Whole Foods Market Austin Flagship Store and car2go Partner to Offer Convenient Mobility to Shoppers

AUSTIN, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, car2go N.A. LLC and Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI) Lamar in Austin, Texas announced that four car2go dedicated parking spots are now available at the natural and organic food retailer's flagship store at 525 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78703. Whole Foods Market shoppers and Team Members who are car2go members will now have the convenience of parking and sharing car2go vehicles.

"Whole Foods Market is committed to environmental sustainability and making a difference in our community," said Rebecca Scofield, Austin community relations coordinator for Whole Foods Market. "We believe that this partnership with car2go will support our continued dedication to our core values."

After thirty years of business, Whole Foods Market maintains its unique core values that include satisfying and delighting shoppers, supporting Team Member happiness, and caring about environment and community. In 2009, Whole Foods Market stores raised more than $3.5 million through their community giving days, an initiative where five percent of sales proceeds go to community nonprofits. The grocer has also been the recipient of the EPA's Green Power awards for the last four years for its efforts in accelerating the development of renewable energy capacity. Before partnering with car2go, Whole Foods Market had already made efforts to support alternative transportation with the addition of an electric vehicle charging station in April 2010.

Since their North American launch in November 2009, car2go has registered more than 15,000 members and has been working with several organizations and businesses within the Austin community to lay the groundwork for innovative transportation solutions. As one of these businesses, Whole Foods Market will now be able to offer its shoppers who are also car2go members the convenience of having car2gos at the market's doorstep. Members can rent the vehicles spontaneously without having to make reservations in advance and have the flexibility to return the car to any available public parking spot within the operating area.

"Whole Foods Market maintains a strong commitment to a sustainable future and we believe this partnership will reinforce that commitment," said Nicholas Cole, President and CEO of car2go N.A. LLC. "car2go is honored to be associated with Whole Foods Market as they continue to provide environmentally sustainable alternatives for their shoppers and employees."

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 for rent distributed all over the city. The smart fortwo is the most fuel efficient non-hybrid vehicle in North America.

Unlike other carsharing programs, car2go is not station-based. A network of vehicles 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 and maintenance.

The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go has earned international acclaim: In May 2010 car2go was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its prestigious '2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award'. In September 2010 car2go was recognized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the '2010 Greater Austin Business Award' for its positive impact on traffic in the city. In November 2010 car2go received the 'Clean Tech Media Award' in the category of 'Mobility' in Berlin. Further information on car2go is available at www.car2go.com and www.media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFMI), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" by Health magazine. The company's motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company's more than 58,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2010, the company had sales of more than $9 billion and currently has more than 300 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

SOURCE car2go N.A. LLC