AUSTIN, Dec. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Silvercar, an Austin-based technology company, is now accepting advance car rental bookings for travelers visiting Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in early 2013. The reimagined car rental experience features a single make/model fleet comprised of silver 2013 Audi A4s.
Travelers book reservations through the Silvercar app, available for download from the App Store for iOS users and also the Google Play Store for Android. Web reservations and bookings through travel management companies are also now available. Inbound travelers to DFW can drive their own Silvercar off the lot beginning January 14, 2013.
"We're thrilled to debut the Silvercar concept at DFW Airport in the coming weeks," said Silvercar chief executive officer Luke Schneider. "The integration of Web, wireless, mobile and vehicle technologies helps Silvercar eliminate critical friction points in the car rental process; our pledge to travelers is a better car, and a better car rental experience, each and every time."
Once through the airport terminal, Silvercar customers will board DFW's shuttle service to the consolidated car rental facility. The similarities, however, end there. Silvercar customers won't find check-in lines or traditional counters; rather the entire customer experience is technology-enabled. Customers place reservations, select and unlock a vehicle, and even receive their receipt through a seamless smartphone user interface.
Users' contact, payment and personal preference information will be stored in a Silvercar profile on a secure cloud server. Previously loaded preferences - such as itinerary destinations - can sync to Audi's in-dash multimedia interface after unlocking the vehicle. The ever-growing set of customizations means Silvercar's Audi A4 becomes the traveler's own vehicle, whenever and wherever they drive it.
Silvercar co-founder and executive chairman Bill Diffenderffer, who himself has decades of experience in the travel industry and led the launch of innovative airline Skybus as CEO, is confident the upstart will find an audience among savvy travelers.
"Silvercar was born out of one too many frustrating travel experiences at the car rental counter - the long waits and failure to receive a vehicle that fulfills your needs are irritations most travelers can relate to," Diffenderffer said. "We encourage inbound DFW travelers to drop in and check out a Silvercar. By offering only Audi A4s - a cool car in itself - we're putting the renter back into the driver's seat."
Silvercar intends to price at daily rates similar to comparably equipped full-size vehicles available from leading car rental services. Customers will always receive a premium vehicle, Google Earth GPS navigation, Sirius/XM satellite radio and a toll tag at no additional charge (actual toll fees will be applied to a customer's bill). To simplify the return process, Silvercar will charge users the average retail price for the fuel used plus a $5.00 service fee. The car rental industry, CEO Schneider says, is long overdue for innovation.
"We're mindful of the fact that Silvercar is entering a large incumbent market, dominated by a handful of well-established companies," Schneider said. "We're energized by the opportunity to make a measureable impact on the industry by introducing a unique and refreshing experience."
The Silvercar app is available for download from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android. Additionally, walk up customers will be able to reserve a Silvercar by completing their user profile at a self-serve kiosk or with available on-site concierges.
To learn more about Silvercar or book today, visit Silvercar.com.
About Silvercar
With a mission to reimagine the airport car rental experience, Silvercar is launching its first operation at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in January 2013. Silvercar will offer a single make-model combination, the 2013 Audi A4 (in silver, of course), using Web, wireless and mobile technologies to eliminate the friction points in the car rental process. An ever-increasing set of custom settings in a traveler's Silvercar profile allows a personalized experience to follow renters from car to car. A privately held company, Austin-based Silvercar is initially funded by $11.2 million in venture capital investment, led by Austin Ventures and including CrunchFund, SV Angel Fund, and tech industry success spotters Chris Dixon and Dave Morin. For more information, visit www.silvercar.com.
SOURCE Silvercar
