U Car Share Gets Overhauled; New Name: "UhaulCarShare"—Same Great Rates!

PHOENIX, Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul today announced that their car-sharing division, U Car Share, is getting back to basics and changing its name to "UhaulCarShare."  UhaulCarShare is also increasing the avenues by which members can make reservations, and the system now allows for faster vehicle access.

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"U-Haul has been in the truck-sharing business since 1945, so the UhaulCarShare component is a perfect fit to our model of excellent service and reliability," explained Cassandra Allen, program manager, UhaulCarShare.  "We look forward to the added visibility this will give us, and the reassurance it will give our members, knowing that they have the entire U-Haul network supporting them."

As part of the U-Haul Company's commitment to sustainable business practices, UhaulCarShare was started in 2008 to help reduce emissions and congestion on college campuses in cities like Portland, Maine, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Today the program services many college and university campuses nationwide. As the program grows, UhaulCarShare wants to remain true to its commitment to the environment and the customer. Because of their integration with U-Haul, UhaulCarShare will continue to operate efficiently, offer the lowest rates and minimize the use of materials. By working with local U-Haul centers, the U-Haul car-sharing program relieves members of the worries of vehicle maintenance and repairs.

"One thing will not change," added Allen. "We are dedicated to making every reservation the best experience possible, so we will continue to put reliability and convenience at the forefront of all we do."  UhaulCarShare soon will have an iPhone app and an Android app available for members to use.  UhaulCarShare urges members to stay tuned to their Twitter and Facebook pages for discounts and updates.

For more program information and vehicle locations, log on to uhaulcarshare.com or call 1-877-990-8227.

About UhaulCarShare

UhaulCarShare removes the burden of car maintenance, insurance, and even gas! UhaulCarShare members have access to cars 24/7 making car sharing convenient and reliable. Members pay only for what they use, in one low hourly rate. With a flexible rate structure, UhaulCarShare sets the bar in car sharing for the most cost-effective way to drive green. The flexible rate plan starts each reservation out at $4.95 per hour (plus $0.59 per mile) then automatically switches over to the flat hourly rate of $8-$12 that includes 180 miles free.  This automatically gives the UhaulCarShare member the best rate possible.  All the member has to do is reserve and drive.

Anyone 18 years or older with at least two years of driving experience may qualify to become a member.  UhaulCarShare is encouraging car-sharing solutions at Universities and colleges to ease congestion and emissions, while providing easy and worry-free transportation for students.

Car sharing meets the needs of any individual who needs a car occasionally, while being sensitive to the surrounding community and environment.  Car sharing reduces the demand for parking and promotes greater sustainability while enabling individuals to retain their mobility.

Research shows that car sharing is great for the environment. Every UhaulCarShare car can replace up to 20 personally owned vehicles. Car-sharing is a key factor in reducing our carbon footprint by reducing the amount of cars manufactured and reducing congestion on our roads. Car sharing is fast becoming a great environmental solution and alternative to car ownership. Members have access to a great program backed by years of U-Haul experience and customer service.

About U-Haul

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the best choice for the do-it-yourself mover, with a network of more than 16,300 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 104,000 trucks, 80,000 trailers and 36,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers more than 406,000 rooms and approximately 36 million square feet of storage space at nearly 1,100 owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. As one of the nation's largest retailers of propane, U-Haul supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard barbecues.

U-Haul was founded by a Navy veteran who grew up during the Great Depression. Tires and gas were still rationed or in short supply during the late 1940s when U-Haul began serving U.S. customers. Today, that background is central to the U-Haul Sustainability Program: "Serving the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle includes fuel efficient moving vans, neighborhood proximity, moving-box reuse, moving pads made from discarded material, and packing peanuts that are 100 percent biodegradable.  Learn more about these facts and others at www.uhaul.com/sustainability.

Joanne Fried
Ashleigh Wagner
U-Haul Public Relations
(602) 263-6194
[email protected]
uhaulcarshare.com

SOURCE U-Haul