Avis Budget Group, Inc. and Continental announced that they have expanded their partnership. Under the enhanced collaboration, Avis Budget Group will boost its fleet of connected cars in the United States and Europe by equipping 50,000 vehicles with Continental’s enhanced Key as a Service (KaaS) technology. Continental’s enhanced KaaS solution allows for two-way data communication between a vehicle and Avis Budget Group’s cloud-based system and its Avis mobile app, which effectively “connects” the car. Connected vehicles empower Avis customers to manage their entire rental experience through the Avis mobile app. In addition, Continental’s aftermarket solution also eliminates the need for physical car keys and enables Avis customers to use the Avis mobile app to unlock the car and start the engine. Until now, the KaaS solution only allowed for keyless entry and ignition and was only available in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area as part of Avis Budget Group’s “Mobility Lab” which serves as a test bed for fully connected vehicles and operations.