Zipcar Completes Additional Investment in Barcelona-Based Avancar to Become Majority Shareholder

CAMBRIDGE, MA and BARCELONA, Spain--Feb. 2, 2012: Zipcar, Inc. , the world's leading car sharing network, today announced the completion of its option to purchase a majority ownership interest in Barcelona-based Catalunya Carsharing S.A., known as Avancar.  With this transaction completed, Zipcar is now the majority shareholder for the company with a controlling stake of more than 60 percent. This deal builds on Zipcar's initial equity investment in Avancar which was announced in December 2009. 

"As the majority shareholder in Avancar, we look forward to developing Avancar's presence in the Barcelona metro area," said Scott Griffith, Chairman and CEO of Zipcar.  "Avancar has made a strong start and we believe there is significant opportunity to scale the business with the benefit of our technology, processes and car sharing know-how."

"Additionally, our increased stake in Avancar is in keeping with our planned build-out of a car sharing network in cities across Europe," Griffith continued.  "With the completion of this transaction, along with the integration of our UK operations and the recently announced appointment of Frerk-Malte Feller as president of Zipcar Europe, we are gaining momentum as we work to grow and expand the car sharing category and Zipcar's presence throughout Europe."  

Avancar is the largest car sharing service in Spain.  The company operates a fleet of vehicles throughout the cities of Barcelona and Sant Cugat del Valles. 

According to research by Frost & Sullivan, the market for car sharing in Europe could reach 5.5 million members and 3 billion euros.  In addition, a 2009 Zipcar study supported by the Economist Intelligence Unit's data and methodology found that Barcelona is a top 20 global car sharing city.

About Avancar

Avancar Carsharing was the first car sharing operator in Spain, and has been offering cars per hour or per day in Barcelona and its metropolitan area since 2005. The company operates a fleet of vehicles throughout the cities of Barcelona and Sant Cugat del Valles. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, allowing reservations to be made online or by telephone up to five minutes before the start of one's trip.  More information is available at Avancar. 

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car sharing network with approximately 650,000 members and 9,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at Zipcar.