Zipcar, the car sharing subsidiary of Avis, began rolling out in May its new One Way program that enables members to take point-to-point trips within cities or travel to and from airport terminals.
Currently being tested and slated to launch in a select series of markets later this year, the program will feature Honda’s 2015 Fit as the exclusive rental vehicle.
“With this initiative, we build on a long and successful relationship with Honda, whose leadership in sustainability and engagement with the car sharing industry during the past decade have helped accelerate the growth of the car sharing category,” she reports, describing the Fit as “a fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and versatile subcompact that is small enough to zip in and around cities, yet large enough to comfortably fit up to five people and their gear.”
Ceille credits Honda with driving the development of car sharing, dating back to the automaker’s introduction of the Intelligent Community Vehicle System (ICVS) concept in 1994.
“Honda has long been involved in the car sharing industry, and we believe that this program will help reduce emissions and city congestion while providing a new level of freedom and convenience to customers,” says Honda’s Steven Center, vice president of environmental business development.
“Created for urban mobility, the Fit subcompact and Zipcar One Way service will offer Zipsters the best of sustainable city transportation in a functional, stylish and fuel efficient package,” he notes.
“For more than a decade members have trusted Zipcar for a variety of round-trips, from the ordinary – grocery store runs – to the extraordinary – weddings,” says Ceille. “With the launch of Zipcar One Way, members will soon have more flexibility in the types of trips they can take.”
The company provides more than 850,000 members on-demand access to more than 10,000 vehicles in urban areas on college campuses and at airports across the U.S., Canada and throughout the U.K., Spain, and Austria. It operates in nearly 30 major metro markets, on more than 350 college campuses at about 30 airports.
“Zipcar fills a vital need for many types of people, including those that rely on public transportation, who seek the convenience and flexibility that the bus and train can’t always provide, as well as car lovers who seek the freedom and joy of driving, but want to avoid the cost and hassle of owning a car in the city, says Ceille.
Members have access to a fleet of vehicles consisting of 30 different makes and models, including hybrids, SUVs, pickup trucks, luxury vehicles minivans, and cargo vans.
“The Zipcar mobile app for iPhone and Android makes finding and reserving Zipcars easy and quick. You can even honk the horn to locate your car and unlock the doors through your mobile device,” she says.
While the traditional American Dream for many may include having a car in the garage, more than half of the millennials surveyed by Zipcar contend that the high costs of maintenance, parking and gas make it difficult for them to own a car, while only 35 percent of older generations feel the same. The study finds 17 percent of 18-24 year olds don’t even have a license, echoing data from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute that shows only 22 percent of licensed drivers are twenty-somethings or teenagers.
Millennials are the only generation that believes losing their phone would have a greater negative impact on their life than losing their car, according to Ceille.
A Zipcar membership costs $60 per year or $6 a month. Rates for the Occasional Driving Plan start at $8.25 per hour. Discounted weekday driving fees are available for Zipcar4Business customers.
“Zipcar takes care of gas, insurance, maintenance and a dedicated parking spot,” she explains. Reservations include 180 miles of travel per day.
Ceille and her staff have prepared a series of questions and answers about Zipcar’s operations:
Q: How do I join?
A: Apply online. (www.zipcar.com.) It only takes a few minutes. Within 3-7 days, you’ll receive a Zipcard in the mail. Your Zipcard is your ticket to any car in our network.
Q: Do you offer corporate memberships?
A: Yes, Zipcar for Business is a great money- and time-saving alternative to taxis, car services, rental cars, employee reimbursement and company fleets. Zipcar provides you with self-service access to a diverse fleet of cars 24/7, with discounted driving rates Monday through Friday.
Q: What types of vehicles can I drive?
A: There are lots of models to choose from, so there’s a Zipcar for your every whim. Cruise around in a Mini, haul stuff in a cargo van, visit clients in a BMW or be extra eco-savvy in a hybrid. So many possibilities! Please note that models vary by city.
Q: Do Zipcars have automatic or manual transmissions?
A: All Zipcars in the U.S. have automatic transmissions. If you reserve a Zipcar in another country, you may come across some with manual transmissions. If you prefer, you can filter your search to show only automatic cars.
Q: What are “hourly only” Zipcars?
A: Some cities have hourly only cars. These little guys are reserved for short local trips, and they give members access to more Zipcars on short notice. If the daily rate appears as “N/A” on the reservation page, it’s an hourly only Zipcar. There are no day rates available for these cars.
Q: Are any Zipcars equipped with hand controls?
A: Yes, we do have hand controls available. Based on the needs of our current members, some regions already have them in place. In these regions, just give us a call at least 24 hours before your reservation so we can make arrangements. In regions where they are not yet available, please give us seven days notice.
Q: How do I get inside the car?
A: When you join, you are issued a Zipcard. (It’s about the shape and size of a credit card.) At the time of your reservation, just hold your Zipcard against the card reader in the windshield. Hold it steady for a few seconds, and the doors will unlock.
Once you’ve scanned in with your Zipcard, you can then either use your smartphone or your Zipcard to lock and unlock the doors throughout your reservation. We have apps for iPhone or Android.
Q: Where are the car keys?
A: The key is waiting for you inside the car, attached to a tether on the steering column. The key should always remain inside the car. Use your Zipcard or smartphone to lock and unlock the doors throughout your reservation. Note that some car models have start buttons instead of keys. To start one of these cars, simply step on the brake, press the start button, and you’re good to go. In some countries, the key is in the glove compartment.
Q: Can I take the car early?
A: If there’s no reservation immediately before yours, you can take the car up to 14 minutes early at no extra charge. (If you enter the car 15 to 30 minutes prior, you will be billed for an additional half hour.)
The doors will only unlock early if the car is available. If you can’t get in, that means the car may still be reserved by the previous member. Simply wait until your reservation start time and try again.
Q: What if the car is damaged?
A: Before you drive off, be sure to take a few minutes to do a thorough walk-around to see if there are any dents, scratches or other damage. Check the inside as well. If you notice any problems, call us and report it. Please provide us with as much detail as possible, like the exact location of the damage, the approximate size of any dents or scratches, etc. You don’t want to be held responsible for damage you didn’t cause, so please don’t forget to check at the start of every reservation.
Q: What if the car is dirty or low on fuel?
A: Your Zipcar should be clean and have at least 1/4 tank of fuel when you arrive. It’s all part of the rules. If there’s a problem, we ask that you call us and report it. If you’d like to take the car for a cleaning, we’ll reimburse your account up to $10. If you prefer, we’ll do our best to move you to a different vehicle.
Q: Can I extend my reservation?
A: Provided that another member does not have a reservation immediately after yours, you can extend using the iPhone or Android app, SMS, mobile website or call 866‑4ZIPCAR.
Subscribe to Aftermarket Business World and receive articles like this every month….absolutely free. Click here.
