Daimler maker of Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles will bring its innovative "car2go" mobility concept to the U.S. by fall of this year. The first international pilot will start in the Texas capital Austin with an initial fleet of about 200 fuel efficient smart fortwo cars.
Car2go provides a simple, flexible, and costeffective solution for city driving. The U.S. introduction coincides with the expansion of the pilot in Ulm, Germany, where the company opened the service to the public on March 26 after the internal test which started last October.
Fleet of "smarties"
The car2go concept is based on a fleet of smart fortwo cars which are available for rent to registered members at any time, 24/7, making city driving as easy as using a mobile phone.
"The results of the first, internal pilot phase in Ulm demonstrate that, with car2go, we have found an additional answer to current and future mobility needs in urban areas - our project in Austin is the next logical step," comments Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and for Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Contrary to traditional car-sharing programs, car2go offers the freedom to get in a car and drive at any time of day without reserving a car in advance. The vehicle can then be used for as long as required and returned to any available parking location within the defined area of operation - a mobility solution offering maximum flexibility.
"We are delighted to be chosen as the first international partner for car2go," says Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "Our city is well-known for its commitment to environmental issues and car2go is a perfect fit because it enables us to offer the citizens of Austin an intelligent mobility concept with an extremely positive environmental angle. The project has my full support."
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| Daimler maker of Mercedes-Benz and smart vehicles will bring its innovative "car2go" mobility concept. |
Car2go provides a simple, flexible, and costeffective solution for city driving. The U.S. introduction coincides with the expansion of the pilot in Ulm, Germany, where the company opened the service to the public on March 26 after the internal test which started last October.
Fleet of "smarties"
The car2go concept is based on a fleet of smart fortwo cars which are available for rent to registered members at any time, 24/7, making city driving as easy as using a mobile phone.
"The results of the first, internal pilot phase in Ulm demonstrate that, with car2go, we have found an additional answer to current and future mobility needs in urban areas - our project in Austin is the next logical step," comments Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and for Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Contrary to traditional car-sharing programs, car2go offers the freedom to get in a car and drive at any time of day without reserving a car in advance. The vehicle can then be used for as long as required and returned to any available parking location within the defined area of operation - a mobility solution offering maximum flexibility.
"We are delighted to be chosen as the first international partner for car2go," says Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "Our city is well-known for its commitment to environmental issues and car2go is a perfect fit because it enables us to offer the citizens of Austin an intelligent mobility concept with an extremely positive environmental angle. The project has my full support."
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| car2go offers the freedom to get in a car and drive at any time of day without reserving a car in advance. |