Zipcar goes mobile to make life easier for customers

Zipcar is letting customers find and reserve Zipcars around the corner or across the globe in just a few taps via its new iPhone application. The first and only car-sharing technology of its kind, the Zipcar application lets users sort cars by time, model or type, and while in a reservation, honk, unlock and lock the vehicle with their iPhone or iPod touch. “We are always looking for ways to make life easier for our Zipsters,” said Nancy Scott Lyon, a spokeswoman for Zipcar, Cambridge, MA. “When we discovered that more than 25 percent of Zipcar members have iPhones (and that number is growing), we knew this app would be a handy addition. “Also, our developers couldn't wait to get their hands on this innovative mobile platform that Apple has created.” she said.

Zipcar is a car-sharing service with 325,000 members and 6,500 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout 28 North American states and provinces as well as in London, England. Users are able to locate the Zipcar location closest to them and get directions on how to get there. Additionally, users can easily locate their reserved Zipcar by telling it to honk its horn.The application lets consumers extend or cancel reservations on the go.Customers can tap to contact Zipcar if help is needed during a reservation. Even those who aren't Zipsters can download the application and kick the tires. Users can see which Zipcars are closest to them and learn what being a Zipster is all about.The application lets users find available Zipcars on a map using their current, favorite or any location. The Zipcar application is available immediately for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch (requires iPhone OS 3.0) or athttp://www.itunes.com/apps/zipcar. “Today Zipcar supports practically every mobile device available from Blackberry, to iPhone, to web-enabled phones,” Ms. Lyon said. “The iPhone has several specific features that we are able to utilize - along with a very active Web application user base.”