Autohellas Group

Our History

The Group has half a century of dynamic presence in the automotive industry and currently operates in 9 countries, owning the largest network with over 160 sales points.

Autohellas has been involved in Car Rentals in Greece since 1974. Expanding its activities through subsidiaries in the Balkans, Cyprus, and Ukraine during the period of 2010-2018, as well as in Portugal since October 2022, Autohellas Group is now one of the largest franchisees of Hertz International.

Furthermore, the Group is engaged in the import and distribution of cars, obtaining exclusive rights for SEAT cars in Greece since 2015. In 2017, the Group expanded its portfolio by acquiring the exclusive import and distribution rights for Hyundai and KIA cars in Greece. Simultaneously, the Group is involved in retail car sales in Greece through the Velmar network since 2016.

Key milestones in the history of Autohellas include:

Timeline

1966-1969

1966
Theodoros Vassilakis & Emmanouela Vassilakis sign a contract to represent Hertz in Crete, with an initial fleet of 6 Volkswagen Beetles. TH. VASSILAKIS S.A. is founded.


1974

1970-1979

1972
The Company expands its presence to Rhodes. Its fleet now numbers 300 cars.

1974
Theodoros Vassilakis & Emmanouela Vassilakis buy out Hertz Hellas, a subsidiary of Hertz International, rename it Autohellas SA and start to represent Hertz in Greece.

1989

1980-1989

1983
Autohellas is awarded the European Highest Overall Standards Cup by Hertz Europe.

1986
Autohellas is awarded for the second time the European Highest Overall Standards Cup by Hertz Europe.

1989
Autohellas is the first company to introduce the practice of Fleet Management (operating leasing and fleet management) in Greece to best meet the needs of businesses.

1990-1999

1998
The franchise agreement with Hertz Corporation is renewed for another 26 years, until 31/12/2023.

1999
Autohellas is listed on the Main Market of the Athens Stock Exchange.

2000-2009

2001
For the fifth consecutive year, Hertz wins the Business Traveller award for Best Car Rental Company Worldwide.

2003
Autohellas acquires Bemal Auto Ltd, the local Hertz franchisee in Bulgaria, which also imports and distributes SΕΑΤ and Audi cars.

2005
Autohellas becomes the Hertz franchisee in Cyprus.

2007
Autohellas establishes Autotechnica Fleet Services SRL in Romania. The company uses the franchise licence for the Hertz brand that was granted to Autohellas for the Operating Leasing segment.

2009
Autohellas expands its activities, introducing the Hertz Equipment Rental service in Greece, thus offering the most reliable solutions for equipment rental.

2014

2010-2018

2010
Autohellas establishes Autotechnica Serbia D.O.O. The company uses the franchise licence for the Hertz brand that was granted to Autohellas for the Operating Leasing and Rent a Car segments in Serbia.

2011
Autohellas establishes Autotechnica Montenegro D.O.O. The company uses the franchise licence for the Hertz brand that was granted to Autohellas for the Operating Leasing and Rent a Car segments in Montenegro.

2012
Autotechnica Fleet Services SRL uses the franchise licence for the Hertz brand for the Rent a Car segment in Romania.

2014
Autohellas acquires the exclusive right to use all Hertz International brand names (Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Firefly).

2015
Autohellas establishes Autotechnica Fleet Services LLC in Ukraine. The company uses the franchise licence for the Hertz brand that was granted to Autohellas for the Operating Leasing and Rent a Car segments in Ukraine.

2016
Autohellas begins operations in Croatia, after the acquisition of ANTERRA DOO, the former national licensee. The company is active in the car rental sector. In 2016, Autohellas completed the acquisition of Technocar and Velmar, expanding its activities to importing and selling cars. It is now licensed to distribute and repair FORD, OPEL, SEAT, SAAB, HONDA, ALFA ROMEΟ, FIAT, ABARTH, MITSUBISHI and VOLVO cars and is the exclusive importer of SEAT cars in Greece.

2017
In 2017, Autohellas became the licensed distributor and repairer of BMW, BMW MOTO and MINI, Hyundai and Kia cars and exclusive importer of HYUNDAI and Kia vehicles in Greece.

2023

2020-2021

2021
Introduction to the micro mobility sector with the establishment of the KINEO+ company, and creation of the first Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development report.

2022
Autohellas Hertz acquires "HR Automoveis", the Hertz franchisee in Portugal.

2023
Autohellas, in partnership with Samelet, becomes the exclusive importer of FIAT, ALFA ROMEO and JEEP motor vehicles in Greece.

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