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Hertz and Navigation Solutions Introduce Real-Time Customizable Features to NeverLost


hertz (select to view enlarged photo)

PARK RIDGE, NJ and PLANO, TX--Nov. 17, 2011 -- The Hertz Corporation , the world's largest general use car rental brand, and Navigation Solutions, developer of Hertz NeverLost®, announce two new innovations ' Explore and Special Events features that provide real-time content on places to go, things to do and where to eat -- to the award-winning NeverLost in-car GPS system.

The awards, bestowed upon NeverLost by the Global Business Travelers Association (GBTA), the world's premier business travel and meetings industry organization, and The Wall Street Journal , include two Business Travel Innovation Awards: the People's Choice Award for overall innovation and the Travel Personalization Award for innovation and excellence in customizing the business traveler's experience. In addition, Hertz on Demand car sharing, which utilizes NeverLost technology, won the Sustainable Practice Award.

"Winning three awards from GBTA and the Wall Street Journal is a testament to the value Hertz brings to all travelers, from those needing a car for an hour or two to those with long-term rental needs," commented Mark Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As we continue to define the car rental experience, NeverLost's Explore and Special Events features provide customers with access to real-time travel information and services that can only enhance each customer's journey."

Another first for the rental car industry, the Explore and Special Events upgrades to NeverLost allow travelers to choose things to do, places to see, and trendy restaurants to enjoy, all specifically chosen and delivered wirelessly to NeverLost in the top 20 urban markets across America.

"We are pleased to introduce the new Explore and Special Events travel guide features exclusive to Hertz NeverLost," commented Joseph Eckroth, Hertz Chief Information Officer. "These features leverage our wireless capabilities to deliver destination and event-specific travel content direct to NeverLost in select urban markets. No other personal navigation or smartphone device can offer the level of real-time customized travel service that the award-winning Hertz NeverLost provides."

The Explore city feature, which will be available in 20 select markets by year end, appears on the opening screen of Hertz NeverLost. Content for each Explore city is automatically delivered wirelessly to NeverLost and remains accessible on the device throughout the traveler's trip. Travelers simply touch the on-screen "Explore" box to access the following features:

  • Must See (i.e. Must See Denver): offers up to 20 must-see destinations within the area;
  • Beyond City: shows up to 10 locations within driving distance from the core city;
  • New and Trendy Restaurants: lists up to 20 of the city's hottest dining destinations;
  • National Parks: includes up to 5 national park sites;
  • Local Events: features up to 30 local events, updated four times a month, including music, sports, art and theatre, family fun, conventions, and museum exhibits.

The Explore feature is currently available in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., followed by roll-outs in New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle, Nashville and Phoenix by year end.

For sports enthusiasts and convention attendees, Navigation Solutions delivers event-specific content, which is transmitted wirelessly, to the NeverLost Special Events feature which includes several event categories:

  • Event Location, the main convention center, stadium, or hotel hosting the event;
  • Event Parking;
  • Event Opening and Closing Ceremonies;
  • Event Sponsored Activities, i.e. Spa Days, Golf Outings, etc.;
  • Event Hotels, i.e. hotels officially mentioned or affiliated with the event.

Annual Trade Shows included on the device include SEMA, CES, POW WOW and CTIA. Sporting Events include the top national golf, football, basketball, baseball, hockey and tennis championships; BCS classic bowl games; horse racing favorites like the Kentucky Derby; and the legendary Indianapolis 500.

NeverLost's new Explore and Special Events enhancements, which are akin to having a personal travel guide, are supported by NeverLost's free on-demand Travel Services Desk and Online Trip Planning website. Navigation Solutions' travel content team researches numerous sources, including convention and visitors bureaus and city magazines to select the most relevant and current travel data for each feature.

Hertz NeverLost is available for rent on Hertz full-size and above vehicles for $12.99 per day, and is complimentary in Hertz Prestige Collection cars, excluding Volvo S60. NeverLost customers receive free trip planning services on demand when they call the Travel Services Desk toll-free 800-823-2547 from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m CDT every day for customized trips, trip changes, directions, or even to find "Best in Class" hotels and restaurants. Personalized travel information is sent wirelessly at no charge to NeverLost within minutes of a request.

About NeverLost

Introduced in 1997 by Navigation Solutions, LLC, the Hertz NeverLost® system was the car rental industry's first in-car navigation system. The Hertz NeverLost system provides turn-by-turn audio and visual driving directions to virtually any destination in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. In Hawaii, Hertz NeverLost offers NeverLost Explore Hawaii, an interactive Hawaiian travel guide on NeverLost Gen5 units complemented by My Explore Hawaii NeverLost's customized destination-specific smartphone mobile travel application under the My Explore mobile app brand. Navigation Solutions, headquartered in Plano, TX, is the developer of Hertz NeverLost, Explore and the My Explore brand of travel services and is majority owned by The Hertz Corporation.

About The Hertz Corporation

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. , is the world's largest general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,400 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is the No.1 airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 81 major airports in Europe.