The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) is announcing the global launch of Hertz 24/7, (www.hertz247.com or www.hertz.com) a revolutionary new rental service available any time, day or night. The expansion is a game changer for the industry because for the first time customers will be able to rent a wide variety of vehicles near their home or work when needed and for any length of time — hourly, daily, weekly or monthly. The company estimates that by 2016, it will have “self-serve” vehicles within minutes of the majority of the United States population.
The company is also announcing that it will host a 24/7 product and service demonstration event in the metropolitan New York City area during the second week of September, 2013. This technology event will focus on the future of in-car telematics and mobile applications to enhance the rental experience. Additional details will be provided later this summer.
“Driven by the company’s award-winning technology, Hertz is reinventing the car rental industry by putting the rental process in the hands of consumers. Technology-enhanced vehicles will be available close to where customers live or work, making it easier than ever to reserve and quickly pick-up a rental vehicle at the customer’s convenience. Urban and suburban customers will be able to rent a much wider variety of vehicles at any hour – not just weekdays 9 to 5 when a neighborhood rental location is open. 24/7 service is a key part of our commitment to create the fastest, easiest and most valued rental experiences in the business,” commented Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark P. Frissora.
Once a member, the Hertz 24/7 customer experience is powered by the fast and easy “Click. Swipe. Go!” process. Click on hertz247.com or hertz.com from your mobile device or laptop and complete the simple 24/7 reservation process in a few minutes. The car will only be minutes away and Swipe the 24/7 key fob against the reader on the windshield to unlock the doors. Then Go!, after retrieving the keys tethered to the dashboard.
Hertz 24/7 service is available today at 1,800 neighborhood and airport locations in the U.S., France, Germany, U.K., Spain and Australia with plans to be in more than 2,000 locations by year end. The company now has 35,000 vehicles (cars, mini-vans, vans and SUVs) equipped for 24/7 rentals. The company will be prepared to have approximately 500,000 Hertz 24/7-enabled vehicles in service globally by 2016. At that point, Hertz 24/7’s fleet would be more than ten times the size of the current car sharing industry combined.