IKEA Stoughton and Zipcar Team to Create Unique Car Sharing Program

IKEA Stoughton becomes first major U.S. retail store to embrace car sharing

Cambridge, MA (December 08, 2005) — Even though IKEA Stoughton is approximately 20 miles from Boston, people who live and work in the city may feel as if the world's leading home furnishings retailer is as close as the end of their street. Zipcar, the nation's largest provider of on-demand cars for use by the hour or day, today announced a new program with IKEA Stoughton to incorporate the country's leading car sharing experience as an integral part of the new store, making IKEA Stoughton accessible to tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents and businesses without cars and helping to reduce traffic and car emissions and maximize parking.

With the partnership, IKEA Stoughton becomes the first major U.S. retail store to reserve parking spaces for car sharing vehicles. As part of IKEA Stoughton's commitment to car sharing, five spaces in the store's parking lot will be reserved as "Zipcar Only" spots. Six IKEA-branded Zipcars will also be placed at Zipcar locations throughout Greater Boston and made available to all Zipcar members at a discount. Additionally, Zipcar members will enjoy exclusive benefits, such as one free dinner in the store restaurant for each one purchased. As the program continues to evolve and expand over time, Zipcar members will also be invited to participate in special IKEA events and promotions not available to the public. (See IKEA photos)

IKEA will also become Zipcar's latest Z2B (Zipcar for Business) client, joining over 50,000 personal and business drivers across the country who have turned to Zipcar as a means of having transportation freedom without the costs and hassles of car ownership.

"With Zipcar, we are reaching a portion of our customers who either do not have a means of transportation to shop at IKEA Stoughton or are utilizing this service to help conserve the environment. Not only is this a great way to reach customers, our 500+ coworkers will also benefit from this program for business and personal use," said Frank Briel, Store Manager.

"Both IKEA and Zipcar share a larger mission - improving the environment and advocating for positive change in our communities," said Zipcar CEO Scott Griffith. "IKEA's pioneering partnership is a powerful example of how a leading retailer can enhance life for urban residents and employees. Everyone at Zipcar looks forward to playing an important role in their growth and success."

With Zipcar's technology, accessing and using a Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from an ATM. In minutes or up to a year in advance, members can reserve Zipcars online or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Zipcar members have automated access to Zipcars using a "Zipcard" to simply unlock the door and drive away. Rates for these special hourly-only, IKEA branded Zipcars will start at $6.00 per hour, with gas, parking and insurance included. To join Zipcar, members simply need to have a valid driver's license, be 21+, meet safe driving standards and have desire to fill their home with great furniture.

About Zipcar
Zipcar (www.zipcar.com) was founded in 1999. Since 2000, when Zipcars first hit the road, over 50,000 consumers and business drivers ages 21+ have joined. Zipcar currently operates more than 900 vehicles in ten states including metropolitan Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, DC. In July 2005, Zipcar secured $10 million in funding, led by Benchmark Capital, to begin aggressive expansion to become the country’s first national car sharing service. As part of this expansion, Zipcar recently launched West Coast operations, with plans to bring its service to additional major metropolitan areas in the near future.

About IKEA
IKEA, the leading home furnishings retailer founded in 1943, offers a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked twice in FORTUNE magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list and three times in both Working Mother's "100 Best Companies" and Training's "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development. IKEA supports responsible business practices and innovative initiatives that help protect the environment and the future for children around the world. Currently, there are over 220 IKEA stores in 32 countries, 26 of which are in the U.S. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com.