Avis teams up with Waymo on self-driving car program

Avis agrees to provide maintenance and cleaning services for Waymo cars

Avis is teaming up with Waymo on a self-driving car program.

The partnership aims to support Waymo’s fleet and its early rider program, which has a public trial in Phoenix.

Avis Budget Group Inc. said Monday that it will provide fleet support and maintenance services for Waymo’s program at its Avis and Budget car rental locations. Under the multiyear deal, Waymo’s cars will receive automotive services such as cleanings and oil changes from Avis and be allowed to park at its locations.

Waymo, owned by Google parent company Alphabet Inc., will continue to own and run its selfdriving cars and will continue with its existing partnerships.

Shares of Avis Budget jumped more than 9 percent in morning trading.

ERIC RISBERG — ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES The self-driving car project that Google started seven years ago has grown into a company called Waymo. The new identity announced Tuesday marks another step in an effort to revolutionize the way people get around.