Flexcar Announces Web-Based Reservations Online

SEATTLE--Nov. 2, 20035, 2003--Getting in to, out of and around town has never been easier for Flexcar members now that the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing provider has launched a Web-based reservation system. This culminates a year of significant technology upgrades, including Keycard access, on-board Global Positioning System (GPS) units and in-dash PIN code consoles all designed to make the service more convenient and easier to use for its members.

Flexcar's award-winning program provides members with access to a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, including hybrid sedans, light pickup trucks, and minivans located throughout select metropolitan areas. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance and maintenance. Members access the vehicles via a specially coded Keycard, and pay hourly or monthly for use.

Members can now log in to the reservation system via the Web at www.flexcar.com and easily view the availability of and reserve any vehicle they want to drive. In the two weeks since the launch, the volume of overall reservations has increased substantially, with Web reservations already surpassing phone reservations. Flexcar expects that within a few months, most reservations will come from the Web.

Among the key benefits of the Web reservation system are:

-- Multi-Vehicle View: Members can now see the availability of up to four vehicles at once, with the ability to select additional sets of four if needed, making it easier to find an available vehicle.

-- Smart Display: The most frequently reserved vehicles will automatically appear at the top of the list of vehicles available for reservation, making it quicker to reserve a "favorite" vehicle.

-- Save to Calendar: Once a vehicle has been reserved, members can save a copy of the reservation details to their electronic calendars, giving them a quick reference for the reservation.

-- Reservation Log: Members can view all of their past and future reservations from a single page, allowing them to easily calculate their usage for the month.

The company has already begun work on the next major version of the system, due in 2004, which will include the ability for members to manage their personal account information, additional reservation features and expanded support for different technology platforms.

The Web reservation system caps a year-long focus on technology improvements by Flexcar. The company partnered with Vetronix Corporation to introduce its first Keycard entry technology last November, which included the installation of GPS units for member security. Flexcar is the only car-sharing company in the country with such on-board technology. This technology upgrade allowed members to simply take a trip and return the vehicle without filling out any paperwork or remembering special codes, making it more convenient.

In August, the company introduced the first vehicles pre-wired to accept the Flexcar in-vehicle technology. Jointly developed with Honda, this "Phase III" unit has the PIN code device installed directly in the dashboard.

"We've amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge about our members in the past four years," said Lance Ayrault, Flexcar's president and CEO. "Rather than build cool technology for technology's sake, we built our systems with the member in mind. We believe the result will be more convenience, better service and a truly unique experience for our members. And this is just the beginning."

Following a successful European model, Flexcar 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. Used in conjunction with public transit, car/vanpools and walking/biking, car-sharing helps individuals meet their transportation needs in an economically and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership.

FLEXCAR

Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 18,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in six 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, 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 of name is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar or Flex Car or Flexicar.