Hertz Launches Car Sharing Service

3 January 2009

Hertz, the world’s largest general use car rental company, in December launched the “Connect by Hertz” car sharing club, the only global car share club offered by an international car rental company, with neighborhood parking in London, New York City and Paris.

Further cities, as well as universities, for Connect by Hertz are planned for 2009 and beyond, and members will benefit from reciprocal membership at any Connect by Hertz city in the world in early 2009.

The showcase car of the Connect by Hertz fleet in the US is the Toyota Prius. Other US vehicles include the Toyota Camry, the Ford Escape, the MINI Cooper, and the Mazda 3. London offers the Ford Focus and Fiesta, and the MINI Cooper D. Paris offers the MINI Cooper and the Opel Corsa.

Members enroll online where they are also able to retrieve their invoice and access their driving history. Upon making a reservation, each member receives an email confirmation as well as a text message indicating the reserved car’s license plate and location. To unlock and engage the vehicle, members need to swipe their Connect card over the car’s radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader.

In car, a hands-free audio kit connects members to a Member Care Center representative should they have questions, need assistance or need to extend their rental. The in-car technology also enables Connect by Hertz to communicate with the vehicle enabling representatives to unlock, engage and locate vehicles. The cars are also equipped with iPod connectivity and, in the US, NeverLost in-car navigation systems and EZ Pass transponders.

Connect by Hertz members can pay an hourly charge or a daily rate, must be 18 years or older, 19 in France, must be licensed with a good driving record for at least one year prior to joining.