Further evidence of Fiat
Group Automobiles UK’s drive into the fleet market is
provided today with the announcement of a major tie-in
with leading car-share organisation Connect. The
Hertz-owned car-by-the-hour business has agreed a deal
in the UK will make the Fiat 500 and Alfa MiTo the key
cars in its rental fleet, as it expands Connect’s appeal
to customers looking for occasional use of a car.
Being rolled out in the
UK initially in London, the car-share scheme is being
prepared for wider use later this year. Connect works by
making cars available to hire for as little as an hour
at a time. A special swipe card unlocks the pre-ordered
vehicle, allowing the driver to use it for the time
booked before returning it to its home point.
Both Hertz and FGAUK
believe the Fiat 500 and Alfa MiTo will make perfect
cars for this service, and the former has agreed to take
170 vehicles at the start. A blend of good fuel economy,
sub-120g/km CO2 figures, ease of driving and individual
styling set the two models apart. And if Connect
customers like their Fiat or Alfa Romeo and they don’t
want to give it back – FGAUK is currently devising
special terms and offers for Connect members wishing to
buy one.
“The Connect
arrangement fits very well into our fleet strategy and
is a high-profile, exciting deal,” says Andrew
Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles
UK and Ireland.
“This gives us a
significant retail platform as it’s exactly the right
audience for our products,” adds Paolo Lo Monaco,
finance and business development director, Fiat Group
Automobiles UK and Ireland. “It puts the Fiat 500 and
Alfa MiTo right where we want them to be – in the hands
of young, environmentally-conscious individuals who are
free-thinking about the car they want to drive.”
Bob Stuart, Senior
Vice President of Global Sales at Hertz, says: “We are
extremely excited to have formed this exclusive alliance
with Fiat for our car sharing club offer in the UK. The
addition of the Alfa Romeo MiTo and the expansion of our
Fiat 500 fleet really demonstrate Connect by Hertz’s
commitment to transforming the way we travel in the
city. The Fiat 500 has been extremely popular with
customers, so we are reacting accordingly by adding more
of these to the service. Both cars offer innovative and
eco-friendly alternatives while remaining at the height
of fashion – a perfect combination for our members.”
