Avis Budget Group is connecting more than 14,000 Ford vehicles in its European fleet, bringing a number of benefits to customers.

More than 4,000 Ford vehicles in the Avis Budget Group fleet are projected to be digitally connected in 2019, with a further 10,000 vehicles being added in 2020

The deal comes hot on the heels of the firms’ work to deploy more than 35,000 connected Ford vehicles on the Avis Budget Group US fleet, and is expected to see more than 4,000 Ford vehicles in the European fleet become digitally connected in 2019, with a further 10,000 vehicles to become connected in 2020.

Connectivity is being provided in the form of Ford Commercial Solutions’ embedded telematics solution, said to be cheaper and simpler compared to implementing aftermarket solutions, and teamed up with Transportation Mobility Cloud (TMC) from Autonomic, an open platform that securely manages information flow to and from vehicles’ embedded modems, negating the need for additional third-party hardware, management or installation downtime

As well as bring numerous management benefits to Avis, the connected vehicles also offer advantages to Avis customers, including the ability to manage their entire rental experience through the Avis mobile app, from choosing the type of vehicle they want to rent to upgrading and extending the duration of their rental from their phones. And the connected technology also automates drop-offs, allowing customers to drop off their vehicles through a simple tap in the Avis app.

Additionally, these connected Ford vehicles will provide valuable telemetry data in real time, including mileage, fuel level and vehicle condition updates. By enabling Avis Budget Group fleet managers to process information they need more quickly, customers will benefit from faster turnarounds.

Valerie Chenivesse, fleet services director – international, Avis Budget Group, said: “Following the recent announcement of more than 35,000 Ford vehicles connected in our US fleet, this expansion of a further 14,000 connected vehicles in Europe is testament to the relationship with Ford Commercial Solutions and a significant milestone in our commitment to have a fully connected global fleet. Connectivity allows us to increase efficiencies as a business, delivering a more streamlined and on-demand experience for our customers.

“It is great to work alongside an organisation which shares our mutual goal to push the boundaries of connectivity and innovation as we charge into a new era for mobility,” added Chenivesse.

Dave Phatak, director of Ford Commercial Solutions, Europe, added: “Ford Data Services and the TMC make it possible to deliver real-time connectivity across a fleet, enabling new data collection and insights. These insights make daily operations more efficient for our partners and their customers. We are thrilled to work with Avis Budget Group, whose commitment to a fully connected fleet matches ours as we deliver 100% new vehicle connectivity in Europe by the end of 2020.”