Avis to Rent Prius Hybrids

Avis Budget Group Inc., the third- largest U.S. rental-car company, said it will offer Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid cars as early as next week.

Avis will have about 1,000 of the vehicles, which use both gasoline and an electric motor for power, John Barrows, a company spokesman, said in an interview. The cars will rent for $69.95 a day, depending on location and time of year, he added.

Rental-car companies are offering more fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles in response to record gas prices and increased concern about global warming among consumers. Avis said the hybrids will be available in Portland, Oregon; Seattle; Washington; and California.

"Our customers tell us they are really interested in owning hybrids, but they want to try them out first," Barrows said. "The bulk of the demand will come from people who are curious to try them."

Closely held Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the U.S.'s largest rental-car company, announced last week a plan to offer vehicles which run on alternative fuels and said it had more than 3,000 gas-electric hybrid cars for rent.

Shares of Parsippany, New Jersey-based Avis rose 19 cents to $29.98 at 4:17 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have gained 41 percent in the past year.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 6/14/2007 2:08:34 PM

-2 Boost

lol...ive rented a prius before from Enterprise so this is kinda old news. However, the next time i wanted to went them, they told me they dont rent out Priuses any more because of a recall 0.o