Smog or Gridlock? Car-Sharing Company Providing Solution to Both Problems

LOS ANGELES--Aug. 7, 2003--When Angelenos were asked to choose between smog and gridlock, they got stuck in neutral.

That's the unofficial result of a poll conducted over the last several weeks by Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest provider of car-sharing programs. By a vote of 1,443 to 1,188 (55% to 45%), smog edged out gridlock as the worse problem facing Angelenos.

"The good news is that Flexcar can play a role in solving both problems," said Lance Ayrault, president and CEO of Flexcar. "Our program addresses smog by providing members with access to environmentally-friendly Honda Civic Hybrids and we help overcome gridlock by giving members access to vehicles at the office without the hassle of driving to the office."

Flexcar's award-winning program allows members to reserve vehicles parked across a metropolitan region for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Paying by the hour, members can enjoy the freedom of car ownership without the hassles and costs. Flexcar has 24 hybrid vehicles spread throughout downtown Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica, USC and Long Beach.

Flexcar's entire Los Angeles fleet was recently converted to hybrid vehicles, which are powered by a combination of gas and electricity, dramatically reducing emissions and increasing gas mileage, thus helping with smog reduction. The 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid is the first-ever hybrid vehicle to earn certification as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle from California's Air Resources Board (CARB), adding to a long list of Honda firsts in environmental leadership. Likewise, Flexcar's award-winning program already has been shown to encourage smarter vehicle use, increase ridership of public transit, and has resulted in members either selling an existing car or avoiding buying one, thus helping reduce traffic congestion.

"The greatest challenge people have is their potential need for a car during the day to run to a last-minute meeting or the doctor's office or an emergency," added Ayrault. "The reality is that many people need a car during the day. That's where Flexcar comes in."

Flexcar introduced car-sharing to the Los Angeles area in November 2002. The company launched its Seattle operations in 2000, and has since won numerous awards and commendations for its program that reduces congestion, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities. More information on Flexcar's Los Angeles operations is available at http://www.flexcar.com/losangeles/ or 1-877-FLEXCAR.

Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 15,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's modern fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro Transit, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.

Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar, Flex Car or Flexicar.