Car Sharing Club Introduced to Neighborhoods in London, New York City and Paris
PARK RIDGE, NJ, Dec 16, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Hertz, the world's largest general use car rental company, has
launched Connect by Hertz car sharing club, the only global car share
club offered by an international car rental company, with
neighborhood parking in London, New York City and Paris. Dedicated
to providing the flexibility of car sharing with a superior customer
experience, further cities, as well as universities, for Connect by
Hertz are planned for 2009 and beyond, and members will benefit from
reciprocal membership at any Connect by Hertz city in the world in
early 2009.
Connect by Hertz (www.connectbyhertz.com) offers consumers an
economical, convenient and socially conscious alternative to car
ownership. Upon enrolling, the self-service, pay-as-you-go system
provides members with 24/7 access to a centrally located fleet of
environmentally friendly vehicles strategically distributed over a
neighborhood or city, transferring the fixed costs of car ownership
to per-trip costs. Membership in Connect by Hertz includes insurance,
fuel, roadside assistance, maintenance and cleaning. Connect by Hertz
members enjoy a paperless program where they can reserve, drive and
return vehicles all on their own, via the internet or phone.
"Hertz's vision is to offer total mobility solutions and car sharing
is a logical step for the Company. In line with Hertz's long term
growth plans, Connect by Hertz supports Hertz's diversified business
model by providing best-in-class transportation solutions across the
spectrum of customer needs," commented Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of The Hertz Corporation. "In addition to
being environmentally friendly, Connect by Hertz cars can save
members thousands of dollars a year in vehicle ownership costs and,
by leveraging Hertz's established infrastructure, we're the first
major car rental company to be able to offer members the first global
car sharing program. With aggressive plans for expansion, Connect by
Hertz has all the elements to become a successful and profitable part
of Hertz."
Connect by Hertz cars are chosen based on a set of aggressive
standards established in the categories of manufacturing/maintenance
quality, environmental sustainability, safety and a blend of fun and
functionality. Environmentally friendly, each car sharing vehicle
eliminates up to 14 traditional passenger cars from the road*. The
showcase car of the Connect by Hertz fleet in the US is the Toyota
Prius. Known for its high fuel-efficiency and low greenhouse gas
emissions, the reduced environmental impact of the Prius versus
ordinary vehicles is most dramatic in stop-and-go city driving where
the hybrid often operates on its electric motor. Additionally, all
Connect by Hertz cars in the US are EPA SmartWay certified,
indicating high quality environmental performance. The fuel
emissions of the London and Paris cars are significantly less than
the voluntary target of a maximum 140 g/km CO2 output set by the EU
for the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.
"We're living in an increasingly mobile society with today's
consumers demonstrating an intense willingness to look at alternate
modes of transportation, whether it be for economical or
environmental reasons," continued Frissora. "An easy-to-use,
paperless program that harnesses the latest in technology, Connect by
Hertz unites people to places while meeting the ever changing
transportation needs of society."
Connect by Hertz adapts the latest in end-to-end telematics to
further provide superior customer service. Members enroll online
where they are also able to retrieve their invoice and access their
driving history. Upon making a reservation, each member receives an
email confirmation as well as a text message indicating the reserved
car's license plate and location. To unlock and engage the vehicle,
members simply need to swipe their membership card, the Connect card,
over the car's radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader.
In car, a hands-free audio kit connects members to a Member Care
Center representative should they have questions, need assistance or
need to extend their rental. The in-car technology also enables
Connect by Hertz to 'communicate' with the vehicle enabling
representatives to unlock, engage and locate vehicles. The
technologically savvy cars are also equipped with iPod connectivity
and, in the US, NeverLost® in-car navigation systems and EZ Pass
transponders.
Upon enrolling in Connect by Hertz, members receive a smart chip
enabled Connect card, which gives them keyless entry to any car in the
fleet that the member reserves. Connect by Hertz members pay an
hourly charge, must be 18 years or older, 19 in France, must be
licensed with a good driving record for at least one year prior to
joining. For more information, visit www.connectbyhertz.com or call
Member Care Services at 877-654-4400.
The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
(NYSE: HTZ), is the world's largest general use car rental brand,
operating from approximately 8,100 locations in 144 countries
worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the
U.S. and at 69 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and
licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe,
Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the Company
has licensee locations in cities and airports in Africa, Asia, and
the Middle East. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz #1
Club Gold®, NeverLost® customized, onboard navigation systems,
SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the
company's Prestige, Fun and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from
the competition. Hertz also operates one of the world's largest
equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation,
offering a diverse line of equipment, including tools and supplies,
as well as new and used equipment for sale, to customers ranging from
major industrial companies to local contractors and consumers through
approximately 350 branches in the United States, Canada, France,
Spain and China.
Notes to editors:
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Locations New York London Paris
120 West 21st St. Marble Arch Saint Eustache
135 East 31st St. Porchester Terrace Hotel de Ville
180 West 20th St. Shepherd's Bush Notre Dame
222 Lexington Ave. St John's Wood Maubert St
250 West 34th St. Victoria Germain
29 West 28th St. Westminster Patriarches
305 West 33rd St. Montparnasse
776 Ave. of the Will launch in
Americas Kilburn and Maida
800 Ave. of the Vale in January
Americas 2009
9 West 31st St
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Fleet New York London Paris
Toyota Prius Ford Fiesta Mini Cooper
Ford Escape Ford Focus Opel Corsa
Mazda 3 MINI Cooper D
Mini Cooper
Toyota Camry
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Pricing New York (Connect London (Connect & Paris (Connect & Go
Plan) Annual Go Plan) Annual Plan) Annual
Membership Fee: Membership Fee: Membership Fee:
$50 GBP 50 120EUR
Prius: $10 per Ford Fiesta: Opel Corsa: 4EUR
hour or $70 for 24 GBP 3.95 per hour per hour or 32EUR
hours plus $0.45 or GBP 31.60 for 24 for 24 hours plus
per mile (first hours plus GBP 0.25 0.35EUR per
180 miles free). per mile (first 30 kilometer. Now
Now available. miles free). available.
Available from
Camry: $12 per January 2009. Opel Meriva: 5EUR
hour or $84 for 24 per hour or 40EUR
hours plus $0.45 Ford Focus: GBP for 24 hours plus
per mile (first 5.95 per hour or 0.35EUR per
180 miles free). GBP 47.60 for 24 kilometer.
Now available. hours plus GBP 0.25 Available from
per mile (first 30 January 2009.
MINI Cooper: $14 miles free).
per hour or $98 Available from MINI Cooper: 6EUR
for 24 hours plus January 2009. per hour or 48EUR
$0.45 per mile for 24 hours plus
(first 180 miles MINI Cooper: GBP 0.35EUR per
free). 6.95 per hour or kilometer. Now
Now available. GBP 55.60 for 24 available.
hours plus GBP
0.25 per mile
(first 30 miles
free). Now
available.
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
* Transportation Research Board's Transit Cooperative Research
Program (TCRP)
SOURCE: Hertz
