car2go Mobility Program Reaches 10,000 Member Milestone

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- car2go N.A. LLC today announced that its innovative mobility program has reached 10,000 registered members in its first North American city, Austin, Texas. car2go reached this major milestone just over four months since launching the program to the public on May 21, 2010.

"car2go's convenience and ease of use has been received with incredible enthusiasm by Austinites and this growth has exceeded our initial expectations," said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go North America. "Reaching 10,000 members so rapidly in Austin is just the beginning of car2go's success in North America. In 2011, we will continue to expand to other North American cities where there is a demand for innovative and forward-thinking transportation solutions."

Since the start of the car2go operations, more than 80,000 rentals have been completed throughout the greater downtown Austin area with average usage between 30 and 60 minutes per rental. The customers range in age from college students to retirees, with about 50 percent between 18 and 35 years old.

Individual customers use car2go for a wide variety of different purposes: from trips to work and shopping to weekend excursions. Business customers include the City of Austin, LIVESTRONG, downtown real estate firm urbanspace, creative giant GSD&M and the State of Texas. The benefits of car2go, such as on-demand rentals and one-way trips, have proven to be significant factors contributing to the success of the program.

The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go has earned local and national recognition. After being honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its prestigious 2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award in May 2010, car2go was recognized in September by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with its "2010 Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on the traffic in the city.

About car2go

car2go is a groundbreaking mobility program redefining individual transportation in rapidly growing urban areas. Launched by Daimler, it provides a fleet of free-floating, low-emission, self-service smart fortwo cars distributed all over the city. The smart fortwo is the most fuel efficient non-hybrid vehicle in North America.

Unlike other car sharing programs, car2go is not station-based. A network of 200 car2gos is located throughout the greater downtown Austin area and can be accessed "on-demand" or reserved for up to 24 hours in advance. For "on-demand" access, members simply swipe their membership card against the vehicle's windshield. car2go allows its members to use the vehicle for as long as they like, without committing to a specific return time or location. They can finish the rental in any available public parking space within the car2go business area or at one of the specially marked car2go spaces. car2go charges customers only for the actual use of the vehicle, with rental periods as short as per-minute. Attractive "by-the-minute" rates include costs for fuel, insurance, parking, maintenance and mileage. Further information on car2go is available at www.car2go.com and www.media.daimler.com.

SOURCE car2go N.A. LLC