Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

VANCOUVER (B.C.), Canada, Jun 16, 2011 – car2go, the world’s first free floating carsharing service, announced today that a fleet of 225 smart “car2go edition” vehicles will be ready for “on-demand” rentals beginning on June 18th in Vancouver.


On April 27th, car2go Canada Ltd CEO Nicholas Cole and Mayor Gregor Robertson announced Vancouver, British Columbia as the first Canadian city selected to launch the innovative carsharing service, where cars have no reservations time limits, and members are allowed to make one-way trips instead of returning cars to their pickup location. Since the announcement, approximately 2,000 Vancouverites have registered and received their membership cards. Members will be able to drive the vehicles starting Saturday June 18th.

Following the overwhelmingly positive response, car2go has extended the free registration period (which represents a $35 value) until July 3rd. Vancouver residents can register at www.car2govancouver.com , or in person at the car2go office at 45 Water Street in Gastown.

To further celebrate the launch, car2go is also extending an open invitation to special events held at four neighbourhood coffee houses in Vancouver on Saturday June 18th. Between 10am and 5pm, residents can register in person, receive their membership card on-site, take a car2go for a short drive and enjoy a free coffee at the following four local iconic coffee houses:

Waves Coffee, 2588 Main Street,
Kits Coffee Co, 2198 West 4th Avenue
Delany's Coffee House, 1105 Denman St
Bean Around the World in Yaletown, 1002 Mainland St.

As a sustainable transportation option, car2go is pleased to be playing a role in the City of Vancouver’s goal to become the “greenest city” in the world by 2020. Members can rent a car2go “on-demand” or reserve a vehicle up to 24 hours in advance. The car2go vehicles that are readily available to be driven can be viewed on the internet or with a smartphone app, and can be driven for as long as needed without committing to a return time. Just simply end the rental by leaving the vehicle at any “permit only” on-street parking spot in downtown or residential neighbourhoods within the defined business area, or in one of the specially marked car2go parking spaces.

Members pay for what they use by the minute with discounted rates for hourly and daily use and are only charged for the time they use the car2go. Rates include fuel, parking, mileage, insurance, maintenance and GPS navigation.

car2go now has a global network of more than 40,000 members and 1,000 smart vehicles. Based on its impressive success, car2go will further expand in other North American and European cities in 2011.

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