car2go Receives EPA Clean Air Excellence Award

AUSTIN, Texas, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- car2go today was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its prestigious 2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award in the category of Transportation Efficiency Innovations. EPA delegate Thomas Diggs visited car2go in its headquarters in Austin, Texas and conveyed the EPA's congratulations. car2go will receive the environmental honor officially at the EPA's Tenth Annual Clean Air Excellence Awards in Washington, D.C. where the EPA annually recognizes outstanding efforts in the progress of achieving cleaner air.

"Innovation and commitment are the keys to environmental progress, and our Clean Air Excellence Award winners are tremendous examples," said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.  "As we look to the future, these winners will help lead the way toward cleaner air and a healthier environment."

"We at car2go are honored to be recognized by the EPA with this great award," said Nicholas Cole, President and CEO of car2go N.A., LLC. "car2go provides a transportation solution that is not only affordable and reliable, but makes significant progress toward addressing the challenges of urban growth and mobility by providing an environmentally friendly alternative to private vehicle ownership. It complements public transportation by closing the gaps commonly associated with public transit commuting. We look forward to continuing to work toward improving the quality of life in Austin and other rapidly growing cities with our solution to urban mobility."

The Clean Air Excellence Awards program was established in 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC), a senior-level policy committee that advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on implementation of the Clean Air Act. The awards program recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have undertaken the risks of innovation, served as pioneers in their fields, and improved the environment in the process.

Further information on car2go is available at www.car2go.com and www.media.daimler.com.

About car2go N.A. LLC

car2go is a groundbreaking mobility program redefining individual transportation in rapidly growing urban areas. Launched by Daimler in Austin, Texas, in November 2009, 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 the United States. car2go vehicles 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. Unlike traditional carsharing programs, 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. Attractive "by-the-minute" rates include costs for fuel, insurance, parking and maintenance. May 21, 2010 marks the date that all residents of Austin will have access to car2go for their personal mobility needs.

About Daimler

Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its divisions Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses and Daimler Financial Services, the Daimler Group is one of the biggest producers of premium cars and the world's biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles with a global reach. Daimler Financial Services provides its customers with a full range of automotive financial services including financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management.

The company's founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history with the invention of the automobile in the year 1886. As an automotive pioneer, Daimler continues to shape the future of mobility. The Group applies innovative and green technologies to produce safe and superior vehicles which fascinate and delight its customers. With the development of alternative drive systems, Daimler is the only vehicle producer investing in hybrid drive, electric motors and fuel-cell systems, with the goal of achieving emission-free mobility in the long term. This is just one example of how Daimler willingly accepts the challenge of meeting its responsibility towards society and the environment.

Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly all the countries of the world and has production facilities on five continents. Its current brand portfolio includes, in addition to the world's most valuable automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz, the brands smart, Maybach, Freightliner, Western Star, Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses. The company is listed on the stock exchanges of Frankfurt, New York and Stuttgart (stock exchange symbol DAI). In 2009, the Group sold 1.6 million vehicles and employed a workforce of more than 256,000 people; revenue totaled euro 78.9 billion and EBIT amounted minus euro 1.5 billion.

SOURCE Daimler Corporate Communications