsidiaries are reported in the relevant local currency and then translated to U.S. dollars at the applicable currency exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. Changes in exchange rates among these foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar will affect the recorded levels of our assets and liabilities, to the extent such figures reflect the inclusion of foreign assets and liabilities that are translated into U.S. dollars for presentation in our financial statements, as well as our results of operations. The Avis Europe Acquisition has increased our foreign currency translation risk. While we take steps to manage our currency exposure, we cannot accurately predict the nature or extent of future exchange rate variability, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial position.
We face risks related to liability and insurance.
Our businesses expose us to claims for personal injury, death and property damage related to the use of our vehicles and for workers compensation claims and other employment-related claims by our employees. We may become exposed to uninsured liability at levels in excess of our historical levels resulting from unusually high losses or otherwise. In addition, liabilities in respect of existing or future claims may exceed the level of our reserves and/or our insurance, which could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, insurance with unaffiliated carriers may not continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms or at all. Should we experience significant liability for which we did not plan, our results of operations and financial position could be negatively impacted.
We face risks related to our locations.
We lease or have vehicle rental concessions for both the Avis and Budget brands at locations throughout the world, including at airports both in the United States and internationally where vehicle rental companies are
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frequently required to bid periodically for the available locations. If we were to lose any lease or vehicle rental concession, particularly at an airport in a major metropolitan area, there can be no assurance that we would be able to find a suitable replacement on reasonable terms or at all and our business could be adversely affected.
We are subject to environmental regulations that could render us liable for fines or damages.
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations in connection with our operations, including, among other things, with respect to the ownership and operation of tanks for the storage of petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel and motor and waste oils. We have established a compliance program for our tank systems that is intended to ensure that the tanks are properly registered with the state or other jurisdiction in which the tanks are located and have been either replaced or upgraded to meet applicable leak detection and spill, overfill, corrosion protection and vapor recovery requirements. These tank systems may not at all times remain free from undetected leaks, and the use of these tanks may result in significant spills, which may expose us to material liabilities.
We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures to comply with environmental laws and regulations, including, among others, expenditures for the cleanup of contamination at our owned and leased properties, as well as contamination at other locations at which our wastes have reportedly been identified. Our compliance with existing or future environmental laws and regulations may, however, require material expenditures by us or otherwise have an adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including laws and regulations relating to the environment, insurance products that we sell, consumer privacy, data security, employment matters, taxes, automobile-related liability and insurance rates could affect our operations, disrupt our business, increase our expenses or otherwise have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations in the United States and internationally and changes in the level of government regulation of our business have the potential to materially alter our business practices, financial position and results of operations. Depending on the jurisdiction, those changes may come about through the issuance of new laws and regulations or changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations by a court, regulatory body or governmental official. Our global operations may expose us to varying risks, which include multiple, and sometimes conflicting, foreign regulatory requirements and laws that are subject to change and are often much different than the laws in the United States, including laws relating to taxes, automobile-related liability, insurance rates, insurance products, consumer privacy, data security, employment matters, environmental matters, cost and fee recovery, the protection of our trademarks and other intellectual property and local ownership or investment requirements.
Optional insurance products that we offer to renters in the United States, including, but not limited to, supplemental liability insurance, personal accident insurance and personal effects protection, are regulated under state laws governing such products. Our car rental operations in Europe must comply with certain European Union regulations regarding the sale of travel insurance by intermediaries. In our other international car rental operations, our offering of optional insurance coverages has not historically been regulated. Any changes in U.S. or international laws that change our operating requirements with respect to optional insurance products could increase our costs of compliance or make it uneconomical to offer such products, which would lead to a reduction in revenue and profitability. If customers decline to purchase supplemental liability insurance products from us as a result of any changes in these laws or otherwise, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
In almost every state in the United States and certain other international locations where we operate, we recover from consumers various costs associated with the title and registration of our vehicles. In addition, where permitted, we also recover from consumers certain costs, including concession costs imposed by an airport authority or the owner and/or operator of the premises from which our vehicle is rented. In the United States, our
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long-standing business practice has been to separately state the existence of these additional costs in our rental agreements and invoices and to disclose to consumers what the additional surcharges used to recover such costs are, together with an estimated total price, inclusive of these surcharges, in all distribution channels. We believe that this standard practice comports with the Federal Trade Commission Act and has been upheld by several courts. We may in the future be subject to potential legislative changes or administrative actions in the United States and internationally, which could limit, restrict or prohibit our ability to separately state, charge and recover such costs, which could result in an adverse cost reallocation. If any such changes were to be enacted, there may be an adverse impact or limitation on our ability to recover all of the surcharges we currently charge, which could adversely impact our profitability and results of operations.
In 2005, federal legislation was enacted that pre-empted state laws which imputed tort liability solely based on ownership of a vehicle involved in an accident. If the current law were to change, our insurance liability exposure could materially increase.
The U.S. Congress and other legislative and regulatory authorities in the United States and internationally have considered, and will likely continue to consider, numerous measures related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Should rules establishing limitations on greenhouse gas emissions or rules imposing fees on entities deemed to be responsible for greenhouse gas emissions become effective, demand for our services could be affected, our fleet and/or other costs could increase, and our business could be adversely affected.
We may be held responsible by regulators, courts or others for the actions of, or failures to act by, our licensees, dealers or independent operators, which exposes us to possible fines, other liabilities and negative publicity.
Our car and truck rental licensee and dealer locations are independently owned and operated. We also operate many of our corporate locations through agreements with agency operators, which are third-party independent contractors who receive commissions to operate such locations. Our agreements with our licensees, dealers and agency operators (third-party operators) generally require that they comply with all laws and regulations applicable to their businesses, including our internal policies and standards. Under these agreements, third-party operators retain control over the employment and management of all personnel at their locations. Regulators, courts or others may seek to hold us responsible for the actions of, or failures to act by third-party operators. Although we actively monitor the operations of these third-party operators, and under certain circumstances have the ability to terminate their agreements for failure to adhere to contracted operational standards, we are unlikely to detect all problems. Moreover, there are occasions when the actions of third-party operators may not be clearly distinguishable from our own. It is our policy to vigorously seek to be dismissed from any such claims involving third-party operators and to pursue indemnity for any adverse outcomes that affect our Company. Failure of third-party operators to comply with laws and regulations may expose us to liability, damages and publicity that may adversely affect our business.
We face risks arising from our heavy reliance on communications networks and centralized information systems.
We rely heavily on information systems, including our reservation system, to accept reservations, process rental and sales transactions, manage our fleet of vehicles, account for our activities and otherwise conduct our business. We have centralized our information systems, and we rely on communications service providers to link our systems with the business locations these systems were designed to serve. A failure of a major system, or a major disruption of communications between the system and the locations it serves, could cause a loss of reservations, interfere with our ability to manage our fleet, slow rental and sales processes and otherwise adversely affect our ability to manage our business effectively. Our systems business continuity plans and insurance programs seek to mitigate such risks but they cannot fully eliminate the risk that a disruption could be experienced in any of our information systems.
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Any failure by us to protect confidential information of our customers against security breaches, including cyber-security breaches, could damage our reputation and substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Third parties may have the technology or expertise to breach the security of our customer transaction data and our security measures may not prevent physical security or cyber-security breaches, which could result in substantial harm to our business, our reputation and our results of operations. We rely on encryption and/or authentication technology licensed and, at times, administered by third parties to effect secure transmission of confidential information, including credit card numbers. Our outsource agreements with third-party service providers generally require that providers have adequate security systems in place to protect all of our customer transaction data. However, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other cyber-security developments could render our security systems and technology or those employed by our third-party service providers vulnerable to a breach. In addition, anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. Cyber-security risks such as malicious software and attempts to gain unauthorized access to data are rapidly evolving and could lead to disruptions in our reservation system or other data systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information or corruption of data. Any successful efforts by individuals to infiltrate, break into, disrupt, damage or otherwise steal from the Companys, its licensees or its third-party service providers security or information systems could damage our reputation and brand and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability that could substantially harm our business and results of operations.
In addition, the industry that regulates the usage of credit and debit cards (the Payment Card Industry, or the PCI) imposes strict customer credit card data security standards to ensure that our customers credit card information is protected. Failure to meet the PCI data security standards could result in substantial increased fees to credit card companies, other liabilities and/or loss of the right to collect credit card payments, which could adversely impact our operations. Failure to protect customer credit card and other information can also result in governmental investigations or material civil or criminal liability.
We face risks associated with our like-kind exchange program.
We utilize a like-kind exchange program whereby we replace vehicles in a manner that allows tax gains on vehicles sold in the United States to be deferred. The program has resulted in a material deferral of federal and state income taxes beginning in 2004. The benefit of deferral is dependent on reinvestment of vehicle disposition proceeds in replacement vehicles within a prescribed period of time (usually six months). An extended downsizing of our fleet could result in reduced deferrals, utilization of tax attributes and increased payment of federal and state income taxes that could require us to make material cash payments. Such a downsizing or reduction in purchases would likely occur if, and to the extent, we are unable to obtain financing when our asset-backed rental car financings mature or in connection with a significant decrease in demand for vehicle rentals. Therefore, we cannot offer assurance that the expected tax deferral will continue or that the relevant law concerning the like-kind exchange program will remain intact in its current form.
Acquisitions of existing Avis or Budget licensees, or acquisitions or investments in other businesses could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We have acquired and may acquire existing licensees and/or other businesses in the future and have invested in and may further invest in licensees or other businesses. These acquisitions and investments may involve numerous risks, including those associated with integrating operations, technology and personnel into our business, potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management and exposure to existing as well as unknown liabilities, including litigation involving the acquired entity. Such acquisitions and/or investments may not be accretive to our earnings and may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
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Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
We have a substantial amount of debt, which could impair our financial condition and adversely affect our ability to react to future changes in our business.
As of December 31, 2011, our total debt was approximately $8.8 billion and we had $757 million of available letter of credit and borrowing capacity under our senior credit facilities. Our indebtedness could have important consequences, including:
| limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts to fund working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or acquisitions and other purposes; |
| requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay principal and interest on our debt, which would reduce the funds available to us for other purposes; and |
| making us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions, as well as changes in government regulation and changes to our business. |
Our ability to satisfy and manage our debt obligations depends on our ability to generate cash flow and on overall financial market conditions. To some extent, this is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to permit us to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest on our debt obligations. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt obligations and meet our other cash needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell or curtail assets or operations, seek additional capital or seek to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. If we must sell or curtail our assets or operations, it may negatively affect our ability to generate revenue.
Despite our current indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt. This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial outstanding indebtedness.
The agreement governing our credit facilities and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes limit, but do not prohibit, us from incurring additional indebtedness in the future. As of December 31, 2011, our revolving senior credit facilities provided us with aggregate capacity of up to $1.4 billion, $757 million of which remains available for borrowings. All of those borrowings would be secured and the lenders under our senior credit facilities would have a prior claim to the assets that secure such indebtedness. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify.
We may be unable to remain in compliance with the financial or other covenants contained in our debt instruments, including our senior credit facilities.
Many of our debt instruments, including our senior credit facilities, contain financial and other covenants that impose significant requirements on us and limit our ability to engage in certain transactions or activities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient earnings to enable us to satisfy the financial covenants included in our debt instruments. Our failure to comply with these covenants, if not waived, would cause a default under the senior credit facilities and could result in required repayment of principal under our U.S. asset-backed conduit facilities from a portion of our vehicle disposition proceeds or lease payments that we make to our vehicle program subsidiaries. If such a failure were to occur, there can be no assurance that we would be able to refinance or obtain a replacement for such facilities and in certain circumstances such failure could also give rise to a default under the instruments that govern our other indebtedness.
We can be adversely impacted by disruptions in the credit and asset-backed securities markets, which could lead to increases in interest rates and could disrupt our ability to obtain financing for our operations.
We rely upon financing for our operations, particularly asset-backed financing, through asset-backed securities and the credit market. Our total asset-backed debt as of December 31, 2011 was approximately $5.6 billion, with
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available capacity of approximately $3.8 billion. Our $2.5 billion asset-backed U.S. rental car conduit facility is a two-year facility which matures in October 2013. We also maintain asset-backed facilities in Canada and Australia, and a vehicle-backed credit facility in Europe. If the asset-backed financing market is disrupted for any reason, we may be unable to obtain refinancing for our operations at current levels, or at all, when our asset-backed rental car financings mature, and any new financing or refinancing of our existing financing could increase our borrowing costs, including due to an increase in required collateral levels. In addition, we could be subject to increased collateral requirements to the extent we request any amendment or renewal of any of our existing financing.
Ambac Assurance Corporation (Ambac) provides financial guaranties for approximately $900 million of our approximately $4.7 billion of U.S. term asset-backed car rental financing outstanding at December 31, 2011. Ambacs debt ratings have been downgraded significantly from the time in which the guarantees were entered into. Assured Guaranty Corp. is also the provider of a financial guaranty for $208 million of our term asset-backed car rental financing. Should certain insolvency events occur with respect to the financial guarantors of our outstanding term asset-backed financings, we would be required to repay principal of the related financing sooner than anticipated from a portion of the proceeds of our ordinary course vehicle disposition and lease payments we make to our vehicle program subsidiaries. If such financings were not so repaid, these financial guarantor insolvency events could also result in the noteholders of the series of asset-backed notes guaranteed by the insolvent financial guarantor instructing the trustee to direct the return of program vehicles and/or the sale of non-program vehicles to generate proceeds sufficient to repay such series of notes. If such a financial guarantor insolvency event were to occur, there can be no assurance that we would be able to replace the relevant financings on reasonable terms or at all.
An increase in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt obligations and could reduce our future profitability.
A portion of our borrowings, primarily our vehicle-backed borrowings, bear interest at variable rates that expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates were to increase, whether due to an increase in market interest rates or an increase in our own cost of borrowing, our debt service obligations for our variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount of borrowings remained the same, and our results of operations could be adversely affected. As of December 31, 2011, our total outstanding debt of approximately $8.8 billion included unhedged interest rate sensitive debt of approximately $1.4 billion. During our seasonal borrowing peak in 2011, outstanding unhedged interest rate sensitive debt totaled approximately $1.9 billion.
Restrictive covenants in agreements and instruments governing our debt obligations could adversely affect our ability to operate our business.
The terms of certain of our indebtedness, including the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes and the agreement governing our senior credit facilities contain, and our future debt instruments may contain, various provisions that limit our ability to, among other things:
| incur additional debt; |
| provide guarantees in respect of obligations of other persons; |
| issue redeemable stock and preferred stock; |
| pay dividends or distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; |
| prepay, redeem or repurchase debt; |
| make loans, investments and capital expenditures; |
| enter into transactions with affiliates; |
| create or incur liens; |
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| make distributions from our subsidiaries; |
| sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries; |
| make acquisitions; and |
| consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person. |
Risks Related to the Separation
We are relying on our former subsidiaries to fulfill their obligations under the certain agreements related to the Separation.
We continue to manage the administration of certain legacy items which remain following the completion of the Separation. In connection with the Separation, we entered into certain agreements, including a Separation and Distribution Agreement (the Separation Agreement) with Realogy Corporation (Realogy), Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (Wyndham Worldwide) and Travelport, Inc. (Travelport) governing our relationships following the Separation. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement and related agreements (including a tax sharing agreement, the Tax Sharing Agreement), Realogy and Wyndham Worldwide are responsible for 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively, of certain contingent and other of our corporate liabilities including those relating to unresolved tax and legal matters as well as 100% of certain liabilities that relate to their respective businesses (the Assumed Obligations), specifically (i) all taxes imposed on us and certain of our subsidiaries and (ii) certain of our contingent and other corporate liabilities and/or those of our subsidiaries to the extent incurred prior to August 23, 2006. If either Realogy or Wyndham Worldwide were to default in its payment, when due, of any such Assumed Obligations, each non-defaulting party, including us, would be required to pay an equal portion of the defaulted amounts, and any such default may adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Realogy was acquired by an affiliate of Apollo Management VI, L.P. following the Separation. In accordance with the terms of the Separation Agreement, Realogy posted a letter of credit for the benefit of the Company in an amount designed to cover its estimated share of the Assumed Obligations. As of December 31, 2011, we had recorded receivables from Realogy of approximately $71 million; the amount of the letter of credit posted by Realogy is designed to approximate the amount of such receivables and is subject to adjustment from time to time. There can be no assurance that such letter of credit will be sufficient or effective to cover Realogys actual obligations if and when they arise. In addition, the Separation Agreement effectively provides Realogy with the right to control the process for resolving disputes related to many of the Assumed Obligations.
Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide and/or Travelport (the separated companies) are required to indemnify us in respect of certain liabilities that related to their respective businesses, including certain effective guarantees that result from either us or one of our subsidiaries remaining a named lessee on real estate leases pertaining to properties occupied by the separated companies as well as certain litigation that pertains to the businesses of such companies in which we are also named. Any failure by the separated companies to pay any of their assumed liabilities when due or to indemnify us when required may adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The market price of our shares may fluctuate widely.
We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock will trade. The market price of our common stock experienced substantial volatility in the past and may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:
| our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry, including our key suppliers; |
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| actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; |
| changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; |
| announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, dispositions, strategies, marketing affiliations, projections, fleet costs, pricing actions or other competitive actions; |
| changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates; |
| changes in investors and analysts perceptions of our industry, business or related industries; |
| the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; |
| overall market fluctuations; and |
| general economic conditions and conditions in the credit markets. |
Our shareholders percentage of ownership may be diluted in the future.
Our shareholders percentage of ownership may be diluted in the future due to equity issuances, conversion of our convertible senior notes due 2014, the exercise of warrants that we issued in 2009 or equity awards that we granted or will grant to our directors, officers and employees. Holders of our convertible senior notes may convert their notes into up to 21 million shares of our common stock. In 2011, we granted approximately 1.1 million restricted stock units and in January 2012, we granted approximately 1.6 million restricted stock units. We also expect to grant restricted stock units, stock options and/or other types of equity awards in the future.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and corporate by-laws, as well as requirements under Delaware law, could prevent or delay a potential acquisition of our Company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated by-laws and laws in the State of Delaware contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the prospective acquirer and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:
| elimination of the right of our stockholders to act by written consent; |
| rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings; |
| the right of our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; and |
| limitations on the right of stockholders to remove directors. |
Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock.
We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our Board of Directors and by providing our Board with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make our Company immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders.
27
Conversion of our convertible senior notes due 2014 and the note hedge and warrant transactions entered into in connection with the issuance of the notes may have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
Any of the following transactions and activities could adversely affect the value of our common stock in connection with our issuance of $345 million of 3.5% convertible senior notes due 2014 and the note hedge and warrant transactions entered into in connection with such issuance:
| the conversion of some or all of our convertible senior notes, any sales by noteholders in the public market of our common stock issued upon such conversion and any selling of our common stock (including short selling) due to the existence of the notes; |
| the exercise of some or all of the warrants, any sales by warrantholders in the public market of our common stock issued upon such exercise of the warrants and any selling of our common stock (including short selling) due to the existence of the warrants; and |
| the entry into, or the modification or the unwinding of, various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock by the counterparties in connection with their obligations under the note hedge and warrant transactions. |
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
Our principal executive offices are located at leased offices at 6 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 pursuant to a lease agreement that expires in 2023. We also own a facility in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which serves as a satellite administrative facility for our car and truck rental operations. Office space is also leased in Greenwood Village, Colorado, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, pursuant to leases expiring in 2015 and 2022, respectively. These locations primarily provide operational services for both brands, including contact center operations. We also lease office space in Bracknell, England, Barcelona, Spain and Budapest, Hungary, pursuant to leases expiring in 2015, 2013 and 2013, respectively, for corporate offices, contact center activities and other administrative functions, respectively, in Europe. There are approximately 25 other leased office locations throughout the world used for administrative activities, regional sales and operations activities.
We lease or have vehicle rental concessions for both the Avis and Budget brands at locations throughout the world. Avis operates approximately 1,200 locations in North America and approximately 900 locations outside North America. Of those locations, approximately 260 in North America and approximately 180 outside North America are at airports. Budget operates at approximately 850 locations in North America, of which approximately 200 are at airports. Budget also operates at approximately 250 locations outside North America, of which approximately 120 are at airports. Typically, pursuant to various airport concession agreements that we have entered into both in North America and internationally, we are contractually obligated to pay certain airports a percentage of our vehicle rental revenue, with a guaranteed minimum. Because there is a limit to the number of vehicle rental locations in an airport, vehicle rental companies frequently bid for the available locations, usually on the basis of the size of the guaranteed minimums. We believe that our properties are sufficient to meet our present needs and we do not anticipate any difficulty in securing additional space, as needed, on acceptable terms.
ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
On November 14, 2007, two California residents filed a putative class action lawsuit, captioned Michael Shames et al. v. The Hertz Corp. et al., No. 07 CV 2174H (S.D. Cal.), against the Company, six other rental car companies, the California Travel and Tourism Commission (the CTTC) and the CTTCs Executive Director, alleging that the defendants violated federal antitrust law and Californias Unfair Competition Law and False
28
Advertising Law by allegedly agreeing to pass on airport concession fees and a state tourism commission assessment to passenger car renters in California. The plaintiffs are seeking treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys fees and costs. The district court has dismissed all claims against us and other car rental defendants, except for the federal antitrust claim, and dismissed all claims against the CTTC. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals initially affirmed the dismissal of the antitrust claims against the CTTC, but later reversed its opinion, making the CTTC again a party to the district court proceedings. The Company denies the allegations and continues to defend the case.
In October 2009, a judgment was entered against us for damages related to breach of contract in the amount of $16 million in Alaska Rent A Car, Inc. v. Cendant Corp., et al., in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2003 by our licensee, Alaska Rent-A-Car, involved breach of contract and other claims related to the acquisition of our Budget vehicle rental business in 2002. In addition to the judgment for damages, in June 2010 the district court also entered an order against the Company in the amount of $3.3 million, in favor of the plaintiffs motions for pre-judgment interest and attorneys fees. We are awaiting a ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on our appeal of the judgment and the award of attorneys fees.
The Company is involved in legal proceedings related to wage and hour and employee classification claims, including the following:
In May 2008, a civil collective action complaint currently captioned Matt Ravenell v. Avis Budget Group, Inc., Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC and Avis Rent A Car System, LLC, No. 08 CV 02113 (E.D.N.Y.), was filed against us alleging that the Company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and the State of New Yorks labor laws by misclassifying shift managers as employees exempt from overtime. The plaintiffs, former Avis shift managers, seek to recover, on behalf of themselves and all other individuals who are similarly situated, alleged unpaid overtime compensation, as well as attorneys fees and costs. In addition, two of the named plaintiffs assert individual claims of retaliation against the Company. Conditional class certification with respect to Plaintiffs Fair Labor Standards Act claims was granted to plaintiffs in July 2010.
A civil collective action complaint, similar to the Ravenell matter, was also filed against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in September 2010, alleging misclassification of shift managers as exempt from overtime in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Two putative class actions are also pending against us in California alleging violations of state law regarding meal breaks, among other claims. Both California cases are currently subject to a court-ordered stay pending a decision by the California Supreme Court in an existing case not involving the Company. We intend to vigorously defend each of these suits.
Additionally, we are involved in other unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. The most prevalent of these unresolved actions involve disputes related to contracts, licensees, employment issues, or intellectual property rights. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions, we believe that the actions not specifically discussed herein will not individually or in the aggregate have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not applicable.
29
PART II
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Market Price of Common Stock
Our common stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol CAR. Prior to December 31, 2010, our common stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and the following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for 2011 and on the NYSE for 2010. At January 31, 2012, the number of stockholders of record was approximately 4,627.
2011 |
High | Low | ||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 18.26 | $ | 13.69 | ||||
Second Quarter |
19.20 | 15.70 | ||||||
Third Quarter |
17.73 | 9.67 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter |
14.62 | 8.89 | ||||||
2010 |
High | Low | ||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 13.63 | $ | 9.66 | ||||
Second Quarter |
16.85 | 9.76 | ||||||
Third Quarter |
12.89 | 8.57 | ||||||
Fourth Quarter |
15.64 | 10.78 |
Dividend Policy
We neither declared nor paid any cash dividend on our common stock in 2011 and 2010, and we do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock is limited by the Companys senior credit facilities, the indentures governing our senior notes and our vehicle financing programs, insofar as we may seek to pay dividends out of funds made available to Avis Budget by Avis Budget Car Rental and/or its subsidiaries. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our businesses, covenants associated with certain debt obligations, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.
30
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information about shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, stock settled stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units under all of our existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2011. The table excludes 2.5 million shares of our common stock available for issuance pursuant to the 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, approved by stockholders.
Plan Category |
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, Rights and Restricted Stock Units (c) |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (Excludes Restricted Stock Units) ($) (c) |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in First Column) |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by Company stockholders (a) |
6,787,639 | 7.42 | 3,361,623 | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by Company stockholders (b)(d) |
518,605 | 26.97 | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
7,306,244 | 10.00 | 3,361,623 |
(a) | The number of securities to be issued includes options and other awards granted under the following plans approved by stockholders: 2007 Equity and Incentive Plan; 1997 Stock Incentive Plan; 1997 Stock Option Plan; 1987 Stock Option Plan and the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. The 1997 Stock Incentive Plan; 1997 Stock Option Plan; 1987 Stock Option Plan and the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan were each approved with respect to an initial allocation of shares. The number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans represents solely shares available for issuance under the 2007 Equity and Incentive Plan. |
(b) | Includes options and other awards granted under the following plans: 1999 Broad-Based Employee Stock Option Plan; 1992 Employee Stock Option Plan; and stand-alone option grants to former officers. The material terms of these plans are set forth under footnote (d) below. Notwithstanding the terms of these plans to the contrary, no option granted under any of these plans provides for a term in excess of 10 years or an exercise price below fair market value as of the date of grant (other than options assumed or replaced in connection with acquisitions). All options granted under these plans have been approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. |
(c) | Reflects an equitable adjustment of stock options and restricted stock units in connection with the spin-off of PHH Corporation to our stockholders during 2005 and the distributions of Realogy and Wyndham Worldwide in 2006. Also reflects the one-for-ten reverse stock split completed in September 2006. |
(d) | The following are the material terms of plans not submitted for stockholder approval: 1999 Broad-Based Employee Stock Option Plan. Awards under this plan are generally comprised of stock options and other awards valued by reference to Common Stock to employees who are not executive officers. Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of options granted under this plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. In the event of any change in corporate capitalization, reorganization or similar event, shares subject to outstanding awards and the exercise price of outstanding options may be adjusted or substituted for, as the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors may determine. Each option granted under this plan will become immediately exercisable upon a change-of-control transaction (as defined in the plan). Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, following termination of employment, options granted under this plan generally will remain exercisable, to the extent exercisable at the time of termination, for one year (two years, in the case of retirement, death or disability). |
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
31
Performance Graph
The following graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2006, and compares (A) the yearly change in our cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock (as measured by dividing (i) the sum of (a) the cumulative amount of dividends, assuming dividend reinvestment, during the five years commencing on the last trading day before January 1, 2006 and ending on December 31, 2011, and (b) the difference between our stock price at the end and the beginning of the periods presented by (ii) the share price at the beginning of the periods presented with (B) the Standard & Poors MidCap 400 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Transportation Average Index.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Avis Budget Group, Inc., the S&P Midcap 400 Index,
and the Dow Jones US Transportation Average Index
32
ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
At or For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
(In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Results of Operations |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 5,900 | $ | 5,185 | $ | 5,131 | $ | 5,984 | $ | 5,986 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (29 | ) | $ | 54 | $ | (47 | ) | $ | (1,124 | ) | $ | (947 | ) | ||||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| | | | 31 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (29 | ) | $ | 54 | $ | (47 | ) | $ | (1,124 | ) | $ | (916 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Per Share Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (11.04 | ) | $ | (9.18 | ) | ||||||
Diluted |
(0.28 | ) | 0.49 | (0.46 | ) | (11.04 | ) | (9.18 | ) | |||||||||||
Income from discontinued operations: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 0.30 | ||||||||||
Diluted |
| | | | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.46 | ) | $ | (11.04 | ) | $ | (8.88 | ) | ||||||
Diluted |
(0.28 | ) | 0.49 | (0.46 | ) | (11.04 | ) | (8.88 | ) | |||||||||||
Cash dividends declared |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
Financial Position |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 12,938 | $ | 10,327 | $ | 10,093 | $ | 11,318 | $ | 12,474 | ||||||||||
Assets under vehicle programs |
9,090 | 6,865 | 6,522 | 7,826 | 7,981 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate debt |
3,205 | 2,502 | 2,131 | 1,789 | 1,797 | |||||||||||||||
Debt under vehicle programs (a) |
5,564 | 4,515 | 4,374 | 6,034 | 5,596 | |||||||||||||||
Stockholders equity |
412 | 410 | 222 | 93 | 1,465 |
(a) | Includes related-party debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP), LLC. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. |
In presenting the financial data above in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. See Critical Accounting Policies under Item 7 included elsewhere herein for a detailed discussion of the accounting policies that we believe require subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results.
Restructuring, Transaction-related Costs and Other Items
During 2011 and 2010, we recorded $255 million and $14 million, respectively, of transaction-related costs related to our acquisition of Avis Europe plc (Avis Europe) and our previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (Dollar Thrifty). During 2011, these costs included a $117 million non-cash charge related to the unfavorable license rights reacquired by the Company, that provided Avis Europe with royalty-free license rights within certain territories, $49 million for losses on foreign-currency transactions related to the Avis Europe Acquisition purchase price, and $89 million of expenses related to due-diligence, advisory and other costs. See Notes 1 and 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2010, these costs related to due-diligence and other cost for our previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty.
During 2011, we began to integrate the operations of Avis Europe and incurred $3 million in related charges. We recorded charges related to other restructuring initiatives of $2 million in 2011, $11 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009, and $28 million in 2008. See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
33
In 2010, we recorded $52 million of expense related to the early extinguishment of a portion of our corporate debt and associated interest rate swaps.
In 2009, we recorded an approximately $33 million ($20 million, net of tax) non-cash charge for the impairment of investments, to reflect the other-than-temporary decline of the investments fair value below its carrying value. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2008, we recorded an approximately $1.3 billion ($1.1 billion, net of tax) non-cash charge to reflect (i) the impairment of goodwill, (ii) the impairment of our tradenames assets and (iii) the impairment of an investment. These charges reflect the decline in their fair value below their carrying value, primarily as a result of reduced market valuations for vehicle services and other companies, as well as reduced profit forecasts due to soft economic conditions and increased financing costs. In 2007, we recorded an approximately $1.2 billion ($1.1 billion, net of tax) non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill at each of our reporting units to reflect the decline in their fair value as evidenced by a decline in the market value of our common stock.
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, primarily represents a tax benefit realized as a result of certain elections made in connection with the disposition of Travelport on income tax returns filed during 2007.
34
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes thereto included elsewhere herein. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts in tables are in millions and those relating to our results of operations are presented before taxes.
We operate two of the most recognized brands in the global vehicle rental industry, Avis and Budget. We provide car and truck rentals and ancillary services to businesses and consumers worldwide.
In conjunction with the October 2011 acquisition of Avis Europe plc (Avis Europe and the Avis Europe Acquisition) and our increased global presence, we re-aligned components of our operating structure. We now operate in the following business segments:
| North Americaprovides car rentals in the United States and vehicle rentals in Canada, as well as related products and services. |
| Internationalprovides, and licenses the Companys brands to third parties for, vehicle rentals and ancillary products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, central America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. |
| Truck Rentalprovides truck rentals and related services to consumers and commercial users in the United States. |
Our revenues are derived principally from car and truck rentals in our Company-owned operations and include (i) time and mileage (T&M) fees charged to our customers for vehicle rentals, (ii) reimbursement from our customers for certain operating expenses we incur, including gasoline and vehicle licensing fees, as well as airport concession fees, which we pay in exchange for the right to operate at airports and other locations, and (iii) sales of loss damage waivers and insurance and rentals of navigation units and other items in conjunction with vehicle rentals. We also earn royalty revenue from our licensees in conjunction with their vehicle rental transactions.
Car rental volumes are closely associated with the travel industry, particularly airline passenger volumes, or enplanements. Because we generate a significant portion of our revenue from our on-airport operations, we expect that our ability to generate revenue growth will be somewhat dependent on increases in worldwide enplanements. Our ability to achieve profit margins consistent with prior periods remains dependent on our ability to successfully manage our costs and our revenues per vehicle. Our vehicle rental operations are seasonal. Historically, the third quarter of the year has been our strongest quarter due to the increased level of leisure travel and household moving activity. Any occurrence that disrupts rental activity during the third quarter could have a disproportionate adverse effect on our results of operations. We have a partially variable cost structure and routinely adjust the size and, therefore, the cost of our rental fleet in response to fluctuations in demand. However, certain expenses, such as rent, are fixed and cannot be reduced in response to seasonal fluctuations in our operations.
We believe that the following factors, among others, may affect and/or impact our financial condition and results of operations:
| Worldwide enplanements; |
| Fleet, pricing, marketing and strategic decisions made by us and by our competitors; |
| Changes in per-unit car fleet costs and in conditions in the used vehicle marketplace; |
| Changes in borrowing costs and in market willingness to purchase corporate and vehicle-related debt; |
| Our 2011 acquisition of Avis Europe and our ability to successfully integrate its business and realize synergies; |
35
| Changes in foreign exchange rates; and |
| Demand for truck rentals. |
We believe that the worldwide economic recovery during 2010 and 2011 has been modest, and that demand for vehicle rental services has remained below levels seen prior to the 2008-09 recession. Historically, our results of operations have declined during periods of general economic weakness. If economic conditions in the countries in which we operate were to weaken, our results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted in 2012 and beyond. As discussed further below, vehicle depreciation costs in 2011 declined significantly compared to 2010 amid a particularly strong used car market in the United States in 2011; we do not expect that such strength will continue into 2012 at the same levels that existed following the March 2011 earthquake in Japan. In our cost-reduction initiatives and restructuring activities, we are driving process improvements to reduce costs, enhance service to our customers and improve our operations.
In connection with the Avis Europe Acquisition, we incurred incremental indebtedness, which will have a material impact on our operations, financial condition and liquidity. We may pursue future acquisitions or investments and could incur additional indebtedness to help fund such transactions, which could have a material impact on our operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Due to uncertainties related to our business, there can be no assurance that we will be able to satisfy the covenants contained in our senior credit facilities and our asset-backed car rental conduit facilities. Failure to comply with such covenants could significantly impact our liquidity if we were unable to obtain an amendment or waiver or were unable to refinance or replace such facilities. See Risk FactorsRisks related to our indebtedness. There can also be no assurance that 2011 results will be indicative of results we will achieve in 2012 or other future periods.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussed below are our consolidated results of operations and the results of operations for each of our reportable segments. The results of operations of North America and International for all periods presented have been recast to conform to the current alignment of our reportable segments. The North America segment now includes our vehicle rental operations in Canada. Our Canadian operations were previously a component of our International segment.
We measure performance using the following key operating statistics: (i) rental days, which represents the total number of days (or portion thereof) a vehicle was rented, and (ii) T&M revenue per rental day, which represents the average daily revenue we earned from rental and mileage fees charged to our customers. Our car rental operating statistics (rental days and T&M revenue per rental day) are all calculated based on the actual rental of the vehicle during a 24-hour period. We believe that this methodology, while conservative, provides our management with the most relevant statistics in order to manage the business. Our calculation may not be comparable to other companies calculation of similarly-titled statistics.
Our chief operating decision maker assesses performance and allocates resources based upon the separate financial information from the Companys operating segments (see Note 22 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information). In identifying our reportable segments, we also consider the nature of services provided by our operating segments. Management evaluates the operating results of each of our reportable segments based upon revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as income from continuing operations before non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization, any impairment charge, transaction-related costs, non-vehicle related interest and income taxes. During 2011, management revised the manner in which it evaluates its operating results by excluding transaction-related costs from Adjusted EBITDA for all periods presented. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
36
Year Ended December 31, 2011 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2010
Our consolidated results of operations comprised the following:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | Change | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 5,900 | $ | 5,185 | $ | 715 | ||||||
Total expenses |
5,864 | 5,113 | 751 | |||||||||
Income before income taxes |
36 | 72 | (36 | ) | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
65 | 18 | 47 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (29 | ) | $ | 54 | $ | (83 | ) |
During 2011, our net revenues increased $715 million (14%), with approximately half of our revenue growth due to the Avis Europe Acquisition in fourth quarter 2011 and the inclusion of its revenue, in our results. For the year, we achieved a 12% increase in T&M revenue driven by an increase of 13% in North American and international car rental days and a 7% increase in truck rental days. The growth in revenues also includes a 20% increase in our ancillary revenues, such as sales of loss damage waivers and insurance products, GPS navigation unit rentals, gasoline sales and fees charged to customers, and a $78 million favorable effect related to the translation of our international results into U.S. dollars.
Total expenses increased $751 million (15%), with approximately half of the increase due to the results of Avis Europe. The total expense increase was due to (i) our $409 million (16%) increase in direct operating expenses largely resulting from costs associated with the 13% increase in car rental days; (ii) a $241 million increase in transaction-related costs primarily for due-diligence and other costs related to the Avis Europe Acquisition, including a $117 million non-cash charge related to the unfavorable license rights we reacquired and $49 million of losses on foreign-currency transactions related to the Avis Europe Acquisition; (iii) a $187 million (33%) increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily because of the Avis Europe acquisition and our strategic decision to invest in incremental advertising and marketing, as well as increased agency commissions and other costs related to higher rental volumes; and (iv) a $49 million increase in interest expense on corporate debt due to increased indebtedness, primarily related to Avis Europe Acquisition. These year-over-year increases were partially offset by (i) a $64 million (5%) decrease in vehicle depreciation and lease charges resulting from a decline in our per-unit depreciation, which include gains on sale of vehicles, (ii) the absence of the prior-year $52 million expense related to the extinguishment of a portion of our corporate debt and associated interest rate swaps, and (iii) an $18 million decrease in vehicle interest expense. Our expenses also include a $67 million adverse impact from foreign currency exchange rates. As a result of these items, and a $47 million increase in our provision for income taxes, we incurred a net loss of $29 million.
For 2011, our income tax provision was $65 million due to the non-deductibility of many of the transaction-related costs related to the Avis Europe Acquisition. For 2010, our effective tax rate was 25%.
37
Following is a more detailed discussion of the results of each of our reportable segments:
Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | % Change |
2011 | 2010 | % Change |
|||||||||||||||||||
North America |
$ | 4,495 | $ | 4,260 | 6 | % | $ | 442 | $ | 266 | 66 | % | ||||||||||||
International |
1,028 | 555 | 85 | % | 127 | 114 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Truck Rental |
376 | 367 | 2 | % | 49 | 34 | 44 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Corporate and Other (a) |
1 | 3 | * | (13 | ) | (16 | ) | * | ||||||||||||||||
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|
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Total Company |
$ | 5,900 | $ | 5,185 | 14 | % | 605 | 398 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
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Less: Non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization |
95 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense related to corporate debt, net: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
219 | 170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Early extinguishment of debt |
| 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Transaction-related costs (b) |
255 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes |
$ | 36 | $ | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Not meaningful. |
(a) | Includes unallocated corporate overhead and the elimination of transactions between segments. |
(b) | During 2011, we incurred transaction-related costs of $255 million related to the Avis Europe Acquisition (including a $117 million non-cash charge related to the reacquired unfavorable license rights, $49 million of losses on foreign-currency transactions related to the acquisition and $89 million in due-diligence and other costs) and our previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty. In 2010, we incurred $14 million of transaction-related costs related to our previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty. |
North America
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased $235 million (6%) and $176 million (66%), respectively, during 2011 compared with 2010. Revenues increased primarily due to higher rental volumes, partially offset by decreased pricing. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to higher revenue and lower fleet costs.
The revenue increase of $235 million was comprised of a $129 million (4%) increase in T&M revenue and a $106 million (10%) increase in ancillary revenues. The total revenue increase includes a $17 million increase related to foreign currency exchange rates and was largely offset in Adjusted EBITDA by the opposite impact on expenses of $15 million. The increase in T&M revenue was principally the result of a 6% increase in rental days, partially offset by a 2% decrease in T&M revenue per day. The $106 million increase in ancillary revenues reflects (i) a $54 million increase in ancillary revenues from GPS rentals, sales of loss damage waivers and insurance products, emergency road service and other items, reflecting a 5% increase on a per-rental-day basis, (ii) a $30 million increase in airport concession and vehicle licensing revenue, which was partially offset in Adjusted EBITDA by $18 million higher airport concession and vehicle licensing fees remitted to airport and other regulatory agencies, and (iii) a $22 million increase in gasoline sales, which was more than offset in Adjusted EBITDA by $38 million higher gasoline expense.
While we continued to achieve significant benefits from our cost-saving initiatives, Adjusted EBITDA reflected a $183 million (9%) increase in operating expenses, primarily related to (i) a $92 million (20%) increase in selling, general and administrative expenses principally due to our strategic decision to invest in incremental advertising, marketing and selling expenditures, as well as higher variable costs related to increased rental volumes, (ii) a $55 million (8%) increase in certain other expenses related to increased volumes, including agency operator commissions, maintenance and damage, shuttling, credit card fees, and other related costs, and (iii) a $36 million (5%) increase in employee costs, rents and other expenses related primarily to increased staffing levels due to volume and inflationary increases.
38
Adjusted EBITDA benefited from (i) $155 million (14%) decreased fleet depreciation and lease charges, reflecting a 20% improvement in per-unit fleet costs, including significant gains on sale of vehicles amid a particularly strong used car market for the better part of 2011, partially offset by an 8% increase in the average size of our car rental fleet, and (ii) a $25 million (9%) decrease in vehicle interest expense due to lower interest rates on our vehicle debt.
International
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased $473 million (85%) and $13 million (11%), respectively, during 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to the Avis Europe Acquisition during fourth quarter 2011, movements in currency exchange rates and increased rental volumes. The Avis Europe Acquisition contributed $359 million to revenue and had no effect on Adjusted EBITDA in 2011.
The revenue increase of $473 million was comprised of a $315 million (88%) increase in T&M revenue and a $158 million (79%) increase in ancillary revenues. The total increase in revenue includes a $61 million increase related to foreign currency exchange rates, impacting T&M revenue by $40 million and ancillary revenues by $21 million, and was largely offset in Adjusted EBITDA by the opposite impact on expenses of $52 million. The increase in T&M revenue was principally driven by an 86% increase in rental days, mainly due to the inclusion of the revenues after the acquisition, and a 1% increase in T&M revenue per rental day (the increase in pricing was entirely the result of the foreign currency exchange-rate effects). The increase in ancillary revenues reflects (i) a $97 million increase from GPS rentals, sales of loss damage waivers, insurance products and other items, (ii) a $37 million increase in airport concession and vehicle licensing revenues, which was more than offset in Adjusted EBITDA by $41 million of higher airport concession and vehicle licensing fees remitted to airport and other regulatory authorities, and (iii) a $24 million increase in gasoline sales, which was principally offset in Adjusted EBITDA by $19 million higher gasoline expense.
Adjusted EBITDA reflected a $293 million (117%) increase in operating expenses and a $106 million (103%) increase in fleet depreciation and lease charges. These increases were principally due to the Avis Europe Acquisition, which added to our operating locations, headcount, fleet and other operating expenses, as well as increased advertising, marketing and sales commissions, inflationary increases in rent and modestly higher per-unit fleet costs.
Truck Rental
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased $9 million (2%) and $15 million (44%), respectively, in 2011 compared with 2010.
Revenues increased as a result of a 7% increase in rental days, primarily from increased commercial volume, while T&M revenue per day decreased 3%. The increase in rental days and the decrease in average daily rate both reflect our successful initiative to increase commercial rental volumes, which carry a lower average daily rate but a longer length-of-rental which helped us increase vehicle utilization 10% in 2011. Adjusted EBITDA benefited from the increase in revenue and an $18 million (24%) decline in fleet depreciation, interest and lease charges, reflecting a 22% decline in per-unit fleet costs and a 3% decline in our average truck rental fleet. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was partially offset by a $14 million increase in maintenance and damage expenditures due to increased rental volumes and incremental vehicle repairs.
Corporate and Other
Revenues decreased $2 million and Adjusted EBITDA increased $3 million in 2011 compared with 2010. Adjusted EBITDA increased primarily due to a decrease in professional services fees.
39
Year Ended December 31, 2010 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2009
Our consolidated results of operations comprised the following:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Change | ||||||||||
Net revenues |
$ | 5,185 | $ | 5,131 | $ | 54 | ||||||
Total expenses |
5,113 | 5,208 | (95 | ) | ||||||||
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
72 | (77 | ) | 149 | ||||||||
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
18 | (30 | ) | 48 | ||||||||
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Net income (loss) |
$ | 54 | $ | (47 | ) | $ | 101 | |||||
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In 2010, our net revenues increased $54 million (1%) principally due to a 6% increase in ancillary and other revenues, such as sales of loss damage waivers and insurance products, gasoline sales and fees charged to customers. This increase in ancillary revenue was partially offset by a 1% decrease in T&M revenue in our car rental operations, resulting primarily from a 2% decline in North America and international car rental days partially mitigated by a 1% increase in T&M revenue per rental day. In addition, the increase in revenue reflected a $97 million favorable effect related to the translation of our international operations results into U.S. dollars.
Total expenses decreased $95 million (2%) principally due to (i) a $138 million (10%) decrease in vehicle depreciation and lease charges resulting from a 9% decline in car per-unit fleet costs and a 1% decline in our average car rental fleet; (ii) the absence of the $33 million in impairment charges recorded in 2009; (iii) a $20 million (1%) decrease in direct operating expenses largely resulting from the 2% decrease in car rental days, reduced staffing levels, other cost-saving actions and the absence of the $18 million charge recorded in 2009 for a litigation judgment against us related to the 2002 acquisition of our Budget vehicle rental business; and (iv) a $9 million decrease in restructuring costs. These year-over-year decreases were partially offset by (i) a $52 million expense related to the early extinguishment of a portion of our corporate debt and associated interest rate swaps; (ii) a $32 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily related to increased marketing and commission expenditures, but also including $14 million of due-diligence and other costs associated with our previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty; (iii) a $17 million increase in interest expense on corporate debt; and (iv) a $10 million increase in vehicle interest. The decrease in total expenses includes an adverse impact from foreign currency exchange rates of $80 million. As a result of these items, offset by a $48 million increase in our provision for income taxes, our net income increased by $101 million during 2010 compared to 2009.
Our effective tax rate was a provision of 25.0% for 2010, which differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to a benefit relating to additional tax depreciation within our operations in Australia. For 2009, our effective tax rate was a benefit of 39.0%.
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Following is a more detailed discussion of the results of each of our reportable segments:
Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | % Change |
2010 | 2009 | % Change |
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North America |
$ | 4,260 | $ | 4,297 | (1 | )% | $ | 266 | $ | 140 | 90 | % | ||||||||||||
International |
555 | 478 | 16 | % | 114 | 94 | 21 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Truck Rental |
367 | 354 | 4 | % | 34 | 13 | 162 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Corporate and Other (a) |
3 | 2 | * | (16 | ) | (42 | ) | * | ||||||||||||||||
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Total Company |
$ | 5,185 | $ | 5,131 | 1 | % | 398 | 205 | ||||||||||||||||
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Less: Non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization |
90 | 96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense related to corporate debt, net: |
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Interest expense |
170 | 153 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Early extinguishment of debt |
52 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment (b) |
| 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Transaction-related costs (c) |
14 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 72 | $ | (77 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
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* | Not meaningful. |
(a) | Includes unallocated corporate overhead and the elimination of transactions between segments. For 2009, includes an $18 million charge for a litigation judgment against us related to the 2002 acquisition of our Budget vehicle rental business. |
(b) | In 2009, we recorded impairment charges of $33 million primarily related to an investment. |
(c) | In 2010, we recorded transaction-related costs of $14 million associated with our previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty. |
North America
Revenues decreased $37 million (1%) in 2010 compared with 2009 primarily due to decreased car rental volumes, while Adjusted EBITDA increased $126 million (90%), primarily due to reduced fleet costs and lower operating expenses.
The year-over-year change in revenue was comprised of a $85 million (3%) decrease in T&M revenue and a $48 million (5%) increase in ancillary and other revenues. The decrease in T&M revenue was principally the result of a 2% decrease in rental days, entirely in the first half of the year, and a 1% decrease in T&M revenue per day. The increase in ancillary revenue was primarily due to (i) a $24 million increase in sales of loss damage waivers, insurance products and emergency roadside services, and fees charged to customers, (ii) a $14 million increase in airport concession and vehicle licensing revenue, partially offset in Adjusted EBITDA by $4 million of higher airport concession and vehicle licensing fees remitted to airport and other regulatory agencies, and (iii) an $10 million increase in gasoline sales, which was more than offset in Adjusted EBITDA by $15 million of higher gasoline expense. In addition, the increase in revenue reflected a $31 million favorable effect related to the translation of our Canadian operations results into U.S. dollars.
Adjusted EBITDA benefited from $139 million (11%) of decreased fleet depreciation and lease charges, reflecting a 10% decrease in per-unit fleet costs and a 1% decrease in the average size of our North America rental fleet. We continued to achieve significant cost savings during 2010 as a result of our cost-saving initiatives, as Adjusted EBITDA also reflected a $46 million (2%) decrease in operating expenses, including (i) a $52 million decrease in expenses related to car rental volume including maintenance and damage, agency operator commissions, credit card fees, and other costs, and (ii) a $23 million decrease in employee costs, rents and other expenses related primarily to reduced staffing levels and the closure of unprofitable locations. These
41
cost decreases were partially offset by (i) an $18 million increase in vehicle interest primarily driven by higher vehicle-backed debt balances, (ii) a $12 million increase in insurance related costs, and (iii) a $10 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily for marketing expenditures.
International
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased $77 million (16%) and $20 million (21%), respectively, in 2010 compared with 2009, primarily due to the impact of foreign currency exchange movements, increased ancillary revenues and lower fleet costs on a constant-currency basis.
The revenue increase was comprised of a $48 million (16%) increase in T&M revenue and a $29 million (17%) increase in ancillary and other revenues. The total increase in revenue includes a $67 million increase related to foreign currency exchange rates, impacting T&M revenue by $43 million and ancillary and other revenues by $24 million, and was largely offset in Adjusted EBITDA by the impact of exchange-rate movements on expenses of $51 million. The increase in T&M revenue was principally driven by a 14% increase in T&M revenue per rental day (which was entirely due to foreign exchange-rate effects), while rental days remained essentially unchanged.
Adjusted EBITDA reflected a $34 million (16%) increase in operating expenses and a $10 million (11%) increase in fleet depreciation and lease charges, primarily due to foreign-exchange effects. Our per-unit fleet costs decreased 10% excluding the impact of currency exchange rates, and the average size of our International rental fleet remained essentially unchanged.
Truck Rental
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased $13 million (4%) and $21 million, respectively, in 2010 compared with 2009.
T&M revenue increased $13 million as a result of a 5% increase in rental days, primarily from increased commercial volume, while T&M revenue per day remained unchanged. Adjusted EBITDA benefited from the increase in revenue and a $15 million (17%) decline in fleet depreciation, interest and lease charges, reflecting a 10% decline in per-unit fleet costs and an 8% decline in our average truck rental fleet.
Corporate and Other
Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased $1 million and $26 million, respectively in 2010 compared with 2009.
Adjusted EBITDA increased primarily due to the absence of expenses recorded in 2009 for (i) an $18 million charge related to a litigation judgment against us related to the 2002 acquisition of our Budget vehicle rental business and (ii) our share of the 2009 results of an equity-method investment.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We present separately the financial data of our vehicle programs. These programs are distinct from our other activities as the assets under vehicle programs are generally funded through the issuance of debt that is collateralized by such assets. The income generated by these assets is used, in part, to repay the principal and interest associated with the debt. Cash inflows and outflows relating to the generation or acquisition of such assets and the principal debt repayment or financing of such assets are classified as activities of our vehicle programs. We believe it is appropriate to segregate the financial data of our vehicle programs because, ultimately, the source of repayment of such debt is the realization of such assets.
42
FINANCIAL CONDITION
As of December 31, |
||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | Change | ||||||||||
Total assets exclusive of assets under vehicle programs |
$ | 3,848 | $ | 3,462 | $ | 386 | ||||||
Total liabilities exclusive of liabilities under vehicle programs |
5,598 | 3,962 | 1,636 | |||||||||
Assets under vehicle programs |
9,090 | 6,865 | 2,225 | |||||||||
Liabilities under vehicle programs |
6,928 | 5,955 | 973 | |||||||||
Stockholders equity |
412 | 410 | 2 |
Total assets exclusive of assets under vehicle programs at December 31, 2011 increased $386 million from December 31, 2010, primarily due to the Avis Europe Acquisition. This is principally reflected in increases in goodwill and other intangibles of $285 million and $247 million, respectively, related to the allocation of the Avis Europe Acquisition purchase price. Increases of $192 million in trade receivables, $98 million in other current assets, $68 million in property and equipment and $49 million in other non-current assets were primarily the result of the Avis Europe Acquisition. These increases are partially offset by a $377 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents primarily related to payment for the Avis Europe Acquisition (see Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCash Flows) and a $153 million decrease in deferred income tax assets.
Total liabilities exclusive of liabilities under vehicle programs increased approximately $1.6 billion primarily due to the Avis Europe Acquisition. Long-term debt increased $674 million, principally to fund the Avis Europe Acquisition. The $508 million increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities and the $425 million increase in other non-current liabilities were primarily due to assuming Avis Europes liabilities.
Assets under vehicle programs increased approximately $2.2 billion, primarily due to (i) the inclusion of Avis Europes vehicle rental fleet and related assets and (ii) an increase in the size of our North American vehicle rental fleet to accommodate increased rental demand.
Liabilities under vehicle programs increased approximately $1.0 billion, reflecting the impact of the Avis Europe Acquisition and additional borrowing to support the increase in our North American vehicle rental fleet. See Liquidity and Capital ResourcesDebt and Financing Arrangements for a detailed account of the change in our debt related to vehicle programs.
Stockholders equity increased $2 million in 2011.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash on hand and our ability to generate cash through operations and financing activities, as well as available funding arrangements and committed credit facilities, each of which is discussed below.
During 2011, we issued $250 million in senior notes and borrowed $440 million through floating rate term loans, using the proceeds to partially fund the Avis Europe Acquisition and to repay a portion of assumed Avis Europes outstanding corporate indebtedness. We increased our outstanding debt under vehicle programs, through the issuance of notes to finance the North America vehicle rental fleet, capital leases and other financing arrangements to primarily finance our international fleet and indebtedness assumed with Avis Europe.
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Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2011 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2010
At December 31, 2011, we had $534 million of cash on hand, a decrease of $377 million from $911 million at December 31, 2010. The following table summarizes such decrease:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | Change | ||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): |
||||||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 1,578 | $ | 1,640 | $ | (62 | ) | |||||
Investing activities |
(2,373 | ) | (1,603 | ) | (770 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities |
424 | 380 | 44 | |||||||||
Effects of exchange rate changes |
(6 | ) | 12 | (18 | ) | |||||||
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Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | (377 | ) | $ | 429 | $ | (806 | ) | ||||
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During 2011, we generated $62 million less cash from operating activities compared with 2010. This change principally represented the absence of the 2010 reimbursement from Realogy and Wyndham.
We used $770 million more cash in investing activities during 2011 compared with 2010. This change primarily reflects the Avis Europe Acquisition. The cash used for the acquisition was slightly offset by the activities of our vehicle programs, in which we used $74 million less cash in 2011, primarily due to an increase in proceeds received on the disposition of vehicles. We anticipate that our non-vehicle capital expenditure will approximate $125 million in 2012.
We generated $44 million more cash from financing activities during 2011 compared with 2010. This change primarily reflects a $526 million net increase in cash provided from our vehicle programs financing activities due primarily to increased borrowings in 2011, partially offset by a net decrease in cash provided by proceeds from and payments on corporate borrowings of $441 million in 2011 compared to 2010 due primarily to higher proceeds raised in 2010 and subsequently used for corporate debt repayments.
Year Ended December 31, 2010 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2009
At December 31, 2010, we had $911 million of cash on hand, an increase of $429 million from $482 million at December 31, 2009. The following table summarizes such increase:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Change | ||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): |
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Operating activities |
$ | 1,640 | $ | 1,491 | $ | 149 | ||||||
Investing activities |
(1,603 | ) | 166 | (1,769 | ) | |||||||
Financing activities |
380 | (1,465 | ) | 1,845 | ||||||||
Effects of exchange rate changes |
12 | 32 | (20 | ) | ||||||||
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Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 429 | $ | 224 | $ | 205 | ||||||
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In 2010, we generated $149 million more cash from operating activities compared with 2009. The change principally resulted from the reimbursement from Wyndham for the use of certain of our tax attributes in connection with the conclusion of the IRS audit and improved operating results, partially offset by the termination of interest rate swaps in 2010.
We used approximately $1.8 billion more cash in investing activities in 2010 compared with 2009. This change primarily reflects the activities of our vehicle programs, which used approximately $1.3 billion more cash to
44
purchase vehicles and received $825 million less in proceeds from the disposition of vehicles. The use of cash in investing activities in 2010 reflects a more typical pattern for us, whereas the 2009 result reflects the effects of our reducing our fleet size in response to particularly weak economic conditions and demand for travel services.
We generated approximately $1.8 billion more cash from financing activities in 2010 compared with 2009. This change primarily reflects an approximately $1.8 billion net increase in cash provided from our vehicle programs financing activities due to our use of cash in financing activities in 2009 for significant debt repayment associated with reducing our fleet size in response to weak economic conditions as discussed above.
Debt and Financing Arrangements
At December 31, 2011, we had approximately $8.8 billion of indebtedness (including corporate indebtedness of approximately $3.2 billion and debt under vehicle programs of approximately $5.6 billion).
Corporate indebtedness consisted of:
Maturity Date |
As of December 31, |
Change | ||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Term Loan (a) (b) |
April 2014 | $ | 267 | $ | 271 | $ | (4 | ) | ||||||||
Floating Rate Senior Notes (b) |
May 2014 | 250 | 250 | | ||||||||||||
7 5/8% Senior Notes |
May 2014 | 200 | 200 | | ||||||||||||
3 1/2% Convertible Senior Notes (c) |
October 2014 | 345 | 345 | | ||||||||||||
7 3/4% Senior Notes |
May 2016 | 375 | 375 | | ||||||||||||
Floating Rate Term Loan (a) (d) |
May 2016 | 20 | | 20 | ||||||||||||
9 5/8% Senior Notes |
March 2018 | 445 | 444 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Floating Rate Term Loan (a) (d) |
September 2018 | 412 | | 412 | ||||||||||||
8 1/4% Senior Notes |
January 2019 | 602 | 602 | | ||||||||||||
9 3/4% Senior Notes (e) |
March 2020 | 250 | | 250 | ||||||||||||
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3,166 | 2,487 | 679 | ||||||||||||||
Other |
39 | 15 | 24 | |||||||||||||
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$ | 3,205 | $ | 2,502 | $ | 703 | |||||||||||
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(a) | The floating rate term loans are part of our senior credit facilities, which also includes our revolving credit facility maturing 2016, and is secured by pledges of all of the capital stock of our domestic subsidiaries and up to 66% of the capital stock of each direct foreign subsidiary, subject to certain exceptions, and liens on substantially all of our intellectual property and certain other real and personal property. |
(b) | As of December 31, 2011, the floating rate term loan due 2014 bears interest at the greater of three-month LIBOR or 1.50% plus 425 basis points for an aggregate rate of 5.75% and the floating rate notes due 2014 bear interest at three-month LIBOR plus 250 basis points, for an aggregate rate of 3.08%. We use various hedging strategies, including derivative instruments, to manage a portion of the risks associated with our floating rate debt. |
(c) | The 3 1/2% convertible notes are convertible by the holders into approximately 21 million shares of our common stock. |
(d) | As of December 31, 2011, the floating rate term loan due 2016 bears interest at three-month LIBOR plus 300 basis points, for an aggregate rate of 3.58% and the floating rate term loan due 2018 bears interest at the greater of three-month LIBOR or 1.25% plus 500 basis points, for an aggregate rate of 6.25%. Proceeds were used to partially fund the Avis Europe Acquisition. |
(e) | During October 2011, we issued the 9 3/4% notes at par. Proceeds were used to partially fund the Avis Europe Acquisition. |
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The following table summarizes the components of our debt under vehicle programs (including related party debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC (Avis Budget Rental Car Funding)):
As of December 31, | Change | |||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||
Debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (a) |
$ | 4,574 | $ | 3,987 | $ | 587 | ||||||
Budget Truck financing (b) |
188 | 244 | (56 | ) | ||||||||
Capital leases (c) |
348 | | 348 | |||||||||
Other (d) |
454 | 284 | 170 | |||||||||
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$ | 5,564 | $ | 4,515 | $ | 1,049 | |||||||
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(a) | The increase reflects increased borrowing within North America operations, principally due to an increase in the size of our North American car rental fleet. |
(b) | The decrease reflects principal payments on borrowings. |
(c) | The increase reflects the inclusion of capital lease arrangements related to Avis Europes vehicle rental fleet. |
(d) | The increase primarily reflects an increase in borrowings related to an increase in the size of our international fleet, primarily as a result of the Avis Europe Acquisition. |
The following table provides the contractual maturities for our corporate debt and our debt under vehicle programs (including related party debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding) at December 31, 2011:
Corporate Debt |
Debt under Vehicle Programs |
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Due in 2012 |
$ | 37 | $ | 2,184 | ||||
Due in 2013 |
10 | 780 | ||||||
Due in 2014 |
1,064 | 865 | ||||||
Due in 2015 |
8 | 798 | ||||||
Due in 2016 |
393 | 883 | ||||||
Thereafter |
1,693 | 54 | ||||||
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$ | 3,205 | $ | 5,564 | |||||
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At December 31, 2011, we had approximately $4.6 billion of available funding under our various financing arrangements (comprised of $766 million of availability under our credit facilities and approximately $3.8 billion available for use in our vehicle programs). As of December 31, 2011, the committed non-vehicle-backed credit facilities available to us and/or our subsidiaries included:
Total Capacity |
Outstanding Borrowings |
Letters of Credit Issued |
Available Capacity |
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Revolving credit facility maturing 2016 (a) |
$ | 1,400 | $ | | $ | 643 | $ | 757 | ||||||||
Other facilities (b) |
11 | 2 | | 9 |
(a) | This revolving credit facility matures in April 2016 and bears interest of one month LIBOR plus 300 basis points. The senior credit facilities, which encompass our floating rate term loans and revolving credit facility, are secured by pledges of all of the capital stock of all of our domestic subsidiaries and up to 66% of the capital stock of each direct foreign subsidiary, subject to certain exceptions, and liens on substantially all of our intellectual property and certain other real and personal property. |
(b) | These facilities encompass bank overdraft lines of credit, bearing interest of 5.14%-7.25% as of December 31, 2011. |
At December 31, 2011, the Company had various uncommitted credit facilities available, under which it had drawn approximately $25 million, which bear interest at rates of 0.50%-3.58%.
46
The following table presents available funding under our debt arrangements related to our vehicle programs at December 31, 2011:
Total Capacity (a) |
Outstanding Borrowings |
Available Capacity |
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Debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (b) |
$ | 7,199 | $ | 4,574 | $ | 2,625 | ||||||
Budget Truck financing (c) |
188 | 188 | | |||||||||
Capital leases |
542 | 348 | 194 | |||||||||
Other (d) |
1,479 | 454 | 1,025 | |||||||||
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$ | 9,408 | $ | 5,564 | $ | 3,844 | |||||||
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(a) | Capacity is subject to maintaining sufficient assets to collateralize debt. |
(b) | The outstanding debt is collateralized by approximately $6.3 billion of underlying vehicles and related assets. |
(c) | The outstanding debt is collateralized by $302 million of underlying vehicles and related assets. |
(d) | The outstanding debt is collateralized by approximately $1.7 billion of underlying vehicles and related assets. |
The significant terms for our outstanding debt instruments, credit facilities and available funding arrangements as of December 31, 2011, can be found in Notes 15 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Our primary liquidity needs include the payment of operating expenses, servicing of corporate and vehicle-related debt and procurement of rental vehicles to be used in our operations. The present intention of management is to reinvest the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries indefinitely in its foreign operations. We do not anticipate the need to repatriate funds to the U.S. to service corporate debt. Our primary sources of funding are operating revenue, cash received upon sale of vehicles, borrowings under our vehicle-backed borrowing arrangements and our revolving credit facility, and other financing activities.
As we discussed above, as of December 31, 2011, we have cash and cash equivalents of $534 million, available borrowing capacity under our committed facilities of $766 million, and available capacity under our vehicle programs of approximately $3.8 billion.
Our liquidity position may be negatively affected by financial market disruptions or a downturn in the U.S. and worldwide economies, which may result in unfavorable conditions in the vehicle rental industry, in the asset-backed financing market, and in the credit markets generally. We believe these factors have affected and could affect the debt ratings assigned to us by credit rating agencies and the cost of our borrowings. Additionally, a downturn in the worldwide economy or a disruption in the credit markets could impact our liquidity due to (i) decreased demand and pricing for vehicles in the used vehicle market, (ii) increased costs associated with, and/or reduced capacity or increased collateral needs under, our financings, (iii) the adverse impact of vehicle manufacturers, including General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler LLC, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Volkswagen Group, Kia Motors America, Inc., Hyundai Motor America, Toyota Motor Corporation, Renault, S.A., Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. being unable or unwilling to honor their obligations to repurchase or guarantee the depreciation on the related program vehicles, (iv) disruption in our ability to obtain financing due to negative credit events specific to us or affecting the overall debt market, (v) the impact of an insolvency event or actual or potential default by any of the financial guaranty firms that have insured a portion of our outstanding vehicle-backed debt and (vi) the effect of any of Realogy, Wyndham or Travelport being unable or unwilling to honor their respective obligations under the Separation Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement. Financial guaranty firms Ambac Assurance Corporation and Assured Guaranty Corp. currently provide financial guaranties for approximately $900 million (expiring in 2012) and $208 million (expiring in 2012), respectively, of our U.S. term asset-backed car rental financing. Certain insolvency events by these financial guarantors would result in principal of the related financings being required to be repaid sooner than anticipated.
47
Our liquidity position also may be negatively affected if we are unable to remain in compliance with the financial and other covenants associated with our senior credit facilities and other borrowings. The financial covenants of our senior credit facilities include maximum leverage and minimum coverage ratio requirements. As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with the financial covenants in our senior credit facilities.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our principal future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011:
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt (a) |
$ | 37 | $ | 10 | $ | 1,064 | $ | 8 | $ | 393 | $ | 1,693 | $ | 3,205 | ||||||||||||||
Debt under vehicle programs (b) |
2,184 | 780 | 865 | 798 | 883 | 54 | 5,564 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Debt interest |
442 | 354 | 282 | 224 | 186 | 289 | 1,777 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating leases (c) |
516 | 377 | 272 | 205 | 157 | 784 | 2,311 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Commitments to purchase vehicles (d) |
5,245 | | | | | | 5,245 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax obligations (e) |
| | | | | 169 | 169 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other purchase commitments (f) |
93 | 32 | 22 | 5 | | | 152 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 8,517 | $ | 1,553 | $ | 2,505 | $ | 1,240 | $ | 1,619 | $ | 2,989 | $ | 18,423 | |||||||||||||||
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(a) | Consists primarily of the Companys approximately $2.1 billion of fixed and floating rate senior notes, $699 million of floating rate term loans and $345 million of convertible senior notes. |
(b) | Represents debt, including related party debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (see Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements), and capital leases, which were issued to support the purchase of vehicles. |
(c) | Operating lease obligations are presented net of sublease rentals to be received (see Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). |
(d) | Represents commitments to purchase vehicles, the majority of which are from Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company and Chrysler Group LLC. These commitments are generally subject to the vehicle manufacturers satisfying their obligations under the repurchase and guaranteed depreciation agreements. The purchase of such vehicles is generally financed through financings under vehicle programs in addition to cash received upon the sale of vehicles, many of which were purchased under repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs (see Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). |
(e) | Primarily represents income tax uncertainties, $16 million of which is subject to indemnification by Realogy and Wyndham. We are unable to estimate the period in which cash payments related to these income tax uncertainties are expected to be paid. |
(f) | Primarily represents commitments under service contracts for information technology and telecommunications and marketing agreements with travel service companies. |
For more information regarding guarantees and indemnifications, see Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Critical Accounting Policies
In presenting our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events and/or events that are outside of our control. If there is a significant unfavorable change to current conditions, it could result in a material adverse impact to our consolidated results of operations, financial position and liquidity. We believe that the estimates and assumptions we used when preparing our financial statements were the most appropriate at that time. Presented below are those accounting policies that we believe require
48
subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results. However, our businesses operate in environments where we are paid a fee for a service performed, and therefore the results of the majority of our recurring operations are recorded in our financial statements using accounting policies that are not particularly subjective, nor complex.
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. We have reviewed the carrying value of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. In performing this review, we are required to make an assessment of fair value for our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. When determining fair value, we utilize various consistent assumptions, including the fair market trading price of our common stock and managements projections of future cash flows. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause the fair value to be less than the respective carrying amount. In such event, we would then be required to record a charge, which would impact earnings. We review the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.
Our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated among our reporting units. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, there was no impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets.
Business Combinations. The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, which requires that the purchase price of acquired companies be allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, as applicable, at their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
Our assessment of the purchase price allocation and the related fair values requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions with respect to intangible assets. Examples of critical valuation assumptions used by management include projected future cash flows, the estimated weighted average cost of capital and market royalty rates. We believe that our estimates are based on reasonable assumptions and, in part, on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are unpredictable and inherently uncertain, and actual results could differ from those assumptions.
Vehicles. We present vehicles at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We record the initial cost of the vehicle net of incentives and allowances from manufactures. We acquire our rental vehicles either through repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs with certain automobile manufacturers or outside of such programs. For rental vehicles purchased under such programs, we depreciate the vehicles such that the net book value on the date of sale or return to the manufacturers is intended to equal the contractual guaranteed residual values. For vehicles acquired outside of manufacturer repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs, we depreciate based on the vehicles estimated residual market values and their expected dates of disposition. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent results of operations. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance which would reduce the provision for income taxes. Currently we do not record valuation allowances on the majority of our tax loss carryforwards as there are adequate deferred tax liabilities that could be realized within the carryforward period.
49
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required to determine our worldwide provision for income taxes and to record the related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement entered into in connection with the separation of Cendant Corporation, as we were previously known, into four separate companies (the Separation), and the Separation Agreement, we are entitled to indemnification for non-Avis Budget Car Rental tax contingencies for taxable periods prior to and including the Separation.
The rules governing taxation are complex and subject to varying interpretations. Therefore, our tax accruals reflect a series of complex judgments about future events and rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions supporting our tax accruals are reasonable, the potential result of an audit or litigation related to tax could include a range of outcomes, and could result in tax liabilities for us that are materially different than those reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
See Notes 2 and 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding income taxes.
Financial Instruments. We estimate fair values for each of our financial instruments, including derivative instruments. Most of these financial instruments are not publicly traded on an organized exchange. In the absence of quoted market prices, we must develop an estimate of fair value using dealer quotes, present value cash flow models, option pricing models or other valuation methods, as appropriate. The use of these fair value techniques involves significant judgments and assumptions, including estimates of future interest rate levels based on interest rate yield curves, credit spreads of the Company and counterparties, volatility factors, and an estimation of the timing of future cash flows. The use of different assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts recorded in the financial statements, which are disclosed in Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, hedge accounting requires that, at the beginning of each hedge period, we justify an expectation that the relationship between the changes in fair value of derivatives designated as hedges compared to changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged items will be highly effective. This effectiveness assessment, which is performed at least quarterly, involves an estimation of changes in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates, as well as the probability of the occurrence of transactions for cash flow hedges. The use of different assumptions and changing market conditions may impact the results of the effectiveness assessment and ultimately the timing of when changes in derivative fair values and the underlying hedged items are recorded in earnings. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for a discussion of the effect of hypothetical changes to these assumptions.
Public Liability, Property Damage and Other Insurance Liabilities. Insurance liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets include supplemental liability insurance, personal effects protection insurance, public liability, property damage and personal accident insurance claims for which we are self-insured. We estimate the required liability of such claims on an undiscounted basis utilizing an actuarial method that is based upon various assumptions which include, but are not limited to, our historical loss experience and projected loss development factors. The required liability is also subject to adjustment in the future based upon changes in claims experience, including changes in the number of incidents and changes in the ultimate cost per incident.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
During 2011, we adopted the following standards as a result of the issuance of new accounting pronouncements:
| ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, certain disclosure requirements were adopted on January 1, 2011, as required |
| ASU No. 2010-28, When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts |
| ASU No. 2010-29, Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations |
50
| ASU No. 2011-09, Disclosures about an Employers Participation in a Multiemployer Plan |
On January 1, 2012, we adopted the following standard as a result of the issuance of new accounting pronouncements:
| ASU No. 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment |
| ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards |
| ASU No. 2011-05 and 2011-12, Presentation of Comprehensive Income |
For detailed information regarding these pronouncements and the impact thereof on our business, see Notes 1 and 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
We are exposed to a variety of market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and gasoline prices. The Avis Europe Acquisition has increased our foreign currency exchange risks. We manage our exposure to market risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments, particularly swap contracts, futures and options contracts, to manage and reduce the interest rate risk related to our debt; foreign currency forwards to manage and reduce foreign currency exchange rate risk; and derivative commodity instruments to manage and reduce the risk of changing unleaded gasoline prices.
We are exclusively an end user of these instruments. We do not engage in trading, market-making or other speculative activities in the derivatives markets. We manage our exposure to counterparty credit risk related to our use of derivatives through specific minimum credit standards, diversification of counterparties, and procedures to monitor concentrations of credit risk. Our counterparties are substantial investment and commercial banks with significant experience providing such derivative instruments.
Our total market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors including the volatility present within the markets and the liquidity of the markets. There are certain limitations inherent in the sensitivity analyses presented. These shock tests are constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and the inability to include the complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled. For additional information regarding our borrowings and financial instruments, see Notes 15, 16 and 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Currency Risk Management
We have foreign currency rate exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide and particularly with respect to the Australian dollar, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Euro and the New Zealand dollar. We use foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency swaps to manage foreign exchange risk that arises from certain intercompany transactions and from non-functional currency denominated assets and liabilities and earnings denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. Our foreign currency forward contracts are often not designated as hedges and therefore changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized in earnings as they occur. We anticipate that such foreign currency exchange rate risk will remain a market risk exposure for the foreseeable future.
We assess our market risk based on changes in foreign currency exchange rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis measures the potential impact on earnings, cash flows and fair values based on a hypothetical 10% appreciation or depreciation in the value of the underlying currencies being hedged, against the U.S. dollar at December 31, 2011. With all other variables held constant, a hypothetical 10% change (increase or
51
decrease) in foreign currency exchange rates would have an approximately $3 million effect on our earnings at December 31, 2011. Because unrealized gains or losses related to foreign currency forward and swap contracts are expected to be offset by corresponding gains or losses on the underlying exposures being hedged, when combined, these foreign currency contracts and the offsetting underlying commitments do not create a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Interest Rate Risk Management
Our primary interest rate exposure at December 31, 2011 was interest rate fluctuations in the United States, specifically LIBOR and commercial paper interest rates due to their impact on variable rate borrowings and other interest rate sensitive liabilities. We use interest rate swaps and caps to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. We anticipate that LIBOR and commercial paper rates will remain a primary market risk exposure for the foreseeable future.
We assess our market risk based on changes in interest rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. Based on our interest rate derivatives as of December 31, 2011, we estimate that a 10% change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our earnings. Because gains or losses related to interest rate derivatives are expected to be offset by corresponding gains or losses on the underlying exposures being hedged, when combined, these interest rate contracts and the offsetting underlying commitments do not create a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Commodity Risk Management
We have commodity price exposure related to fluctuations in the price of unleaded gasoline. We anticipate that such commodity risk will remain a market risk exposure for the foreseeable future. We determined that a hypothetical 10% change in the price of unleaded gasoline, would not have a material impact on our earnings at December 31, 2011.
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ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
See Consolidated Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statement Index commencing on Page F-1 hereof.
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ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
(a) | Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)). Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. |
(b) | Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework. Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting is effective. Our management has excluded Avis Budget EMEA Limited and subsidiaries (formerly Avis Europe plc) from our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, as permitted, because we acquired Avis Europe plc on October 3, 2011. Avis Budget EMEA Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Avis Budget Group and constituted 20% of consolidated total assets and 6% of consolidated revenues as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011. The effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their attestation report is included below. |
(c) | Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the last fiscal quarter, there has been no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting. |
54
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Parsippany, New Jersey
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Avis Budget Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Avis Europe plc and subsidiaries, which was acquired on October 3, 2011 and which constituted 20% of consolidated total assets, and 6% of consolidated revenues as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Avis Budget EMEA Limited and subsidiaries (formerly Avis Europe plc). The Companys management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the companys principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the companys board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
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We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 of the Company and our report dated February 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule
/s/ Deloitte & Touche
New York, New York
February 29, 2012
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
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PART III
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
The information contained in the Companys Annual Proxy Statement under the sections entitled Board of Directors, Executive Officers and Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
The information contained in the Companys Annual Proxy Statement under the section entitled Executive Compensation is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The information contained in the Companys Annual Proxy Statement under the section titled Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
Information concerning our equity compensation plans is included in Part II of this report under the caption Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.
ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
The information contained in the Companys Annual Proxy Statement under the section titled Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Board of Directors is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The information contained in the Companys Annual Proxy Statement under the section titled Ratification of Appointment of Auditors is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
ITEM 15(A)(1) | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
See Consolidated Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements Index commencing on page F-1 hereof.
ITEM 15(A)(2) | FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
See Schedule IIValuation and Qualifying Account for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 commencing on page G-1 hereof.
ITEM 15(A)(3) | EXHIBITS |
See Exhibit Index commencing on page H-1 hereof.
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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ IZILDA P. MARTINS | |
Izilda P. Martins | ||
Vice President and Acting Chief Accounting Officer | ||
Date: February 29, 2012 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ RONALD L. NELSON (Ronald L. Nelson) |
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ DAVID B. WYSHNER (David B. Wyshner) |
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ IZILDA P. MARTINS (Izilda P. Martins) |
Vice President and Acting Chief Accounting Officer |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ W. ALUN CATHCART (W. Alun Cathcart) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ MARY C. CHOKSI (Mary C. Choksi) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ LEONARD S. COLEMAN, JR. (Leonard S. Coleman, Jr.) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ MARTIN L. EDELMAN (Martin L. Edelman) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ JOHN D. HARDY, JR. (John D. Hardy, Jr.) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ LYNN KROMINGA (Lynn Krominga) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ EDUARDO G. MESTRE (Eduardo G. Mestre) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ F. ROBERT SALERNO (F. Robert Salerno) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 | ||
/s/ STENDER E. SWEENEY (Stender E. Sweeney) |
Director |
February 29, 2012 |
59
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Parsippany, New Jersey
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Avis Budget Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
February 29, 2012
F-2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31, |
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2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Revenues |
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Vehicle rental |
$ | 4,338 | $ | 3,882 | $ | 3,906 | ||||||
Other |
1,562 | 1,303 | 1,225 | |||||||||
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Net revenues |
5,900 | 5,185 | 5,131 | |||||||||
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Expenses |
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Operating |
3,025 | 2,616 | 2,636 | |||||||||
Vehicle depreciation and lease charges, net |
1,223 | 1,287 | 1,425 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
756 | 569 | 551 | |||||||||
Vehicle interest, net |
286 | 304 | 294 | |||||||||
Non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization |
95 | 90 | 96 | |||||||||
Interest expense related to corporate debt, net: |
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Interest expense |
219 | 170 | 153 | |||||||||
Early extinguishment of debt |
| 52 | | |||||||||
Restructuring charges |
5 | 11 | 20 | |||||||||
Transaction-related costs |
255 | 14 | | |||||||||
Impairment |
| | 33 | |||||||||
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|
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Total expenses |
5,864 | 5,113 | 5,208 | |||||||||
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
36 | 72 | (77 | ) | ||||||||
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
65 | 18 | (30 | ) | ||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
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Net income (loss) |
$ | (29 | ) | $ | 54 | $ | (47 | ) | ||||
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Earnings (loss) per share |
||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.46 | ) | ||||
Diluted |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.49 | $ | (0.46 | ) |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share data)
December 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 534 | $ | 911 | ||||
Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $21 and $16) |
507 | 315 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
120 | 130 | ||||||
Other current assets |
380 | 282 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets |
1,541 | 1,638 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
493 | 425 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
444 | 587 | ||||||
Goodwill |
353 | 76 | ||||||
Other intangibles, net |
713 | 481 | ||||||
Other non-current assets |
304 | 255 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets exclusive of assets under vehicle programs |
3,848 | 3,462 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Assets under vehicle programs: |
||||||||
Program cash |
11 | 4 | ||||||
Vehicles, net |
8,356 | 6,422 | ||||||
Receivables from vehicle manufacturers and other |
380 | 149 | ||||||
Investment in Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLCrelated party |
343 | 290 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
9,090 | 6,865 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 12,938 | $ | 10,327 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities and stockholders equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and other current liabilities |
$ | 1,433 | $ | 925 | ||||
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt |
37 | 8 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
1,470 | 933 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
3,168 | 2,494 | ||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
960 | 535 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities exclusive of liabilities under vehicle programs |
5,598 | 3,962 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities under vehicle programs: |
||||||||
Debt |
990 | 528 | ||||||
Debt due to Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLCrelated party |
4,574 | 3,987 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
982 | 1,333 | ||||||
Other |
382 | 107 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
6,928 | 5,955 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) |
||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par valueauthorized 10 million shares; none issued and outstanding |
| | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par valueauthorized 250 million shares; issued 137,028,464 and 136,982,068 shares |
1 | 1 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
8,532 | 8,828 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(2,666 | ) | (2,637 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
78 | 92 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost31,551,170 and 33,247,139 shares |
(5,533 | ) | (5,874 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders equity |
412 | 410 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 12,938 | $ | 10,327 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Operating activities |
||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (29 | ) $ | 54 | $ | (47 | ) | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Vehicle depreciation |
1,395 | 1,277 | 1,391 | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on sale of vehicles, net |
(234 | ) | (24 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||||
Non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization |
95 | 90 | 96 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes |
32 | (20 | ) | (60 | ) | |||||||
Impairment |
| | 33 | |||||||||
Non-cash charge on unfavorable license rights reacquired with the acquisition of Avis Europe plc |
117 | | | |||||||||
Net change in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisitions and dispositions: |
||||||||||||
Receivables |
29 | (20 | ) | 52 | ||||||||
Income taxes |
(18 | ) | (104 | ) | 10 | |||||||
Accounts payable and other current liabilities |
20 | 108 | (19 | ) | ||||||||
Reimbursement from Realogy and Wyndham for taxes paid |
| 114 | | |||||||||
Reimbursement from Wyndham for tax attributes |
| 89 | | |||||||||
Other, net |
171 | 76 | 65 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
1,578 | 1,640 | 1,491 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Investing activities |
||||||||||||
Property and equipment additions |
(65 | ) | (61 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds received on asset sales |
14 | 14 | 14 | |||||||||
Net assets acquired (net of cash acquired) |
(841 | ) | (2 | ) | | |||||||
Other, net |
(7 | ) | (6 | ) | | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used in investing activities exclusive of vehicle programs |
(899 | ) | (55 | ) | (25 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Vehicle programs: |
||||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in program cash |
(11 | ) | 162 | (145 | ) | |||||||
Investment in vehicles |
(8,659 | ) | (8,031 | ) | (6,775 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds received on disposition of vehicles |
7,196 | 6,319 | 7,144 | |||||||||
Investment in debt securities of Avis Budget Rental Car Funding |
(400 | ) | (570 | ) | | |||||||
Proceeds from debt securities of Avis Budget Rental Car Funding |
400 | 570 | | |||||||||
Other, net |
| 2 | (33 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
(1,474 | ) | (1,548 | ) | 191 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
(2,373 | ) | (1,603 | ) | 166 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-5
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(In millions)
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Financing activities |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from long-term borrowings |
682 | 1,046 | 445 | |||||||||
Principal payments on long-term borrowings |
(668 | ) | (688 | ) | (111 | ) | ||||||
Net change in short-term borrowings |
(97 | ) | | | ||||||||
Proceeds from warrant issuance |
| | 62 | |||||||||
Purchase of call options |
| | (95 | ) | ||||||||
Debt financing fees |
(78 | ) | (46 | ) | (11 | ) | ||||||
Other, net |
1 | 10 | (2 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities exclusive of vehicle programs |
(160 | ) | 322 | 288 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Vehicle programs: |
||||||||||||
Proceeds from borrowings |
10,534 | 9,355 | 7,527 | |||||||||
Principal payments on borrowings |
(9,917 | ) | (9,152 | ) | (9,147 | ) | ||||||
Net change in short-term borrowings |
| (110 | ) | (107 | ) | |||||||
Debt financing fees |
(33 | ) | (35 | ) | (26 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
584 | 58 | (1,753 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
424 | 380 | (1,465 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
(6 | ) | 12 | 32 | ||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
(377 | ) | 429 | 224 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
911 | 482 | 258 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 534 | $ | 911 | $ | 482 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Supplemental Disclosure |
||||||||||||
Interest payments |
$ | 465 | $ | 483 | $ | 461 | ||||||
Income tax payments, net |
$ | 51 | $ | 142 | $ | 20 |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(In millions)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Treasury Stock | Total Stockholders Equity |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2009 |
136.8 | $ | 1 | $ | 9,197 | $ | (2,644 | ) | $ | (194 | ) | (35.0 | ) | $ | (6,267 | ) | $ | 93 | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | (47 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment |
| | | | 104 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(28) |
| | | | 43 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $(7) |
| | | | 10 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
110 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of warrants |
| | 62 | | | | | 62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of call options, net of tax of $36 |
| | (59 | ) | | | | | (59 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net activity related to restricted stock units |
0.1 | | (101 | ) | | | 0.4 | 115 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Activity related to employee stock purchase plan |
| | (3 | ) | | | | 3 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Post-separation dividend adjustment |
| | 1 | | | | | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
| | 1 | | | | | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 |
136.9 | $ | 1 | $ | 9,098 | $ | (2,691 | ) | $ | (37 | ) | (34.6 | ) | $ | (6,149 | ) | $ | 222 | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 54 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment |
| | | | 71 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(24) |
| | | | 36 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax benefit of $(16) |
| | | | 24 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $1 |
| | | | (2 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
183 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net activity related to restricted stock units |
0.1 | | (88 | ) | | | 0.4 | 101 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options |
| | (166 | ) | | | 1.0 | 174 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reallocation of deferred taxes |
| | (16 | ) | | | | | (16 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Post-separation dividend adjustment |
| | (1 | ) | | | | | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
| | 1 | | | | | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2010 |
137.0 | $ | 1 | $ | 8,828 | $ | (2,637 | ) | $ | 92 | (33.2 | ) | $ | (5,874 | ) | $ | 410 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-7
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(In millions)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Treasury Stock | Total Stockholders Equity |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2011 |
137.0 | $ | 1 | $ | 8,828 | $ | (2,637 | ) | $ | 92 | (33.2 | ) | $ | (5,874 | ) | $ | 410 | |||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss |
| | | (29 | ) | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currency translation adjustment |
| | | | (23 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $(21) |
| | | | 33 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $0 |
| | | | 2 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $(16) |
| | | | (26 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
(43 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net activity related to restricted stock units |
| | (111 | ) | | | 0.4 | 124 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options |
| | (215 | ) | | | 1.2 | 217 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Realization of tax benefits for stock-based awards |
| | 30 | | | | | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
137.0 | $ | 1 | $ | 8,532 | $ | (2,666 | ) | $ | 78 | (31.6 | ) | $ | (5,533 | ) | $ | 412 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-8
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts are in millions, except per share amounts)
1. | Basis of Presentation |
Avis Budget Group, Inc. provides car and truck rentals and ancillary services to businesses and consumers worldwide. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts and transactions of Avis Budget Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Avis Budget), as well as entities in which Avis Budget directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest (collectively, the Company).
In conjunction with the Companys October 2011 acquisition of Avis Europe plc (Avis Europe and the Avis Europe Acquisition) and its increased global presence, the Company re-aligned its operating regions and business segments. The Company now operates the following business segments:
| North Americaprovides car rentals in the United States and vehicle rentals in Canada, as well as related products and services. |
| Internationalprovides, and licenses the Companys brands to third parties for, vehicle rentals and ancillary products and services in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, central America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. |
| Truck Rentalprovides truck rentals and related services to consumers and commercial users in the United States. |
The Companys business segment financial information presented in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements has been recast and presented to conform with the Companys current business segment reporting alignment for all periods presented.
In presenting the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Vehicle Programs. The Company presents separately the financial data of its vehicle programs. These programs are distinct from the Companys other activities since the assets under vehicle programs are generally funded through the issuance of debt that is collateralized by such assets. The income generated by these assets is used, in part, to repay the principal and interest associated with the debt. Cash inflows and outflows relating to the acquisition of such assets and the principal debt repayment or financing of such assets are classified as activities of the Companys vehicle programs. The Company believes it is appropriate to segregate the financial data of its vehicle programs because, ultimately, the source of repayment of such debt is the realization of such assets.
Transaction-related Costs
The Company completed the Avis Europe Acquisition on October 3, 2011. In addition, in September 2011, the Company announced that it had decided at the time not to pursue the acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (Dollar Thrifty) in light of current market conditions. Transaction-related costs are now being classified separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. These costs comprise acquisition-related activity including due-diligence and other costs associated with the Companys Avis Europe Acquisition and its previous efforts to acquire Dollar Thrifty. Transaction-related costs in 2011 include a non-cash charge related to the reacquired unfavorable license rights, costs for due-diligence activity, losses on foreign-currency transactions related to the Avis Europe Acquisition purchase price and other costs. Transaction-related costs for the year ended December 31, 2010, have been reclassified from selling, general and administrative expenses to
F-9
transaction-related costs to conform to the current presentation. This reclassification had no impact on total expenses, income before income taxes, net income or earnings per share. There were no transaction-related costs in 2009.
2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Accounting Principles
The Companys Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Avis Budget and all entities in which the Company has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (VIEs) for which the Company has determined it is the primary beneficiary. The Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary if it has (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb the losses (or the right to receive the benefits) of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The use of estimates and assumptions as determined by management is required in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates are based on managements evaluation of historical trends and other information available when the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared. Changes in estimates are recognized in accordance with the accounting rules for the estimate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The Company derives revenue through the operation and licensing of the Avis and Budget rental systems and, providing vehicle rentals and other services to business and leisure travelers and others. Other revenue includes rentals of GPS navigation units, sales of loss damage waivers and insurance products, fuel and fuel service charges, and other items. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the services have been rendered to customers, the pricing is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured.
Vehicle rental and rental-related revenue is recognized over the period the vehicle is rented. Licensing revenue principally consists of royalties paid by the Companys licensees and is recorded as the licensees revenue is earned (generally over the rental period of a vehicle). Revenue and expenses associated with gasoline, vehicle licensing and airport concessions are recorded on a gross basis within revenue and operating expenses.
Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange prevailing during the year. The related translation adjustments are reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholders equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $159 million and $182 million, respectively. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions are included in earnings.
F-10
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment (including leasehold improvements) are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation (non-vehicle related) is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated benefit period of the related assets, which may not exceed 20 years, or the lease term, if shorter. Useful lives are as follows:
Buildings | 30 years | |
Furniture, fixtures & equipment | 3 to 10 years | |
Capitalized software | 3 to 7 years | |
Buses and support vehicles | 4 to 15 years |
The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed for internal use when the preliminary project stage is completed and management (i) commits to funding the project and (ii) believes it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. The software developed or obtained for internal use is amortized on a straight-line basis commencing when such software is ready for its intended use. The net carrying value of software developed or obtained for internal use was $74 million and $73 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess, if any, of the fair value of the consideration transferred by the acquirer and the fair value of any non-controlling interest remaining in the acquiree, if any, over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. The Company does not amortize goodwill, but assesses it for impairment at least annually for recoverability. Other intangible assets, primarily trademarks, with indefinite lives are not amortized but are evaluated annually for impairment. Other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their remaining useful lives.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company is required to assess goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment in the fourth quarter of each year at the reporting unit level. If the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
The Company assesses goodwill for such impairment by comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its fair value using the present value of expected future cash flows. When available and as appropriate, comparative market multiples and other factors are used to corroborate the discounted cash flow results.
The Company also evaluates the recoverability of its other long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. This analysis is performed by comparing the respective carrying values of the assets to the expected future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, to be generated from such assets. Property and equipment is evaluated separately within each segment. If such analysis indicates that the carrying value of these assets is not recoverable, the carrying value of such assets is reduced to fair value.
Program Cash
Program cash primarily represents amounts specifically designated to purchase assets under vehicle programs and/or to repay the related debt.
F-11
Vehicles
Vehicles are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The initial cost of the vehicles is recorded net of incentives and allowances from manufacturers. The Company acquires many of its rental vehicles pursuant to repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs established by automobile manufacturers. Under these programs, the manufacturers agree to repurchase vehicles at a specified price and date, or guarantee the depreciation rate for a specified period of time, subject to certain eligibility criteria (such as car condition and mileage requirements). The Company depreciates vehicles such that the net book value on the date of return to the manufacturers is intended to equal the contractual guaranteed residual values, thereby minimizing any gain or loss.
Rental vehicles acquired outside of manufacturer repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs are depreciated based upon their estimated residual values at their expected dates of disposition, after giving effect to anticipated conditions in the used car market, which are reviewed on a continuous basis. Any adjustments to depreciation are made prospectively.
For 2011, 2010 and 2009, rental vehicles were depreciated at rates ranging from 3% to 46% per annum. Upon disposal of the vehicles, depreciation expense is adjusted for any difference between the net sales proceeds and the remaining book value. Vehicle-related interest expense amounts are net of vehicle-related interest income of $8 million, $11 million and $15 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Advertising Expenses
Advertising costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, recorded within selling, general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, include radio, television, yellow pages and other advertising, travel partner rewards programs, internet advertising and other promotions and were approximately $107 million, $66 million and $87 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes that it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent results of operations. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize the deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would adjust the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
The Company reports revenues net of any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company measures its assets and liabilities at fair value at the time of acquisition and revalues its derivative assets and liabilities on a recurring basis. Financial assets and liabilities are classified as follows: Level 1, which refers to assets and liabilities valued using quoted prices from active markets for identical
F-12
assets or liabilities; Level 2, which refers to assets and liabilities for which significant other observable market inputs are readily available; and Level 3, which are valued based on significant unobservable inputs.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative instruments are used as part of the Companys overall strategy to manage exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and gasoline costs. As a matter of policy, derivatives are not used for trading or speculative purposes.
All derivatives are recorded at fair value either as assets or liabilities. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item (principally vehicle interest, net). The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion is recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item, including vehicle interest, net or interest related to corporate debt, net, based upon the nature of the hedged item. Amounts included in other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged item affects earnings. Generally, all amounts related to our derivative instruments are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consistent with the nature of the hedged item (principally operating activities).
Valuation Techniques. Derivatives entered into by the Company are typically executed over-the-counter and are valued using internal valuation techniques, as no quoted market prices exist for such instruments. The valuation technique and inputs depend on the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying exposure. The Company principally uses discounted cash flows to value these instruments. These models take into account a variety of factors including, where applicable, maturity, commodity prices, interest rate yield curves of the Company and counterparties, credit curves, counterparty creditworthiness and currency exchange rates. These factors are applied on a consistent basis and are based upon observable inputs where available.
Investments
The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Common stock investments in affiliates over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but not a controlling interest are carried on the equity method of accounting. Available-for-sale securities are carried at current fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported net of taxes as a separate component of stockholders equity. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reported currently in earnings. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has investments in equity securities with a fair value of $9 million.
Joint venture investments are typically accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records its proportional share of the joint ventures net income or loss within operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had investments in several joint ventures with a carrying value of $29 million, recorded within the non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company recorded a $33 million charge ($20 million, net of tax) for impairment of its investments in 2009 to reflect the other-than-temporary decline of the investments fair value below their carrying value, based on estimated future cash flows, thereby reducing the carrying value of the investment to zero.
Aggregate realized gains and losses on investments and dividend income are recorded within operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During 2011, the Company realized a gain of $1 million from the sale of certain equity investments. There were no net realized gains or losses in 2010 and 2009.
F-13
Self-Insurance Reserves
The Consolidated Balance Sheets include $409 million and $305 million of liabilities associated with retained risks of liability to third parties as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Such liabilities relate primarily to public liability and third-party property damage claims, as well as claims arising from the sale of ancillary insurance products including but not limited to supplemental liability, personal effects protection and personal accident insurance. These obligations represent an estimate for both reported claims not yet paid and claims incurred but not yet reported. The estimated reserve requirements for such claims are recorded on an undiscounted basis utilizing actuarial methodologies and various assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the Companys historical loss experience and projected loss development factors. The required liability is also subject to adjustment in the future based upon the changes in claims experience, including changes in the number of incidents and changes in the ultimate cost per incident. These amounts are included within accounts payable and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities.
The Consolidated Balance Sheets also include liabilities of approximately $50 million and $56 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to workers compensation, health and welfare and other employee benefit programs. The liabilities represent an estimate for both reported claims not yet paid and claims incurred but not yet reported, utilizing actuarial methodologies similar to those mentioned above. These amounts are included within accounts payable and other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities.
Business Combinations
The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized if fair value can be reasonably estimated at the acquisition date. The excess, if any, of (i) the fair value of the consideration transferred by the acquirer and the fair value of any non-controlling interest remaining in the acquiree, over (ii) the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Gains and losses on the re-acquisition of unfavorable license agreements are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations upon completion of the respective acquisition. Transaction-related costs incurred to effect a business combination are expensed as incurred, except for the cost to issue debt related to the acquisition. The operating results of the acquired business are reflected in the Companys consolidated financial statements after the date of the acquisition.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards During 2011
In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-6, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASU No. 2010-6). ASU No. 2010-6 which expands the level of fair value disclosures for financial assets and liabilities. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2010, as required, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements for Level 3 instruments and fair value measurements, which were adopted on January 1, 2011, as required, and it did not have a significant impact on its financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. For such reporting units, the guidance requires an entity to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2011, as required, and it did not have an impact on its financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, which amends the disclosure requirements for supplementary pro forma information for business combinations. The Company adopted the guidance for all acquisitions occurring during 2011, and it resulted in incremental disclosure about the Companys acquisition.
F-14
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-09, Disclosures about an Employers Participation in a Multiemployer Plan, which requires employers that participate in multiemployer plans to provide additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding their participation in multiemployer plans. The Company adopted this guidance on December 31, 2011, as required, and it resulted in incremental disclosure about the Companys participation in multiemployer plans.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted accounting pronouncements amending (i) fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, (ii) the presentation of other comprehensive income and (iii) the rules for testing goodwill for impairment, and they did not have a significant impact on the Companys financial statements.
3. | Earnings Per Share |
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) for basic EPS |
$ | (29 | ) | $ | 54 | $ | (47 | ) | ||||
Convertible debt interest, net of tax |
| 7 | | |||||||||
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Net income (loss) for diluted EPS |
$ | (29 | ) | $ | 61 | $ | (47 | ) | ||||
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Basic weighted average shares outstanding |
105.2 | 103.1 | 102.2 | |||||||||
Options, warrants and non-vested stock |
| 2.4 | | |||||||||
Convertible debt |
| 21.2 | | |||||||||
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Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (a) |
105.2 | 126.7 | 102.2 | |||||||||
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Earnings (loss) per share: |
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Basic |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.53 | $ | (0.46 | ) | ||||
Diluted |
$ | (0.28 | ) | $ | 0.49 | $ | (0.46 | ) |
(a) | As the Company incurred a net loss in 2011 and 2009, all outstanding stock options, restricted stock units, stock warrants and issuable shares underlying the convertible notes issued in 2009 have an anti-dilutive effect and therefore are excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Accordingly, basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are equal for such periods. |
The following table summarizes the Companys outstanding common stock equivalents that were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the computation of diluted EPS:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
Options (a) |
3.4 | 1.4 | 7.2 | |||||||||
Warrants (b) |
21.2 | 21.2 | 21.2 | |||||||||
Shares underlying 3 1/2% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 |
21.2 | | 21.2 |
(a) | Represents all outstanding stock options for 2011 and 2009. The weighted average exercise price for anti-dilutive options for 2010 was $23.28. |
(b) | Represents all outstanding warrants for 2011, 2010 and 2009. The exercise price for the warrants issued in 2009 was $22.50. |
F-15
4. | Restructuring Charges |
During fourth quarter 2011, subsequent to the Avis Europe Acquisition, the Company initiated a restructuring initiative, identifying synergies across the Company, enhancing organizational efficiencies and consolidating and rationalizing processes and facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2011, as part of this process, the Company formally communicated the termination of employment to approximately 50 employees. In 2011, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3 million in connection with these initiatives. These charges primarily represent costs associated with severance, outplacement services and other costs associated with employee terminations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has terminated substantially all of these employees. The Company is further developing this initiative and identifying the additional restructuring costs that are expected to be incurred.
Beginning in 2008, the Company initiated strategic initiatives within the Companys North America, International and Truck Rental segments, as part of a cost-reduction and efficiency improvement plan to reduce costs, enhance organizational efficiency and consolidate and rationalize existing processes and facilities. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, as part of this process, the Company formally communicated the termination of employment to approximately 850, 1,350 and 1,750 employees, respectively. The Company recorded restructuring charges in connection with these initiatives of $2 million, $11 million and $20 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The majority of these restructuring charges have been settled in cash. These charges primarily represent costs associated with the closure and consolidation of certain administrative facilities and severance, outplacement services and other costs associated with employee terminations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had terminated substantially all of these employees. The Company has substantially completed its activities under this restructuring initiative. As of December 31, 2011, the remaining liability relating to these restructuring actions amounted to approximately $2 million, primarily for the closure and consolidation of certain facilities and severance, outplacement services and other costs associated with employee terminations.
As of January 1, 2009, the Company had $2 million of liabilities related to pre-2008 restructuring activities.
The following tables summarize the changes to our restructuring-related liabilities and identifies the amount recorded within the Companys reporting segments for restructuring charges and corresponding payments and utilizations:
Personnel Related |
Facility Related |
Asset Impairments |
Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2009 |
$ | 10 | $ | 5 | $ | 1 | $ | 16 | ||||||||
Restructuring charge |
11 | 6 | 3 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Cash payment/utilization |
(20 | ) | (7 | ) | (4 | ) | (31 | ) | ||||||||
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Balance as of December 31, 2009 |
1 | 4 | | 5 | ||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
4 | 7 | | 11 | ||||||||||||
Cash payment/utilization |
(5 | ) | (5 | ) | | (10 | ) | |||||||||
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Balance as of December 31, 2010 |
| 6 | | 6 | ||||||||||||
Restructuring charge |
5 | | | 5 | & |