Flexcar Named 'Top Brand with a Conscience'; Among Only Eight Global Companies

SEATTLE--Jan. 5, 2005--Flexcar (www.flexcar.com), the nation's oldest and largest provider of car-sharing programs was chosen by the Medinge Group (www.medinge.org), an international think-tank on business and branding, as one of eight "Top Brands with a Conscience" in its second annual report.

The international collective of brand practitioners meets annually in August at a secluded location outside Stockholm, Sweden, and collaborates on the list, judging nominees on principles of humanity and ethics, rather than financial worth. The Brands With A Conscience List is evaluated on criteria including evidence of the human implications of the brand and considering the question of whether the brand takes risks in line with its beliefs. Evaluations are made based on reputation, self-representation, history, direct experience, contacts with individuals within the organizations, media and analysts and an assessment of the expressed values of sustainability.

Flexcar is the nation's oldest and largest provider of car-sharing programs, which allow members to instantly reserve a car online or via touchtone phone, take a trip, return the car and receive a bill at the end of the month. Flexible pricing plans let people pay by the hour or by the month. Gas, insurance, maintenance, 24-7 emergency support and a reserved parking spot are included in the fee.

Numerous company-sponsored as well as third-party research has shown that car-sharing participants sell or avoid buying cars, ride public transit or walk more and reduce the overall number of trips taken and miles driven. Combined with Flexcar's environmentally-friendly fleet of Honda vehicles, including its Civic Hybrid, Flexcar's impact on the environment has been significant.

"This award reflects what we believe is so exciting about Flexcar and car-sharing," said Lance Ayrault, president and CEO of Flexcar. "That you really can provide a convenient and universally needed service in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The two aren't mutually exclusive. We are honored by the recognition."

Following a successful European model, Flexcar launched its Seattle operations in 2000, and has since won numerous awards and commendations for its program that reduces congestion, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities. Used in conjunction with public transit, car/vanpools and walking/biking, car-sharing helps individuals meet their transportation needs in an economic and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership without the associated cost and hassles.

Flexcar

Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 25,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's modern fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro Transit, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group, Bristol Bay Native Corporation and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

.