NAFA Pacific Southwest Chapter Meeting Covers Car Sharing

TORRANCE, CA - Bobit Business Media editors attended the NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) Pacific Southwest Chapter meeting, held Oct. 30, focusing on car sharing. 

Three presenters discussed car-sharing programs, including Greg Tabak, director, business sales at Enterprise Holdings; Walter Rosenkranz, business development manager for Car2Go; and Linda Perez, account rep for Hertz on Demand. 

Tabak discussed Enterprise Holdings' car-sharing solution for businesses and individual use. Launched in 2008 after two years of development, WeCar utilizes traditional car-sharing technology to bring the benefits of car sharing to businesses and government agencies. According to Tabak, car sharing can impact a reduction in fleet size, carbon footprint, and costs.

Benefits of WeCar include onsite access to rental vehicles; an automated rental process 24 hours a day; transparent vehicle, trip, and employee driving data; increased utilization and reduced costs by efficiently sharing vehicles; reduction in mileage reimbursement, including short trips; and program customization, including dedicated vehicles, vehicle branding, and customizable billings.

Rosenkranz was up next, and he discussed Car2Go. DaimLer's personal mobility service, leveraging Daimler's global resources, Car2Go uses smart fortwo vehicles exclusively. One unique point of Car2Go is its ability to do a point-to-point rental. Drivers can pick up the vehicle at one location and drop it off at another. It's on demand, and no advance vehicle reservations are needed. There is an app that helps locate available vehicles as well. 

Car2Go features open-ended rentals; drivers have the car for however long they need it. Charges are by the minute, with discounted rates for a full day. The fee is also all inclusive; it includes the rental, fuel, insurance, any parking fees, and all maintenance. 

Car2Go currently operates in eight North American cities and seven cities in Europe. It currently offers 5,000-plus vehicles total, 625 of which are electric. 

Finally, Perez reviewed Hertz on Demand. Drivers can rent vehicles by the hour or the day. They are parked in urban areas, business, and university campuses. All vehicles are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is a simple smart card or key fob that enables vehicle access. Drivers can book vehicles online, via a mobile app, or by calling the MemberCare Center. 

All vehicles offered by Hertz on Demand are environmentally friendly, SmartWay-certified,  and carry four-star or higher safety ratings. Luxury and "green" models are available. According to Perez, "this is the future of mobility." It can help alleviate parking constraints/demands and traffic congestion. It provides a convenient, alternative transportation option.

By Lauren Fletcher