Advertising Age Magazine Names Flexcar Top ''Eco-marketer''

NEW YORK--Flexcar today was honored by Advertising Age magazine as a top “Eco-marketer” at its first ever Green Conference in New York City. Flexcar was one of only six companies across the U.S. to receive the honor; the other honorees were Ben & Jerry’s, Toyota, HP, Timberland and Aspen Skiing Company.

The Green Conference was created to celebrate marketers who are doing the best job of integrating environmental sustainability into their brand DNA. The awards were given to the people and companies making those measurable changes in an effort to better the environment. These "Eco-marketing Honorees" and other top marketers participated in discussions and case studies.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from Advertising Age magazine,” said Flexcar CEO Mark Norman. “It is a testament that Flexcar is an idea whose time has come. And while mainstream companies attempt to make their products more “green,” we’ve taken our “green” idea and made it more mainstream. The result is more convenience and cost savings for members, less congestion for communities and cleaner air for us all.”

Flexcar gives its members the freedom of owning a car without the cost and hassles. Flexcar’s “point-click-drive” system lets members have a car just when they need it, paying for it just when they use it. Vehicles are parked in conveniently located reserved parking spots throughout 12 U.S. cities. Members reserve a Flexcar online or via touchtone phone, use their Flexcard to open the doors, take their trip, then return the car to its parking spot at the end of the reservation. A typical Flexcar rate is $9.00 per hour or about $60.00 per day, and it includes gas, insurance, 150 free miles, maintenance, a reserved parking spot and 24-7 emergency service.

The environmental by-products of car-sharing programs have been well documented by independent research: each shared car removes up to 15 personally owned vehicles, and members reduce vehicle miles traveled by 40 percent and increase their use of public transit.

Flexcar’s environmentally friendly fleet already exceeds current national average CAFE standards by more than 10 miles per gallon (36.06 vs. 24.85), and also exceeds the fuel efficiency of the average new vehicle. More than 30 percent of the fleet is comprised of hybrid vehicles, and more than 80 percent of the fleet is certified ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) by the California Air Resources Board. Not only is Flexcar’s fleet cool, it’s also fun, with dozens of MINIs, Scion tCs, Mazda Miatas and the new Lexus RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV.

About Flexcar

Flexcar founded the U.S. car-sharing industry and has operations in more cities (12) across the U.S. than any other provider. By the hour or by the day, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork or paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar’s University programs enable campuses to address parking and mobility issues for faculty, staff and students. Flexcar's fleet includes environmentally friendly hybrid sedans, utility vehicles (including pickups, minivans, and SUVs), sporty cars (including MINIs, Miatas and Scion tCs) and luxury vehicles (Lexus). Flexcar is a portfolio company of Revolution Living, an operating unit of Steve Case’s investment firm Revolution, LLC. More information on the company is available online at www.flexcar.com.

Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation of name is "Flexcar" (not Flex-car, FlexCar, Flexicar or Flex Car).