Flexcar Launches Carsharing Service in San Francisco

Hybrid Cars are Good for the Environment; With Gas and Mileage Included, Flexcar is Good for the Wallet

SAN FRANCISCO Oct. 11, 2005; Flexcar has expanded its carsharing service to San Francisco, becoming the first carsharing company to offer service throughout the state of California, along the West Coast and across the country. Seventy-five percent of its fleet in San Francisco will be environmentally friendly Honda Civic Hybrids.

Flexcar pioneered carsharing in the United States. Since 1998, more than 30,000 members in seven major metropolitan areas have enjoyed the freedom of having a car without the cost and hassles of ownership -- including never having to pay for gas, mileage, parking and insurance. Communities are realizing the benefits of reduced congestion, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities.

Flexcar members now have on-demand access to a fleet of low-emission vehicles stationed throughout the City. Members reserve the vehicles via the Internet or phone for $9 an hour -- a fee that includes gas, mileage, parking and insurance. The company is taking membership applications now and is offering incentives via its website at: http://www.flexcar.com/sanfrancisco/specials_launch.asp?rc=0.

Initially, vehicles will be clustered in the City's downtown Financial District and, over time, placed in numerous neighborhoods, including North Beach, Civic Center and Pacific Heights. Substantial program benefits and discounted pricing from $7.20 per hour are being offered to business members, including free overnight hours and incentives for multi-city use. Because Flexcar operates nationally, individual and business members can use vehicles from Seattle to San Diego and in 37 other cities in 6 states from coast to coast -- with more locations being added soon.

"With gas prices more than $3 a gallon, downtown parking at $25 a day and insurance rates off the charts, Flexcar's $9-an-hour rate is a real bargain," said Steve Case, the co-founder of AOL and the majority owner of Flexcar. "What's more, especially in congested areas, car sharing is a responsible choice -- and Flexcar's fleet of hybrids will help reduce pollution and fuel consumption," Case added.

Last month, Case's investment firm, Revolution Living LLC, was joined by Lee Iacocca, former Chairman/CEO of Chrysler, in buying a controlling interest in Flexcar. Their investment is fueling Flexcar's nationwide expansion, starting with San Francisco. Flexcar seeks to have 20,000 vehicles available to members nationwide within five years.

"Car availability is critical to successful carsharing. Our goal is to have a car available within a two-block walk of where our members are, starting with the downtown Financial District in San Francisco," said Lance Ayrault, Flexcar's president and CEO. "There's zero doubt that the Bay Area represents the biggest market opportunity for carsharing in the U.S., and we're excited to give residents and businesses another choice."

Among the many benefits of Flexcar's program are:

Members Don't Pay for Gas, Mileage, Insurance, Parking: Flexcar's hourly or discounted monthly usage charge includes gas, unlimited miles, insurance, and a prime parking place. Members don't pay a day-long rental rate when they only need a car for a few hours -- they pay only for what they use. Flexcar's insurance coverage is the best available, and members get it for free. Business Partners Receive Discounts for Rentals: Business members can encourage employees to take public transportation into the City, while making cars available for meetings throughout the day. In addition, businesses get free overnight hours, making cars available to employees who stay late and then face limited availability from public transportation services. State/Nationwide Network: Not only can Bay Area Flexcar members access Flexcar elsewhere in California, but also across the country, thanks to Flexcar's nationwide network of vehicles. A "Green" Choice: Carsharing is proven to reduce congestion and auto emissions, making it an environmentally-sound choice. Flexcar goes the next step, by offering a fleet that consists largely of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles -- and then by planting trees to offset the minimal carbon emissions of that fleet through its partnership with American Forests. Convenient and Hassle-Free: Unlike car rental companies with a handful of locations at often inconvenient, airport sites, Flexcar's vehicles are parked near members' offices and homes. And there's no waiting in line at counters to use a vehicle -- members reserve online, go straight to the car, use their personalized Flexcard to unlock the vehicle, and then just drive away. Since launching the U.S. carsharing industry in 1998, Flexcar has won numerous awards and commendations for reducing congestion, air pollution and energy use, and increasing use of public transit while contributing to sustainable communities. Research from Flexcar as well as independent entities has clearly shown that carsharing programs take cars off the road, reduce annual miles traveled and increase the use of public transit. These studies indicate that roughly 60 percent of members have either sold or decided not to purchase a vehicle because of the program, thus removing thousands of vehicles and thousands of tons of emissions from circulation.

More information on Flexcar's San Francisco operation is available at www.flexcar.com or by calling 415-282-3539.

Flexcar founded the U.S. carsharing industry and now operates carsharing programs for more than 30,000 members in seven metropolitan areas, covering 37 cities in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork or paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, and specialty vehicles, including pickups, AWD, minivans and convertibles. AOL Founder Steve Case and auto industry legend Lee Iacocca are investors/owners of Flexcar.