Hertz to rent electric vehicles in European market! Partners with Renault!

SOURCE: The Hertz Corporation

 

Mar, 2011 

Hertz and Renault Partner to Bring Electric Vehicles to European Rental Markets

Hertz One of First Operators to Offer Renault Twizy for Rental Across Europe, in Addition to Renting ZOE, Fluence and Kangoo Z.E. Models

PARK RIDGE, NJ--(Marketwire - March 2, 2011) - The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) has signed a Letter of Intent to add Renault's new and innovative range of electric vehicles (EV) to the fleets of Hertz and car sharing club Connect by Hertz across Europe. Hertz will be one of the first rental operators to offer Renault's Twizy for hire, and will also rent the ZOE, Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. models.

Signed at the Geneva Motor Show, Hertz's electric vehicle initiative with Renault further demonstrates its commitment to providing customers with zero-emission (in use) mobility solutions. Hertz plans to add 500 units of the Renault range to its fleet over the next two years across Europe. The partnership will form part of the European development of Hertz's Global Electric Vehicle Program, launched in December 2010. The Hertz program is designed to bring a variety of zero emission (ZE) electric vehicles to the general public.

Mark Frissora, Chairman and CEO of Hertz Corporation, comments: "Hertz is committed to global implementation of our Electric Vehicle initiative and our planned partnership with Renault will be a vital component of our European roll-out. Renault has developed a full range of electric vehicles demonstrating that design, style and flexibility are compatible with zero-emissions. We look forward to providing our Hertz customers and Connect by Hertz members with the opportunity to drive these vehicles from the beginning of 2012."

Developed with the customer in mind, the range of Renault EVs caters to a wide range of people, from city dwellers to families. Fluence Z.E. is a family car, demonstrating that size, comfort and convenience go hand-in-hand with eco-consciousness, while the Kangoo Z.E. is the perfect electric van for fleets and business users.

Twizy is a small, nimble and practical car, ideal for city driving. It combines scooter and motor vehicle technology with a sleek, tandem design. ZOE, a 100% electric car with the roominess of a regular B-segment vehicle, is built for busy urban environments but also at ease out on the road.

As the world's largest general-use airport car-rental brand, Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers -- urban drivers, university students, travellers and corporations -- to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of this strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders.

Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Senior Vice President, Renault Corporate Sales Division, adds: "Electric vehicles are the real long-term solution to today's environmental and noise pollution issues. We have created an exciting range of zero-emission vehicles to meet the needs of the consumer and the business-traveller. Our partnership with Hertz will allow the public to experience our innovative driving technology first-hand, as well as developing their understanding of the environmental benefits of our Renault ZE Range."

With its partner Nissan, Renault aims to become the leader in zero-emission (in use) mobility, namely the first car manufacturer to sell a complete range of electric passenger cars and light commercial vehicles at an affordable price for the greatest number. This year will be a decisive chapter in Renault history with the launch of three electric models, Fluence Z.E., Kangoo Z.E. and Twizy, followed by ZOE in 2012.

During the next several months, Hertz Global EV will leverage the company's rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology -- including sophisticated fleet management tools and the consumer-facing NeverLost GPS system -- to help form an EV grid.

The electric vehicles from Renault will complement Hertz's existing Green Collection. All the cars in Hertz's Green Collection in Europe can be reserved by make and model, and offer a CO2 output level of less than 140g/km, making them more environmentally friendly than most other cars. The cars in the Collection also achieve 45-65mpg, depending upon vehicle size, so they are more fuel-efficient too. Together, that means customers can enjoy their journey even more, safe in the knowledge that they are saving along the way.

About RenaultThe Renault group, with more than 350 industrial and commercial sites in 118 countries, designs, develops, manufactures and sells a broad range of innovative, safe and environmentally respectful vehicles. Renault pursues its strategy of profitable growth under the Renault, Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors brands. The Renault group employs 121 000 people worldwide, reported a net revenue of EUR 38,971 million and has sold more than 2.6 million vehicles in 2010.

For more information about Renault, please see www.renault.com.

About Hertz Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand operating from more than 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 81 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also operates the Advantage car rental brand at 26 airports in the U.S. and the global car sharing club, Connect by Hertz, in New York City, Berlin, London, Madrid, Melbourne, and Paris. In addition, Hertz operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of rental equipment, including tools and supplies, and new and used equipment for sale from approximately 325 branches in the United States, Canada, China, France, Spain and Italy.

For more information please see www.hertz.com.