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Our Factsheet
Growing the business since 1958
In Summary: Day after day, Budget employees and operators at approximately 2,700 locations in more than 120 countries help support our vision, mission and values.
Quick History
Budget Rent A Car was founded by Morris Mirkin in 1958 with a $24,000 investment. The company name was chosen to appeal to the “budget-minded” or “value-conscious” renter. In 1959, in an effort to grow the business, Mirkin appealed to a distant relative, Jules Lederer, president of a Chicago-based manufacturer of writing instruments, for additional financing. Lederer formed a leasing company and leased new vehicles to Mirkin. In 1960, Lederer formed Budget Rent A Car Corporation in Chicago. The company then grew rapidly, both nationally and internationally.
In 1986, Gibbons, Green and van Amerongen Ltd. along with management and selected investors purchased Budget from Transamerica Corp. in a LBO transaction. Budget made an initial public offering of 3.2 million shares in 1987.
In 1992, Budget moved downtown Chicago headquarters to Lisle, Ill.
In April 1997, Budget was bought by Team Rental Group, Budget’s largest franchisee in the United States and changed its name to Budget Group, Inc. Budget Group began trading on the NYSE that year.
In 1997, Budget unveiled “Unlimited Budget” a travel agent loyalty program through which members receive a free Unlimited Budget debit MasterCard card and earn points (dollars) for completed bookings.
In 1998, Budget introduced “Fastbreak,” Budget’s express service with paperless transaction.
In 2002, Budget Group was delisted from the NYSE and sold Budget Rent A Car assets in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand to Cendant Corporation. Other worldwide assets were sold to Avis Europe, Plc. Later, Cendant moved Budget headquarters from Lisle, Ill. to Parsippany, N.J.
In 2006, Cendant Corporation separated into four independent companies: Realogy, Wyndham Worldwide, Travelport and Avis Budget Group, Inc. As a result, Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. is now a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group.
In 2011, Avis Budget Group, Inc. acquired Avis Europe plc. The transaction re-unites Avis Budget Group with its licensee for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
About this location:
Location
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Additional Travel Information
The Budget Car Rental fleet of airport car rentals at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) includes everything from spacious SUVs and luxury sedans to compact cars and fuel-efficient hybrids, so you’re sure to find the perfect CAE car rental deals for your trip here.
If you’re an American history buff, this is a great place to explore. The New Brookland Historic District, also known as Old West Columbia, is home to 23 twentieth century commercial buildings as well as the mill village, comprised of 24 blocks of residential houses built between 1894 and 1916. And to go further back in time, check out Camp Sorghum, once a Confederate States Army POW camp during the Civil War. Food fed to the prisoners was made mostly from cornmeal and sorghum syrup, for which the camp was named.
For a more contemporary excursion, take some time to check out the scenic views along West Columbia’s Riverwalk, or take the family out for a day of activity on the walking, running or biking paths in the area.
Either way, when it comes to West Columbia airport car rentals from Budget, everyone who rents from us can feel confident knowing they’re driving dependable Columbia Metropolitan Airport rental cars at some of the best rental car rates in West Columbia. Let Budget make your trip to South Carolina a memorable one. And don’t forget to sign up for the Fastbreak program.
Additional Location Information
Select from a wide variety of vehicles at Budget Columbia Metropolitan Airport, check out the latest Columbia Metropolitan Airport Car Rental Deals, and be confident that you are getting the best rental rates in South Carolina !
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