Hertz On Demand Brings Leading-Edge Car Sharing To Sydney, Australia

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Nov 14, 2012, 12:01 ET

PARK RIDGE, N.J. and MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) has launched its car sharing club Hertz On Demand in Sydney, making Australia the seventh country in the international program. Members have 24/7 access to a fleet of self-service vehicles placed throughout Sydney, which are bookable online at http://www.hertzondemand.com/sydney. There is no annual membership fee, and rates are lowest in the market, starting from just AU$6.00 per hour, including insurance, fuel, maintenance and cleaning.

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Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "By utilizing the resources we have as the leading global car rental company – including best-in-class technology – we are bringing the future of car sharing to life for our customers in Sydney. Hertz On Demand is less expensive than other car sharing services while providing unequalled customer service as well as free membership and no annual renewal fees. A progressive international city, Sydney is a natural choice for Hertz On Demand."

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she was pleased to see Hertz joining the car share market in Sydney - a clear demonstration that this is a growing market. "Car share has more than tripled in Sydney over the past three years. Each car share parking space in the city replaces the need for 12 other cars. Providing more transport options for residents helps them save money and reduces congestion on our roads. Car share is a smart way of having access to a car when you need it, without the cost of buying, insuring, registering, maintaining and running a car."

Currently Hertz On Demand has 30 spaces in locations around Sydney, which will increase to 100 by 2013. Members can book a Hyundai hatchback from AU$6 an hour or a Nissan X-Trail from just AU$7 per hour (all inclusive rates). Sydney members can also use the Hertz On Demand car share services in Europe and the USA at low, all-inclusive rates.

As well as its car sharing services for urban dwellers, Hertz On Demand can place cars on corporate sites to operate as pooled cars for employees. The corporate program – which is enjoyed by companies such as PwC, London Heathrow, and Marriott Hotels – allows companies to significantly drive down overall fleet costs by improving vehicle utilization and management along with reducing administration and overheads.

Chris Rusden, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Hertz Australia added: "We are very excited to bring Hertz On Demand to Sydney, a significant step in bringing all of Hertz' global products and services to the Australian market. Hertz On Demand operates with state-of-the-art technology and is for people who want the use and convenience of a car without the associated ownership costs. It is also ideal solution to replace or complement company fleets in order to drive down overall fleet costs."

Greg Giraud, General Manager, Hertz On Demand Australia, added: "We are thrilled to provide residents of Sydney with a great car share alternative, and the business community with a complete end-to-end fleet replacement solution unique in Australia. Members will also be able to use their Australian membership in London, Paris, New York and other Hertz On Demand locations throughout the world at the click of a mouse."

Vehicles are installed with an RFID reader for SmartCard identification, giving each member keyless-entry to the cars. If during their trip members need help, have questions, or would like to extend the length of their rental, they can contact the Hertz in-house Member Care Center based in Australia via the hands free in-car communication technology. The proprietary end to end car sharing technology has been created by market leading company Eileo, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hertz, allowing Hertz to tailor its technology according to its member's needs.

Across Australia, more and more drivers are choosing car sharing as the smart, savvy way to get around. In Sydney car sharing has more than tripled over the past three years, resulting in eased traffic congestion, freed up parking and savings to residents of AU$21 million a year. The recent SGS Economics and Planning study, commissioned by the City of Sydney, shows the economic benefits of car share for both citizens and businesses outweigh the costs by a ratio of 19 to one. The full report can be obtained from: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/aboutsydney/parkingandtransport/CarShare.asp

About Hertz On Demand

Hertz On Demand has more than 230,000 members and 1600 vehicles located at over 800 locations worldwide, including cities, corporate offices and universities. Hertz On Demand offers vehicles equipped with keyless entry, and benefits covered by the competitive hourly rate including fuel, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, 24-hour in car Member Care Center communication, and, in the US, 180 free miles per 24 hours. For more information, visit www.HertzOnDemand.com.

About Hertz

Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 150 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 119 major airports in Europe. In addition, the Company has sales and marketing centers in 60 countries which promote Hertz business both within and outside such country. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Choice, Hertz #1 Club Gold®, NeverLost® customized, onboard navigation systems, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company's Adrenaline Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. In 2008, the Company entered the global car sharing market with its service now referred to as Hertz On Demand which rents cars by the hour and/or by the day, at various locations in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Hertz also operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of rental equipment, from small tools and supplies to earthmoving equipment, as well as new and used equipment for sale, to customers ranging from major industrial companies to local contractors and consumers, from approximately 315 branches in the United States, Canada, China, France, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia, as well as through its international licensees. Hertz also owns Donlen Corporation, based in Northbrook, Illinois, which is a leader in providing fleet leasing and management services.