Avis Begins Assessment of Rental Procedures

Avis Rent A Car Inc. said it has begun an evaluation of its rental procedures in the wake of allegations that a North Carolina-based franchisee refused to rent cars to blacks. Three African American women have filed a lawsuit against Avis and the owner of five Avis outlets in North Carolina and South Carolina, claiming they were denied service. Three former franchise managers say franchise owner John Dalton ordered employees to find reasons to refuse black customers. “I am outraged and profoundly troubled by the allegations,” Avis Chairman and Chief Executive Joseph Vittoria said in a statement. “If the alleged charges in the North Carolina operation prove to be true, we will not tolerate the continuation of this franchise,” Vittoria said. Dalton denied the charges earlier this week. The plaintiffs’ attorneys claim that executives for Garden City, N.Y.-based Avis failed to discipline Dalton despite dozens of complaints against him.