The Hertz Corporation has launched Connect by Hertz, a rental car sharing service that lets customers who pay an annual fee to rent cars by the hour, similar to ZipCar, according to the New York Times. The service is initially available in New York and Park Ridge, NJ, as well as in London and Paris.

"Connect by Hertz members can make reservations online and use swipe cards to open their cars, which will be parked at 10 lots in Midtown Manhattan," the report said. "In a nod to ZipCar's success in signing up young drivers, the Toyota Prius and the Mini Cooper will be among the first 35 cars that Connect by Hertz will offer in New York."

Mike Senackerib, senior vice president for marketing at Hertz, said in the report that Hertz will expand the number of cars and locations next year, and open in 20 additional American cities and 20 more overseas.