Hertz and Marriott Announce Game-Changing EV Car-Sharing Partnership; San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront and Downtown San Francisco First Launch Locations

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Aug 23, 2011, 03:40 ET

PARK RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hertz (NYSE: HTZ) and Marriott introduce electric-vehicle (EV) car sharing at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront and the first EV car rental program in downtown San Francisco. This new, cutting-edge hotel amenity enables guests and local area residents to drive a wide range of new EV models made available on an hourly or daily basis through Hertz On Demand car sharing. EVs are available at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront 24/7 with Hertz self-service technology enabling guests and area residents the luxury of signing up for Hertz On Demand car sharing on the spot and using an EV immediately. In addition, Hertz is the first car rental company to introduce EVs into its downtown San Francisco fleet which can be rented from Hertz Rent A Car's Mason Street Location.

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"Hertz is excited to partner with Marriott to bring EVs to car rental customers in the city of San Francisco," commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz chairman and CEO. "Hertz has a 30-year relationship with Marriott and we can be found in more than 100 Marriott hotels nationwide. There is a strong appetite for EVs in San Francisco and residents have proven to be early adopters of this new mobility solution. Introducing EVs into San Francisco ushers in a new, exciting chapter in our relationship as we bring the cars of tomorrow to consumers today."

According to Clif Clark, general manager of the San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel, "The hotel recently installed two EV charging stations that can fully charge an electric vehicle in three to four hours. Additionally, we are the first Marriott hotel to enter into a car-sharing agreement with Hertz, which enables us to have dedicated electric vehicles available for guests, associates or general public use."

Hertz is the first car-rental company to deploy EVs and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric) in both the U.S. (available to the public in New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco) and the U.K. (available in London.) As the world's largest airport general-use car-rental brand, Hertz is introducing multiple groups of consumers -- urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations -- to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As a result, the company is forming partnerships with automakers, charging-station providers (e.g., GE), municipalities, non-governmental organizations, corporations and other stakeholders like the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront to make EVs easily accessible to consumers.

To reward consumers for embracing the economic savings and positive environmental impact of electric vehicles, the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront will offer free valet parking and a free car charge for an electric vehicle when dining in Flights 101 lounge or Hangar Steak restaurant, or when staying overnight. Additionally, the hotel and Hertz's Mason Street location will have a series of electric vehicles available for hourly rental ranging in price from $6 to $8. Customers will be able to join Hertz On Demand car sharing for free at the hotel and Mason Street location -- or via any Internet browser -- then reserve the dedicated EVs (Nissan Leaf, EV Smart Car, and later Chevy Volt) at their convenience on a first-come, first-served basis.

The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront is located in Burlingame, Calif., just minutes from the SFO International Airport, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The waterfront hotel features 685 guestrooms and 24 suites. Guests can enjoy a meal before a long flight at the hotel's Hangar Steak restaurant or sip a cocktail in the Flights 101 Lounge overlooking the water. For additional information, visit www.sanfranciscoairportmarriott.com or call 650-692-9100.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott International's signature and most widely distributed brand, with more than 500 hotels and resorts in 54 countries. Marriott continues to inspire performance and a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com. Follow Marriott Hotels & Resorts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MarriottHotels.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

About Hertz

Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand operating from more than 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 83 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also operates the Advantage car rental brand at 26 airports in the U.S. In addition, Hertz operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of rental equipment, including tools and supplies, and new and used equipment for sale from approximately 325 branches in the United States, Canada, China, France, Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia.