AVIS BUDGET GROUP, INC. (CAR) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
OVERVIEW
OUR COMPANY
We operate three of the most globally recognized brands in mobility solutions, Avis, Budget and Zipcar together with several other brands well recognized in their respective markets. We are a leading vehicle rental operator in North America, Europe, Australasia and certain other regions we serve, with an average rental fleet of approximately 695,000 vehicles in 2024. We also license the use of our trademarks to licensees in the areas in which we do not operate directly. We and our licensees operate our brands in approximately 180 countries throughout the world.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023 is presented below. A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2022 can be found under Part II, Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 16, 2024, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.avisbudgetgroup.com.
In 2024, we saw sustained volume, decreased revenue per day, and increased fleet and interest costs. This resulted in revenues of approximately $11.8 billion, a net loss of $1.8 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $628 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we changed our fleet strategy to accelerate certain fleet rotations in order to decrease the age of our fleet for competitive reasons, and accordingly, we shortened the useful life associated with such vehicles. Our net loss reflects $2.5 billion in long-lived asset impairment and other related charges, approximately $2.3 billion of which was recorded to reduce the carrying value of our rental fleet to its fair value in connection with this change. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Impairment of Long-lived Assets to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
We continue to be susceptible to a number of industry-specific and global macroeconomic factors that may cause our actual results of operations to differ from our historical results of operations or current expectations. The factors and trends that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: interest rates, inflationary impact on items such as commodity prices and wages, cost of new vehicles, used car values, increases in the number of personal injury claims and cost per incident, and an economic downturn that may impact travel demand, all of which may be exacerbated by ongoing military conflicts, including in Eastern Europe. Additionally, uncertainty remains with respect to tariffs and tax regulations, and this uncertainty has had and may continue to have impacts on global stock markets and foreign exchange rates. We continue to monitor the potential favorable or unfavorable impacts of these and other factors on our business, operations, financial condition, and future results of operations. Our strategy continues to primarily focus on customer experience and costs to strengthen our Company, maximize profitability, and deliver stakeholder value.
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We measure performance principally using the following key metrics: (i) rental days, which represent the total number of days (or portion thereof) a vehicle was rented, (ii) revenue per day, which represents revenues divided by rental days, (iii) vehicle utilization, which represents rental days divided by available rental days, with available rental days being defined as average rental fleet times the number of days in the period, and (iv) per-unit fleet costs, which represent vehicle depreciation, lease charges and gain or loss on vehicle sales, divided by average rental fleet. Our rental days, revenue per day and vehicle utilization metrics are all calculated based on the actual rental of the vehicle during a 24-hour period. We believe that this methodology provides management with the most relevant metrics in order to effectively manage the performance of the business. Our calculation may not be comparable to the calculation of similarly titled metrics by other companies. We present currency exchange rate effects to provide a method of assessing how our business performed excluding the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. Currency exchange rate effects are calculated by translating the current-period results at the prior-period average exchange rate plus any related gains and losses on currency hedges.
We assess performance and allocate resources based upon the separate financial information of our operating segments. We aggregate certain of our operating segments into our reportable segments. In identifying our reportable segments, we also consider the management structure of the organization, the nature of services provided by our operating segments, the geographical areas and economic characteristics in which the segments operate, and other relevant factors. Management evaluates the operating results of each of our reportable segments based upon revenues and Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as income (loss) from continuing operations before non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization; long-lived asset impairment and other related charges; restructuring and other related charges; early extinguishment of debt costs; non-vehicle related interest; transaction-related costs, net; legal matters, net, which includes amounts recorded in excess of $5 million, related primarily to unprecedented self-insurance reserves for allocated loss adjustment expense, class action lawsuits and personal injury matters; non-operational charges related to shareholder activist activity, which includes third-party advisory, legal and other professional fees; COVID-19 charges, net; cloud computing costs; other (income) expense, net; severe weather-related damages in excess of $5 million, net of insurance proceeds; and income taxes.
We have revised our definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude severe weather-related damages in excess of $5 million, net of insurance proceeds. We did not revise prior years' Adjusted EBITDA amounts because there were no other charges similar in nature to these. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful as a supplemental measure in evaluating the performance of our operating businesses and in comparing our results from period to period. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it allows them to assess our results of operations and financial condition on the same basis that management uses internally. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other income statement data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
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Year Ended December 31, 2024 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2023
Our consolidated results of operations comprised the following:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 11,789 | $ | 12,008 | $ | (219) | (2 | %) | ||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||
| Operating | 6,014 | 5,675 | 339 | 6 | % | |||||||||
| Vehicle depreciation and lease charges, net | 2,976 | 1,739 | 1,237 | 71 | % | |||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,352 | 1,408 | (56) | (4 | %) | |||||||||
| Vehicle interest, net | 941 | 736 | 205 | 28 | % | |||||||||
| Non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization | 237 | 216 | 21 | 10 | % | |||||||||
| Interest expense related to corporate debt, net: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 358 | 296 | 62 | 21 | % | |||||||||
| Early extinguishment of debt | 19 | 5 | 14 | n/m | ||||||||||
| Long-lived asset impairment and other related charges | 2,470 | — | 2,470 | n/m | ||||||||||
| Restructuring and other related charges | 37 | 11 | 26 | n/m | ||||||||||
| Transaction-related costs, net | 3 | 5 | (2) | (40 | %) | |||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 9 | 3 | 6 | n/m | ||||||||||
| Total expenses | $ | 14,416 | $ | 10,094 | $ | 4,322 | 43 | % | ||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (2,627) | 1,914 | (4,541) | n/m | ||||||||||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | (810) | 279 | (1,089) | n/m | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (1,817) | $ | 1,635 | $ | (3,452) | n/m | |||||||
| Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 4 | 3 | 1 | n/m | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Avis Budget Group, Inc. | $ | (1,821) | $ | 1,632 | $ | (3,453) | n/m |
__________
n/m Not meaningful.
Revenues decreased $219 million or 2% for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to a 3% decrease in revenue per day, excluding exchange rate effects and a $9 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements, partially offset by a 1% increase in volume. Total expenses increased 43% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to long-lived asset impairment and other related charges, higher per-unit fleet costs and higher interest costs. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Impairment of Long Lived Assets to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were a benefit of 30.8% and a provision of 14.6%, respectively. As a result of these items, our net income decreased by $3.5 billion compared to the similar period in 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we reported diluted earnings (loss) per share of $(51.23) and $42.08, respectively.
Operating expenses increased to 51.0% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 47.3% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in volume. Vehicle depreciation and lease charges increased to 25.2% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 14.5% during the similar period in 2023, primarily driven by higher per-unit fleet costs; adjusted depreciation on our rental fleet following a change in our fleet strategy, whereby we have accelerated certain fleet rotations and shortened the useful life associated with such vehicles; and a decrease in the gain on sale of vehicles. Selling, general and administrative costs were 11.5% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 11.7% during the similar period in 2023. Vehicle interest costs increased to 8.0% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 6.1% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to rising interest rates.
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Following is a more detailed discussion of the results of each of our reportable segments, corporate and other, and reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA:
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | Revenues | Adjusted EBITDA | |||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 9,111 | $ | 551 | $ | 9,347 | $ | 2,196 | ||||||
| International | 2,678 | 161 | 2,661 | 400 | ||||||||||
| Corporate and other (a) | — | (84) | — | (106) | ||||||||||
| Total company | $ | 11,789 | $ | 628 | $ | 12,008 | $ | 2,490 | ||||||
| Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (1,817) | $ | 1,635 | ||||||||||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | (810) | 279 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (2,627) | $ | 1,914 | ||||||||||
| Non-vehicle related depreciation and amortization | 237 | 216 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense related to corporate debt, net: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 358 | 296 | ||||||||||||
| Early extinguishment of debt | 19 | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Long-lived asset impairment and other related charges (b) | 2,470 | — | ||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other related charges | 37 | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Transaction-related costs, net | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net (c) | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||
| Legal matters, net (d) | 64 | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Cloud computing costs (e) | 45 | 35 | ||||||||||||
| Severe weather-related damages, net (e) | 13 | — | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 628 | $ | 2,490 |
__________
(a)Includes unallocated corporate expenses which are not attributable to a particular segment.
(b)Includes an impairment charge of approximately $2.3 billion related to the acceleration of the rotation of our fleet and a charge of $180 million related to the write-down of the carrying value of certain vehicles held for sale within our Americas reportable segment. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)Primarily consists of gains or losses related to our equity method investment in a former subsidiary, offset by fleet related and certain administrative services provided to the same former subsidiary.
(d)Includes $4 million reported within selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 and $60 million and $5 million reported within operating expenses in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The $60 million recorded within operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes $46 million relating to our self-insurance reserves for allocated loss adjustment expense.
(e)Reported within operating expenses.
Americas
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ | 9,111 | $ | 9,347 | (3 | %) | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 551 | 2,196 | n/m |
Revenues decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to a 3% decrease in revenue per day, excluding exchange rate effects and a $8 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements, partially offset by a 1% increase in volume.
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Operating expenses increased to 51.2% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 47.4% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in volume. Vehicle depreciation and lease charges increased to 25.3% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 13.0% during the similar period in 2023, primarily driven by higher per-unit fleet costs; adjusted depreciation on our rental fleet following a change in our fleet strategy, whereby we have accelerated certain fleet rotations and shortened the useful life associated with such vehicles; and a decrease in the gain on sale of vehicles. Selling, general and administrative costs were 9.5% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 9.6% during the similar period in 2023. Vehicle interest costs increased to 8.6% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 6.6% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to rising interest rates.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to higher per-unit fleet costs, interest costs, and a $2 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements.
International
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ | 2,678 | $ | 2,661 | 1 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 161 | 400 | n/m |
Revenues increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to a 4% increase in volume, partially offset by a 3% decrease in revenue per day, excluding exchange rate effects and a $1 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements.
Operating expenses increased to 48.3% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 45.6% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in volume. Vehicle depreciation and lease charges increased to 25.2% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 19.7% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to increased per-unit fleet costs, increased depreciation rates, and a decrease in the gain on sale of vehicles. Selling, general and administrative costs were 15.3% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 15.4% during the similar period in 2023. Vehicle interest costs increased to 5.7% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 4.4% during the similar period in 2023, primarily due to rising interest rates.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to higher per-unit fleet and interest costs, and a $13 million negative impact from currency exchange rate movements.
Corporate and Other
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EBITDA | (84) | (106) | n/m |
Adjusted EBITDA increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the similar period in 2023, primarily due to decreased selling, general and administrative expenses, which are not attributable to a particular segment.
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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.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
| As of December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||
| Total assets exclusive of assets under vehicle programs | $ | 9,668 | $ | 9,590 | $ | 78 | ||||
| Total liabilities exclusive of liabilities under vehicle programs | 11,047 | 10,095 | 952 | |||||||
| Assets under vehicle programs | 19,373 | 22,979 | (3,606) | |||||||
| Liabilities under vehicle programs | 20,311 | 22,817 | (2,506) | |||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | (2,317) | (343) | (1,974) |
The increase in assets exclusive of assets under vehicle programs compared to 2023 is principally related to the increase in operating lease right-of-use assets. See Note 3 – Leases to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
The increase in liabilities exclusive of liabilities under vehicle programs compared to 2023 is principally related to the increase in operating lease liabilities and corporate indebtedness from the issuance of senior notes. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” Note 3 – Leases and Note 13 – Long-term Corporate Debt and Borrowing Arrangements to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
The decreases in assets and liabilities under vehicle programs are principally related to the decrease in the size and value of our vehicle rental fleet.
The decrease in stockholders’ equity compared to 2023 is principally related to our comprehensive loss.
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.
In February 2024, we issued €600 million of 7.000% euro-denominated Senior Notes due February 2029, at par, with interest payable semi-annually. In April 2024, we used net proceeds from the offering to redeem all of our outstanding 4.750% euro-denominated Senior Notes due January 2026 plus accrued interest, with the remainder being used for general corporate purposes.
In May 2024, we issued an additional €200 million 7.250% euro-denominated Senior Notes due July 2030, at 100.25% of their face value, with interest payable semi-annually. Net proceeds from the offering were used for general corporate purposes.
In September 2024, we issued $700 million of 8.250% Senior Notes due January 2030, at par, with interest payable semi-annually. In October 2024, we used net proceeds from the offering to repay the outstanding borrowings under our floating rate term loan due 2029, with the remainder being used to repay maturing vehicle-backed debt and for general corporate purposes.
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In February 2025, we borrowed $500 million under a floating rate term loan due December 2025, which is part of our senior revolving credit facilities.
During 2024, our Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) subsidiary issued approximately $2.8 billion of asset-backed notes with expected final payment dates ranging from February 2026 to December 2029, and a weighted average interest rate of 6.04%. Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) has also amended and extended its asset-backed variable-funding financing facilities, most recently in December 2024. The proceeds from these borrowings were used to fund the repayment of maturing vehicle-backed debt and the acquisition of rental cars in the United States.
In January 2025, our Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC subsidiary issued an additional $358 million of asset-backed notes to investors with expected final payment dates ranging from August 2027 to February 2029 and a weighted average interest rate of 8.01%. These notes were issued under previously outstanding series of debt. The proceeds from these borrowings were used to fund the repayment of maturing vehicle-backed debt and the acquisition of rental cars in the United States.
In February 2024, we amended our European rental fleet securitization program to increase its capacity from €1.7 billion to €1.9 billion, to add £200 million to our capacity within the program, and to extend the maturity of the program from 2024 to 2026. The program is used to finance fleet purchases for certain of our European operations.
Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to approximately $8.1 billion of our common stock under a plan originally approved in 2013 and subsequently expanded, most recently in February 2023 (the “Stock Repurchase Program”). Our stock repurchases may occur through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The amount and timing of specific repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, restricted payment capacity under our debt instruments and other factors. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The Stock Repurchase Program has no set expiration or termination date. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we repurchased approximately 0.6 million shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $45 million (excluding excise taxes due under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022) under the Stock Repurchase Program. As of December 31, 2024, approximately $757 million of authorization remained available to repurchase common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program.
Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2024 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 3,518 | $ | 3,828 | $ | (310) | ||||
| Investing activities | (2,753) | (7,346) | 4,593 | |||||||
| Financing activities | (781) | 3,506 | (4,287) | |||||||
| Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, program and restricted cash | (31) | 14 | (45) | |||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents, program and restricted cash | (47) | 2 | (49) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, program and restricted cash, beginning of period | 644 | 642 | 2 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, program and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 597 | $ | 644 | $ | (47) |
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities during 2024 compared with 2023 is primarily due to the decrease in our net income.
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The decrease in cash used in investing activities during 2024 compared with 2023 is primarily due to the decrease in our net investment in vehicles.
The increase in cash used in financing activities during 2024 compared with 2023 is primarily due to the increase in our net payments under vehicle programs, partially offset by the decrease in our common stock repurchases and the increase in our net corporate borrowings.
We anticipate that our non-vehicle property and equipment additions will be approximately $225 million in 2025.
Debt and Financing Arrangements
At December 31, 2024, we had approximately $22.9 billion of indebtedness (including corporate indebtedness of approximately $5.4 billion and debt under vehicle programs of approximately $17.5 billion). For information regarding our debt and borrowing arrangements, see Note 1 – Basis of Presentation, Note 13 – Long-term Corporate Debt and Borrowing Arrangements, and Note 14 – Debt Under Vehicle Programs and Borrowing Arrangements to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Our primary liquidity needs include the procurement of rental vehicles to be used in our operations, servicing of corporate and vehicle-related debt and the payment of operating expenses. The present intention of management is to reinvest the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries indefinitely into our foreign operations. Our primary sources of funding are operating revenue, cash received upon the sale of vehicles, borrowings under our vehicle-backed borrowing arrangements and our senior revolving credit facility, and other financing activities.
Our liquidity has in the past been, and could in the future be, negatively affected by any financial market disruptions, a worsening of the United States and worldwide economies or by increases in interest rates, which may result in unfavorable conditions in the mobility industry, in the asset-backed financing market and in the credit markets generally. We believe these factors have affected and could further affect the debt ratings assigned to us by credit rating agencies and the cost of our borrowings. Additionally, a worsening or prolonged downturn in the worldwide economy or a disruption in the credit markets could further 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, including due to a decrease in the fair value of our fleet, under, our financings, (iii) the adverse impact of vehicle manufacturers being unable or unwilling to honor their obligations to repurchase or guarantee the depreciation on the related program vehicles and (iv) disruption in our ability to obtain financing due to negative credit events specific to us or affecting the overall debt market (see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for further discussion).
As of December 31, 2024, we had $534 million of available cash and cash equivalents and access to $503 million of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility, providing us with access to approximately $1.0 billion of total liquidity. Including our uncommitted facilities, we had total liquidity of approximately $1.1 billion.
Our liquidity position could also be negatively impacted if we are unable to remain in compliance with the consolidated first lien leverage ratio requirement and other covenants associated with our senior credit facilities and other borrowings. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants governing our indebtedness. For additional information regarding our liquidity risks, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
For contractual obligations for material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations as part of a liquidity and capital resources discussion, see Note 3 – Leases, Note 13 – Long-term Corporate Debt and Borrowing Arrangements, Note 14 – Debt Under Vehicle Programs and Borrowing Arrangements, and Note 15 – Commitments and Contingencies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Accounting Policies
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. However, in presenting our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), 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 relate 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 subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results.
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 assumptions, including the fair market trading price of our common stock and management’s projections of future cash flows, which include forecast of future revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. When appropriate, comparative market multiples and other factors are used to corroborate the discounted cash flow results. 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 that an impairment may have occurred.
Our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated among our reporting units. During 2024, we recorded $28 million in long-lived asset impairment and other related charges for impairment of one of our unamortized indefinite-lived intangible assets. During 2024, there was no impairment of goodwill. During 2023, there was no impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 7 – Intangible Assets to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
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 manufacturers. 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 risk vehicles acquired outside of manufacturer repurchase and guaranteed depreciation programs, we depreciate based on the vehicles’ estimated residual market values at their expected dates of disposition. The estimation of residual values requires us to make assumptions regarding the age and mileage of the vehicle at the time of disposal, as well as expected used vehicle market conditions. We regularly evaluate estimated residual values and adjusts depreciation rates as appropriate. Differences between actual residual values and those estimated result in a gain or loss on disposal and are recorded as part of vehicle depreciation and lease charges, net, at the time of sale.
During 2024, we recorded $2.5 billion in long-lived asset impairment and other related charges related to vehicles, including an approximately $2.3 billion impairment charge related to the acceleration of rotation of our fleet and shortened useful life associated with such vehicles. During 2023, there was no long-lived asset impairment and other related charges. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 8 – Vehicle Rental Activities to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our vehicles. For a discussion of risk factors and assumptions relative to our vehicle valuations, refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, included under Part 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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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.
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 9 – Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding income taxes.
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 for which we are ultimately liable and changes in the cost per incident.
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding public liability, property damage and other insurance liabilities.
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of our adoption of new accounting pronouncements and the impact thereof on our business, see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recently issued accounting pronouncements and the impact thereof on our business, see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our Consolidated Financial Statements.