car2go, carsharing in the smart fortwo, comes to Austin, Texas this fall (

Autoblog.com / autobloggreen ^ | Mar 26th 2009 | Sebastian Blanco

[wolf78]

You know what state needs more smart fortwos? Texas. That must have been Daimler's thinking before approving an expansion of the car2go carsharing service there. Daimler started car2go in Ulm, Germany last October and it will be coming to Austin, Texas - that little blueberry in the big red cherry pie of a state - this fall. There are now more than 200 fortwo cdi models that anyone in Ulm, visitor or resident, can rent by the minute, hour or day, 24/7. Costs range from 19 euro cents a minute to 9.90 euros an hour to 49 euros a day. Unlike other car-sharing services, registering for the car2go service is free. Daimler didn't release any information on possible pricing for the U.S. service.

Calling the Austin expansion "the next logical step," Daimler's Thomas Weber said that carsharing in the little fortwos is an "answer to current and future mobility needs in metropolitan areas." The main goal of the Austin service is to figuring how best to export the model to other countries. Basically, Daimler needs to figure out the issues with language, laws and layout. [...] Austin's fleet will start with 200 fortwo mhd (micro-hybrid) models. Hook 'em, smart.

[wolf78]

Like public transport, only much more private and it gets you everywhere you want. You only pay for what you use, registration is free.

[pnh102]

I’ve noticed that ZipCar or whatever they have in the DC area also is renting out pickup trucks. I think I might look into that option the next time I need to rent a truck.

[gwilhelm56]

Hate to say this, but Ithaca, NY has had a CarShare program for almost a YEAR, now. The Ultimate in Communalism or COMMUNISM.. we have a dozen or so PRIUS strategically placed around town.

Better watch it Austin, or you’re gonna find your comrades ..errr ... Neighbors voting for RALPH NADER..

It’s only a step or two from CarSharing to the pure communism of RALPH NADER... Good Luck ..You’re Going to NEED IT!!

[wbill]

Well, if it's a private company, and they make a go of it....more power to them.

If they demand gov't subsidies, can only succeed with the handouts, and get financed by taxpayers, to heck with them.

[al_c]

[buccaneer81]

Ulm, you say?

[wolf78]

Well, if it's a private company, and they make a go of it....more power to them.

My sentiment exactly.

[Publius6961]

My sentiment exactly.

Some people are so self-centered and wrapped up in themselves that they view everyone who disagrees with them as the enemy. The are the new "Copernicans,", the universe revolves around themselves.

Having said that (we have a variant of the cars2go in the California central valley) the business model is more predatory than normal car rental companies, overpriced by 100%, even allowing for a decent profit.

[wolf78]

D*mn. Clicked on the "post" button by mistake. Here's the rest:

I actually drove a smart car once and I have to say: It's a really bad car in the sense that it doesn't have enough luggage space for that big-screen TV and handles badly on the highway. And yet at the same time if you look at it as a different mode of transportation it works, it's like the world's greatest scooter: You find a parking spot even in megacities and it comfortably seats even Rush Limbaugh.

. I think this kind of car-sharing is actually the best thing you can do with a smart. If you need an affordable car, a Yaris or Rabbit's a way better choice. But just to get you from A to B (and not C like a bus) from time to time, this seems like a perfect fit. You could even book one via iPhone, so it's perfectly convenient.

[wbill]

My thought exactly.

I *like* the idea of a short-term rent-a-truck (mentioned by another poster).

Do I need one for a week, or even an entire day? Nope. But I could use one for an hour or two to haul a couch to storage. That'd be handy.

[Right Wing Assault]

Lots of them in Rome.

[Sarajevo]

LOL! Moo, get outa’ my way, city boy;-)!

[justlurking]

I’ve noticed that ZipCar or whatever they have in the DC area also is renting out pickup trucks. I think I might look into that option the next time I need to rent a truck.

You need to apply for a ZipCar membership first. I think it's a $25 application fee and $50/year. It's not instant enrollment, so you must do it about 2 weeks before you plan to rent the truck.

I'm not sure why they think they need to "test" this in Austin. ZipCar has been renting cars using this methodology for quite a while, and it worked well for me.