The Hertz Corporation announced that Connect by Hertz, the global car sharing club of Hertz, has signed a three year agreement with the UK’s leading home improvement and garden center retailer, B&Q, to bring short term, self-drive van rental to customers. After a successful 23 week pilot across seven stores, Connect by Hertz vans will be rolled out to 137 B&Q stores across the UK from today. A demonstration of the van hire service is available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqcy_EGHI2o.

Mark P. Frissora, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Hertz, said: “Our agreement with B&Q has made the shopping experience even easier for customers. With a Connect by Hertz van, customers can shop with ease in the knowledge that they can take their large purchases directly home with them there and then, rather than worrying about fitting large items into their car or sitting at home waiting for deliveries. This agreement marks a new era in home delivery, and is just one example of how short term rentals are revolutionizing the way we move—demonstrating the possibilities Connect by Hertz can have for consumers, businesses and partners.”

The new agreement will give B&Q customers the option to rent a Connect by Hertz van from the store’s car park, enabling them to take large purchases home, immediately after payment. Customers will no longer need to worry about squeezing large fixtures and fittings into their own cars, or stay at home to wait for deliveries. With dual branded Connect by Hertz / B&Q vans stationed in the store’s car parks across the country, customers can shop with the utmost freedom, and not feel restricted by the size of the purchases they make.

Priced at just £14 (UK pounds sterling) an hour, customers can load their shopping into a LWB Ford Transit Van and take their latest purchases straight home with them. The price covers insurance, tax, congestion charges and 20 miles of fuel. Using the service is seamless; customers simply sign up to Connect by Hertz by using an instant enrolment pack available from the store. Alternatively, customers can enroll calling UK telephone number +44 207 365 4199 from today, or online at www.diy.com/connectbyhertz from April 14th.

Once on the road, the customer has full access to the Connect by Hertz member care center, which can assist customers in case of any questions. If a customer finds that a journey is taking longer than anticipated, the rental period can be extended using a touch pad fitted inside each vehicle.

Katherine Paterson, B&Q’s Marketing Director, highlighted: “Our agreement with Connect by Hertz is an example of our dedication to improving customer service at every possible touch point. By partnering with Connect by Hertz, we are offering customers a simple and convenient way to take their larger purchases home. With Connect by Hertz’s enhanced technology offerings such keyless entry to the vans, combined with its solid reputation for reliability, this agreement will greatly enhance the shopping experience. We have had hugely positive feedback from customers following the pilot, and are very excited to be adding this service to our stores.”

To hire a van, customers need to be 21 years and over, have a driving license and valid debit or credit card, and register to be a member of Connect by Hertz. Membership allows customers global access to a fleet of 1,000 cars and vans bookable by the hour.