Cars Delbos

What Cars Delbos does

Cars Delbos is a family-owned French passenger transport operator headquartered in Figeac (Lot), founded in 1951 as Figeac Tourisme by Henri Delbos and now part of the Groupe Delbos holding created in 2014. The company operates a multi-service mobility platform spanning scheduled urban and interurban bus services (Le bus de Figeac, LiO regional lines 889-891 and Lot lines 850-887, the TIL intermodal line launched in September 2024), school transport under the Lot department framework, demand-responsive transport across the Grand Figeac area since January 2021, and on-demand coach rental with driver for groups of 8-63 seats. Its technology stack is operational rather than digital-product in nature: an eco-driving program staffed by trained instructors, a fleet of 120 Euro 6-compliant coaches plus 24 minibuses, and the AFNOR Référentiel 117 quality certification held since 1998 via the Réunir network.

The group's commercial perimeter extends beyond contracted public transport through three wholly-owned or franchised revenue streams. The AVIS Delbos Location franchise—acquired in 2009 at Figeac, Cahors, and Aurillac and now operating 10 agencies across 6 departments with a 650-vehicle fleet—delivers car, minibus, utility, and electric vehicle rentals at airports and train stations. FITOUR Voyages, established in 1988, runs a 17-agency travel network spanning 8 departments and organizes packaged tours (e.g., Portugal 8-day at €1,199, Normandy 6-day at €989), day excursions (Pas de la Case from €35-40), and school and linguistic stays; the group also operates Lou Fijagol, a tourist train launched in 1995, and A'van-ture, a Ford Custom Nugget Westfalia campervan rental line launched under its own sub-brand.

Revenue mechanics combine recurring contracted income from public-sector delegations (Région Occitanie, Grand Figeac, Ville de Figeac) with transaction-fee streams from coach rental, AVIS rental commissions, travel agency sales, and tourist train tickets. Go-to-market is dual: direct-to-consumer via web/contact-form booking for individual and group travelers, and B2B/B2G sales-led for public service tenders, school transport contracts, and corporate accounts serving clients including SNCF, Carrefour, Crédit Agricole, Figeac Aéro, SDIS 19 (Pompiers Corrèze), and Générations Mouvement. Customer pricing spans free (Le bus de Figeac, financed by Ville de Figeac) and unit-priced services (Transport à la demande €2/trip, LiO tickets €2-€40, van rental from €85/day, tour packages €489-€1,199). The group employed 144 staff across its subsidiaries as disclosed, with no external institutional capital or public listing.

Name

Cars Delbos

Legal name

SARL Cars Delbos

Website

https://cars-delbos.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cars Delbos is a family-owned French passenger transport operator based in Figeac, providing urban bus, interurban (LiO), school, and on-demand transport across southwestern France under contract with Région Occitanie, Grand Figeac, and Ville de Figeac, complemented by an AVIS-branded vehicle rental franchise, FITOUR travel agency network, and tourist train operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Transportation Services

NAICS

Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (4852), Passenger Car Rental (532111)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Coach & Bus Charter Fleet Rental (With/Without Driver) (TLABADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tour Bus Leasing/Rental (Sightseeing) (TLABADAK), Pre-Booked Private Hire / Chauffeur (PHV/Limo) (THAIAGAD), Commercial Vehicle Rental with Driver (Crew/Delivery) (THADAJAL)

Keywords

• Passenger transport services
• Coach rental with driver
• School transport contracts
• Vehicle rental franchise
• Group travel agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Figeac

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public transport contracts: Contracts with regional and local authorities (Région Occitanie, Grand Figeac, Ville de Figeac) for scheduled transport services including urban bus (Le bus de Figeac - free service), interurban lines (LiO network lines 889-891 and Lot lines 850-887), and school transport.
2. Coach rental with driver: Rental of coaches (8-63 seats) with professional drivers for groups, schools, excursions, and tourism. Includes grand tourism, tourism, and mixed-category vehicles. Billed per trip or day.
3. Vehicle rental (AVIS franchise): AVIS Delbos Location franchise operating 10 agencies offering cars, minibuses, and utility vehicles for short to long-term rental. Recent addition of electric vehicles (Kia Niro EV). Also provides card grey service at Figeac and Cahors locations.
4. Travel agency services (FITOUR): FITOUR travel agency network (17 agencies, 8 departments) organizing group travel, school trips, linguistic stays, and day excursions. Packages include accommodation, transport, guided tours, and meals.
5. Tourist train (Lou Fijagol): Panoramic tourist train operating in Figeac, accommodating up to 60 passengers. Offers individual (July-August, Saturdays in June) and group tours (45-90 minutes).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cars Delbos provides scheduled passenger transport services (urban bus, interurban/regional lines, school transport, on-demand transport) primarily under contracts with French regional and municipal authorities in the Lot, Corrèze, Dordogne, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne departments. The group also sells coach rental with driver, vehicle rental under the AVIS franchise (cars, minibuses, utility vehicles, camper vans), packaged tours via the FITOUR travel agency network (17 agencies), and the Lou Fijagol tourist train in Figeac. Operations span ~144 staff and ~120 coaches plus 24 minibuses, supplemented by access to ~650 rental vehicles.

Product overview

Cars Delbos is a family-owned transportation company with 70+ years of history, part of Groupe Delbos holding. The offering is a multi-service mobility platform centered on passenger transport: core coach/bus services (Cars Delbos Transport) providing urban, intercity, school, and on-demand transport across 5 departments; complemented by vehicle rental (AVIS Delbos Location, 10 agencies, 6 departments) offering cars, minibuses, and utility vehicles; and tourism services including FITOUR travel agency network (17 agencies), coach tourism packages, and Lou Fijagol tourist train. Additional offerings include van rentals (Ford Nugget Westfalia camper vans), school trip organization, and license plate administrative services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FITOUR Voyages: Travel agency network with 17 agencies across southwestern France offering travel packages, excursions, and tourism services.
• Lou Fijagol
• A'van-ture

Products and services

• Scheduled passenger transport (Cars Delbos Transport) Core passenger transport service providing daily coach transportation across Lot, Corrèze, Dordogne, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne, including urban bus lines, interurban LiO regional lines, school transport and on-demand transport for general public, commuters, schoolchildren and local residents.
• Coach rental with driver Rental of coaches from 8 to 63 seats with a professional driver in three categories (Mixte, Tourisme and Grand Tourisme), available for groups, schools, excursions, tourism, corporate travel and events across France and Europe with quote-based pricing.
• Le bus de Figeac urban bus service Free urban bus service operating 12 regular lines and 93 stops across Figeac, covering 700+ km daily and financed by Ville de Figeac and local businesses.
• Transport à la demande (on-demand transport) Door-to-door on-demand transport service for Grand Figeac with pickup at home and drop-off at designated stops, priced at €2 per single trip or €4 round trip, bookable by phone before 5pm the day before.
• AVIS Delbos Location vehicle rental Franchised AVIS vehicle rental service operating 10 agencies across 6 departments, offering city cars, compacts, SUVs, minibuses (9 seats, licence B), utility vehicles from 3m³ to 20m³ with tailgate, and electric vehicles such as Kia Niro EV, with airport and train station pickup available.
• A'van-ture van rental (Ford Custom Nugget Westfalia) Camper-van rental under the A'van-ture brand featuring the Ford Custom Nugget Westfalia conversion with sleeping for 4, kitchen (fridge, sink, 2 gas burners, 40 L water), toilet and outdoor shower, rented from €85/day with 200 km/day included and €0.35/km overage, pickup/return at Figeac.
• FITOUR Voyages travel agency Travel agency network of 17 locations across 8 departments in southwestern France offering domestic, European and international trips, group travel, school trips, linguistic stays and packaged tours including transport, accommodation, guided tours and meals.
• Lou Fijagol tourist train Panoramic tourist narrow-gauge train service in Figeac carrying up to 60 passengers on 45-90 minute audio-guided tours of the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire, operating daily in July-August and Saturdays in June, with individual and group pricing.
• School and linguistic stays Organised school trips and linguistic immersion stays to destinations such as London, Barcelona, Paris, Provence, Rome, Portugal and Normandy with transport, accommodation and guided educational programmes.
• LiO regional network Regional regular lines operated under the Région Occitanie LiO transport network (lines 889-891 and Lot lines 850-887), with single tickets, 10-trip carnets, monthly and annual subscriptions, and youth discounts.
• Service Carte Grise (license plate service) Authorized administrative service for vehicle registration changes, duplicate certificates, address changes and related procedures, available at Figeac and Cahors agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free urban bus service covering 12 lines and 93 stops, operating 700+ km daily in Figeac
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SAYBUSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014SAYBUS is the national and international transport deployment arm of the Réunir network. Allows member companies like Cars Delbos to offer large-scale transport services beyond regional boundaries through network collaboration.
• AVIS (franchise)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009AVIS Delbos Location is a franchise partner operating under the AVIS brand. Cars Delbos acquired car and utility vehicle rental locations franchised under AVIS at Figeac, Cahors, and Aurillac in 2009, expanding to 10 agencies across 6 departments. The franchise provides brand, systems, and operational framework for vehicle rental services.
• RéunircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Réunir is the first grouping of independent passenger transport SMEs in France. Cars Delbos joined in 2007. Réunir provides AFNOR certification (Réferentiel 117), national/international transport deployment via SAYBUS, quality standards, and collective representation. Multi-site certification with annual AFNOR audits.
• Voyages TriangleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel agency partner within the FITOUR network, part of the broader Cars Delbos Group operations for travel services.
• Ville de FigeaccoreOthersMunicipal authority contracting with Cars Delbos for urban bus services since 2003. The free urban bus service (12 lines, 93 stops) is financed by the city and local businesses, with Cars Delbos operating the service.
• Région OccitaniecoreOthersRegional authority contracting with Cars Delbos for LiO regional bus lines (lines 889, 890, 891 since 2014, expanded to all Lot lines in 2021) and school transport services. Contract renewed in 2020.
• Grand FigeaccoreOthersintermunicipal authority contracting for transport à la demande (on-demand transport) service launched January 2021, serving the Grand Figeac territory.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Autocars Maisonneuve: Multi-generational independent French coach and bus operator running regular lines, school transport, and coach charter services — directly comparable in family-owned operating model and rural/county-level passenger transport focus.
• Lacroix Group: Independent French family-owned group operating scheduled public transport, school transport, and coach rental across multiple French regions — directly comparable in size, customer mix (regional authorities), and integrated coach/agency structure to Cars Delbos/Groupe Delbos.
• TransAlpes: French regional passenger transport operator providing scheduled interurban, school, and tourism coach services; similar scale and operating profile to Cars Delbos with comparable regional-authority customer base.
• Bertil Tours: Independent French regional coach operator offering coach rental with driver, school transport, and tourism services — closely comparable to Cars Delbos on charter/driver-supplied coach offerings and rural French geographies.

Emerging players

• Havas Voyages: Largest French-owned travel agency network with hundreds of branches across France — competes with FITOUR Voyages (17 agencies) for packaged tour, school trip, and group travel bookings in shared regional markets.

Broad incumbents

• Transdev: One of the largest public transport operators in France and globally; competes with Cars Delbos for regional LiO-style tenders and operates school and interurban bus services across France at far greater scale.
• AVIS Budget Group: Parent brand of the AVIS franchise under which AVIS Delbos Location operates; comparable on vehicle rental product offering, brand systems, and reservation infrastructure even though Delbos is the franchisee rather than a direct competitor.
• Keolis: Major French public transport incumbent (subsidiary of SNCF) operating urban bus, interurban, school, and on-demand transport services across France — a competitor for the same regional authority contracts that anchor Cars Delbos's recurring revenue.
• Sixt: European vehicle rental incumbent with growing French agency footprint in regional cities and airports — competes with AVIS Delbos Location for corporate and leisure rental demand in cities like Limoges, Périgueux, and Brive.
• Europcar: Major European vehicle rental brand operating through corporate and franchise agencies across France — competes with AVIS Delbos Location in the same southwestern French airports and train stations (Limoges, Bergerac, Rodez, Brive).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/avanture_van
• Facebookfacebook.com/carsdelbos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cars-delbos

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cars Delbos