CAMBRIDGE, Mass.
Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, Inc., the world's largest car sharing service, announced today that its CEO and Chairman Scott Griffith will be a keynote speaker at the Inc. 500|5000 Conference, a three-day event in Washington D.C. Griffith will speak today during a general session and will discuss the emergence of Zipcar's car-sharing service as more than just a company, but as a category with the potential to fundamentally transform consumers, businesses, urban living and potentially the U.S. auto industry.
More than half of Zipcar members report selling or avoiding a car after joining Zipcar, driving 40 percent fewer miles and increasing transit ridership by almost 20 percent. A recent Zipcar survey showed that 80 percent of members reported saving money by using Zipcar, with half of respondents saying they used the savings primarily for other household bills, including rent and mortgage, and about half using it for personal savings or reducing debt. About 30 percent of the respondents said they secondarily used the savings for "fun stuff" or discretionary purposes.
"Zipcar has grown during the go-go days of the pre-recession bubble, through the pre-recession gas price spikes, and even now through the retrenchment of the current recession," said Griffith. "People are increasingly realizing the cost savings and lifestyle benefits of Zipcar, making it a mainstream transportation option. Looking ahead, this shift is fundamentally improving urban living and will influence the future direction of the U.S. auto industry."
The event marks the 28th anniversary of Inc. magazine's annual ranking of America's fastest-growing privately held companies. The Inc. 500|5000 Conference brings together current honorees and alumni of the list, which features the U.S.'s 5,000 fast-growing private companies, along with the broader business community, in an effort to recognize the achievements of these companies. Zipcar was featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine in 2007, and has made Inc.'s list of the fastest growing companies for the past two years.
In addition to Griffith's remarks, the three day events will feature several other keynote speakers, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. The agenda for the event is available online.
About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world's leading 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. As a leader in urban transportation, Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to savvy city residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car in the city.
For further information: visit Zipcar.com, Zipcar.ca or Zipcar.co.uk .
