carg2go, the largest network of shared vehicles in the state of Ohio available for use

COLUMBUS, OH--Oct. 3, 2013: car2go North America LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler North America, will launch its unique point-to-point carsharing model in the capital city of Ohio on October 26, 2013, making it the 12th car2go market in North America. A network of 250 car2go edition smart fortwo vehicles will be available for shared use in the metropolitan Columbus area, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Columbus will be the showcase of carsharing in the state, featuring car2go's singular form of one-way transportation.

car2go will complement COTA and CoGo services by providing residents with the ability to pair a car2go trip with Columbus' successful bus system and bike sharing service. car2go's revolutionary model, combining on-street parking with one-way trips, offers flexibility and convenience to Columbus' existing modes of transportation. Registration for membership opens today at Columbus.car2go.com.

"car2go is an exciting addition to our transportation portfolio," said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "When paired with taxis, COTA buses, and CoGo Bike Share, our residents will be able to travel between local destinations without the need to own a personal vehicle."

"Columbus is a vibrant city, home to forward-thinking companies which have long driven the city's innovative core," said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go North America. "car2go's free-floating, on-demand carsharing network will complement existing transportation options to connect residents, students and visitors to the various neighborhoods and events that reinforce the city's diverse character."

The car2go Home Area, where members can pick up or drop off a car2go, covers approximately 30 square miles to incorporate the Columbus city center. The Columbus Home Area stretches from the south-side residential neighborhoods of Merion Village and German Village up through Downtown, The Short North and Clintonville, east towards the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and west to Franklinton. Those who register to become a car2go member will receive a membership card that will allow them to gain access to and drive any of the 250 available car2go vehicles in Columbus, whenever they need it, for as long as they need it, without having to commit to a return time or designated location.

car2go is one of the fastest growing carsharing programs globally with over 450,000 registered members worldwide and a global market leader for point-to-point carsharing. Registered car2go members in the United States have the ability to use the car2go program in all nine U.S. car2go locations, including Columbus, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., Miami, Austin, Denver, San Diego, Portland and Seattle.

A Different Way to Carshare car2go provides unmatched flexibility and convenience with a free-floating network of cars that are available on-demand for point-to-point trips.

Members will be able to locate a car via a smartphone app, the car2go vehicle finder on the car2go website, by calling the customer call center, or simply by finding an available car on the street, anywhere within the 30-square-mile Columbus car2go Home Area.

When members are finished using the vehicle, they can park at any city non-restricted metered or un-metered spaces within the time limits of two hours or greater, or on any residential neighborhood street within the car2go Home Area. Parking, fuel, insurance and maintenance are included at no additional cost.

Members can use car2go by the minute, and they pay you only for the time they use the vehicle, with discounted rates for hourly and daily use.

Become a car2go Member For a limited time, all new members who use the promotion code CBUS will receive 30 free minutes of car2go Drive Time and the one-time $35 membership fee will be waived. To celebrate its members and highlight how the service works, car2go Columbus plans to host an event on October 26.