>Austin CarShare was one of the very first programs in Texas, but about a month and a half ago it was forced to close up shop. It helped, according to Jude Galligan of downtownaustinblog.org, to create a market for car-sharing in central Texas. A market that will not go to waste.
Car2go started a pilot program in Austin back in 2009 (partly because of Austin CarShare). When it opened to the public in 2010 it had greater financial backing, more locations, and a critical mass of cars and users, and Austin CarShare could not compete.
On the bright side car2go seems like a new and flexible type of car-sharing program. It will be worth watching to see how the company fares in the two locations it currently operates (Ulm Germany, and Austin Texas).