PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Your future rental car could be a smart car, thanks to Hertz. Hertz has signed a three-year agreement with AT&T* to provide a suite of communication services that allow Hertz representatives to wirelessly enable, monitor and manage Connect by Hertz vehicles remotely. By utilizing the AT&T wireless network, Connect by Hertz offers a state of the art in-car communication capability for enhanced customer services. Car sharing services, like Connect by Hertz, provide an alternative to car ownership - allowing users to experience the benefits of owning a car, such as anytime access, without the hassles of fixed costs or repairs. Connect by Hertz members are able to wirelessly stay in contact with Connect by Hertz throughout their rental experience. Additionally, Hertz can remotely communicate with the vehicle - enabling representatives to unlock, engage and locate vehicles, track drive time information and receive car return confirmation. By year-end, Hertz plans to have 1500 Connect by Hertz vehicles equipped with AT&T wireless service. "Meeting our customers' needs and providing car sharing products were key drivers behind developing a wireless solution for Connect by Hertz," said Joseph Eckroth, senior vice president and chief information officer, The Hertz Corporation. "We decided to work with AT&T because we needed a reliable wireless provider whose network could go where our customers are going." Connect by Hertz, which launched in December 2008, offers consumers a convenient and socially conscious alternative that transfers the fixed costs of car ownership to per-trip costs. The program provides members with anytime access to vehicles in Hertz's fleet and includes insurance, fuel, roadside assistance, maintenance and cleaning. The solution being provided for Connect by Hertz combines the capabilities and scope of AT&T's wireless and global IP networks - enabling customers like Hertz to leverage the benefits of one end-to-end solution and one point of contact. Additionally, these networks will enable new applications that converge voice, data and video for AT&T business customers. The new agreement continues a long-standing relationship between Hertz and AT&T. From the time a customer makes a car rental reservation through returning the vehicle, AT&T's voice and data networking services facilitate Hertz's ability to provide the best possible customer experience. Hertz's airport and local car rental counters and major corporate sites are connected nationwide through the AT&T Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. AT&T wirelessly enabled devices are used to log in vehicles and print receipts on rent/return lots. AT&T Managed Internet Service supports the Hertz Web site where customers can make reservations online and Hertz call centers use AT&T toll-free services so that customers can make reservations via phone or get roadside assistance during their rental process. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. About Hertz The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world's largest general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,000 locations in 145 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 42 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the Company has licensee locations in cities and airports in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz #1 Club Gold(R), NeverLost(R) customized, onboard navigation systems, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the company's Prestige, Fun and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. In 2008, the Company launched Connect by Hertz, entering the global car sharing market in London, New York City and Paris. Hertz also operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of equipment, including tools and supplies, as well as new and used equipment for sale, to customers ranging from major industrial companies to local contractors and consumers from approximately 330 branches in the United States, Canada, China, France and Spain. About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/. Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom. DATASOURCE: AT&T Inc. CONTACT: Paula Rivera of The Hertz Corporation, +1-201-307-2824, ;or Wendi Fuller of AT&T Corporate Communications, +1-214-665-1306, Web Site: http://www.att.com/

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