'Road Rage' for a Good Cause: Zipcar's 'Car Bash' Lets Residents Destroy Two Old Gas Guzzlers to Benefit Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 3 -- Tired of looking for parking, paying three dollars per gallon for gas, expensive monthly car payments, and stratospheric insurance premiums? Zipcar, the nation's largest provider of self-service cars by the hour or day, recognizes San Francisco's pain. On November 4, Zipcar, San Francisco's new car sharing service, will host the city's first-ever "Car Bash." Local residents and businesses will have the chance to destroy two old gas-guzzlers and take out their aggression on the costs and hassles of owning a car in the city. For a one-dollar donation, Zipcar will hand you a regular hammer to take a swing at the cars. For five dollars (suggested donation), you can swing away with a giant sledgehammer. All proceeds will benefit The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for the fight against this deadly disease. As an added incentive, the first 2,000 participants will also receive a coupon for a free XM satellite radio (one per person).

The "Car bash" event will be held in Justin Herman Plaza, at the end of Market Street across from the Ferry Building, from 11:30 AM-4:00 PM. All eligible attendees will be able to sign up for Zipcar's car sharing service at a discounted rate and new members will also receive $25 worth of free driving to get them on the road to cost savings. Representatives of the Avon Walk, and other city officials, will be on site to celebrate Zipcar's launch into the city, and the fact that San Francisco residents and businesses now have access to cars that people want to drive, including MINI Coopers, Volvo's, Hybrids and even pickup trucks that are available by the hour or day.

"San Francisco is consistently one of the most expensive cities in which to live and work, and with gas prices and the cost of ownership going up, owning a car continues to be a significant burden for local residents and businesses," said Rob Guthrie, regional vice president of Zipcar. "This event represents the ongoing frustration of San Franciscans, but also introduces residents and businesses to car sharing as a cost effective and reliable alternative to ownership and rental."

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the key beneficiary of this event, is also a Zipcar for Business (Z2B) customer and uses Zipcars to conduct business in all of the markets where they have an event and where Zipcar operates.

"As a non-profit organization, we're always looking for more cost efficient solutions," said Shirley Chen, Operations Coordinator for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer San Francisco. "We are regular, dedicated Zipcar users and appreciate their efforts to help build awareness around breast cancer."

With Zipcar's technology, accessing and using a Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from an ATM. In minutes or up to a year in advance, members can reserve Zipcars online or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Zipcar members have automated, self-service access to Zipcars using a "Zipcard" to simply unlock the door and drive away. Rates in San Francisco start at $8.50 per hour and $60 per day, with gas, parking, insurance and XM Satellite Radio service included. Special business rates are also available for small to large-sized companies looking for a more convenient and cost-effective way of providing transportation for their employees. To join, residents simply need to have a valid drivers license, be 21+ and meet safe driving standards.

About Zipcar

Zipcar (http://www.zipcar.com/) was founded in 1999. Since 2000, when Zipcars first hit the road, more than 50,000 consumers and business drivers ages 21+ have joined. Zipcar currently operates 900 vehicles in nine states and 28 cities, including Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC. In July 2005, Zipcar secured $10 million in funding, led by Benchmark Capital, to begin aggressive expansion to become the country's first national car sharing service. As part of this expansion, Zipcar recently launched West Coast operations, with plans to bring its service to additional major metropolitan areas in the near future.

About Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a weekend fundraising event benefiting the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade (http://www.avonfoundation.org/ http://www.avoncrusade.com/). Since 1992, the Crusade has raised and returned over $400 million to the breast cancer cause worldwide. Money raised is used to support breast cancer awareness and education programs, early detection programs and research for a cure-with a focus on local medically underserved populations. For information or to register or donate, call or click 1-800-510-WALK or http://www.avonwalk.org/ .