September - 2017

Automakers accelerate their interest in startups

When it comes to startup investment, carmakers are all over the road. Over the past two years, we’ve seen a massive spike in venture funding by major auto manufacturers. Deal counts are up, more automakers are investing and more big rounds are getting done. However, an analysis of Crunchbase funding data for the 20 largest global automakers finds wide variance in investment sizes, timing and strategic focus. Some automakers have focused on unicorns and mega-rounds, while othe

Audi launches car sharing for high-end customers in China

Automakers and brands have begun to look outside the traditional ownership model to expand their business opportunities, and one of the more popular areas of expansion include car sharing services. Audi had previously waded into car sharing with its Audi On Demand service, and now, it's launched a high-end version in Beijing, China, called Audi On Demand+. Like Audi On Demand, which launched as a trial service two years ago in San Francisco, California, the new On Demand+ ope

Carrot Offers Assistance in Mexico City

Message from: Jimena Pardo / Direction General Carrot Hola: Espero tu y tu familia se encuentren bien. Nos hemos visto afectados por el sismo de ayer, tenemos nuestra operación disponible unicamente por teléfono al 12-09-15-00. Todos las unidades están disponibles sin costo para poder ayudar. Sí las necesitas ¡Llámanos! Si conoces algún centro de acopio que necesite ayuda para movilizar víveres, por favor avísanos. Nuestra flotilla y personal está disponible para pasar por el

Zipcar Launches Carsharing Service in Iceland

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Sept. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network, today announced the launch of its car sharing service in Reykjavik, Iceland. This marks the first major city launch for the brand in the Nordic countries. Despite Iceland having the eighth highest level of car ownership per capita in the world (with a car for every 1.5 inhabitants) according to the World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015, the Ic

Car-sharing part of road map for the future says GM CEO Mary Barra

GM’s sees future in autonomous & electrified vehicles, connectivity and sharing General Motors (GM) seeks to ease the commuting woes experienced not only by Filipinos but also by citizens of every major metropolis around the world by addressing the challenge of reducing ‘crashes, pollution and congestion’. In a recently concluded press conference in Shanghai, China, Chairman and CEO Mary Barra disclosed the automaker’s road map for the future of personal mobility – electrific

Liberty Mutual’s Venture Capital Unit Backs Car-Sharing Startup

Liberty Mutual’s venture arm is among the investors backing the new $92 million funding round for Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace. Dan Robinson, managing director of Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures, said he sees solid business opportunities within Turo’s concept. “The sharing economy has been a focal point for the fund, and Liberty Mutual is eager to engage with Turo to explore how we can provide innovative insurance solutions for their customers and our policy

Zipcar launch first Latin America franchise with Rent Centric

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Sept. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network, today announced the launch of its service in Costa Rica. This marks the first launch in Latin America for the brand. Zipcar’s expansion to Costa Rica brings car sharing to even more consumers who want access to a car without the cost and hassle of ownership. Twenty Zipcars are now available for reservation by the hour or by the day in easily accessible locations throughou

Daimler invests $92M in P2P Leader Turo

Daimler Mobility Services has participated as lead investor in a financing round of U.S. peer-to-peer carsharing market leader At the same time, Daimler peer-to-peer carsharing activities under the Croove brand will be combined with Turo Expertise and experience of Croove will serve as the basis for Turo to enter the German market within the next year Investment in Turo is a further step in the implementation of the Daimler CASE themes STUTTGART, Germany and SAN FRANCISCO, Se

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch ride-sharing rival to Uber in London

Mercedes-Benz teams up with a US startup to enter the ride-sharing market across a number fo European cities. Customised Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class vans are planned to be used as a ride-hailing alternative in London Daimler will start ride-sharing shuttles in London later this year, expanding its cooperation with US startup Via Transportation, whose on-demand service racks up 1 million rides a month across New York, Chicago and Washington. The mobile app-based pick-up ser