Despite the negative impact on vehicle sales, shared mobility offers robust opportunities to automakers
Although the shared mobility industry remains nascent, it has already left a significant mark on the automotive companies. Companies are working their way to compete with the strong shared mobility business that is likely to impact the overall vehicle sales. However, the aspect of shared mobility is not just a negative influencer, but also an opportunity creator for a number of automobile companies. Leading automobile manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and other mobility players are, therefore, focusing on the opportunities associated with shared mobility and are positioning themselves for the shared mobility landscape.
Toyota to Unbundle Mobility with Key Initiatives
The Japan-based multinational automotive manufacturer, Toyota has captured significant hold over the automotive industry with a constant focus on innovation, technological advancements, and consumer satisfaction. Apart from its continual focus on the automobiles, the company has also initiated efforts towards associated businesses. The company recently invested $100 million in startup firms of robotics and autonomous vehicles. With these investments, the company expands itself beyond the automotive industry exploring marine and airways and contributes to its future mission. This is shifting the focus of the company from car ownership to shared mobility, ride-hailing, autonomous driving, and micromobility.
Daimler and BMW to Collaborate on Shared Mobility Services
Long been business adversaries, BMW and Daimler are now working in tandem to unfold the opportunities held by the shared mobility industry. The collaboration between the two is aimed at challenging the new high-level competitors Waymo and Uber with the introduction of five mobility services joint ventures. As a result of this collaboration, the two companies are were ready to set their new projects in action which include car-sharing and ride-sharing, along with electric vehicle charging.
The joint venture is backed by a combined investment of nearly $1.13 billion, as a part of which, Daimler would merge its Car2Go car-sharing service with BMW’s assortment of mobility services operations. Ahead of this, the new program would be centered at five areas including ride-sharing service, electric vehicle charging network, expanded car-sharing applications fetch and book parking spaces, and transportation and route management service based on smartphones.
Volkswagen to Consider Car-sharing Schemes
Companies operating in the automotive sector are expected to align themselves with the emerging market trends and key developments witnessed across the market. The wave of electric mobility is one such market trend that is put to action by nearly all market players. In addition, shared mobility is also gaining major momentum across the globe, making it crucial for automakers to focus on these aspects while working their way towards the top.
Volkswagen recently announced its new all-electric car-sharing initiative—“We Share” set to launch in Berlin. The initiative targeted consumers who do not own vehicles, thereby offering a free-floating car-sharing scheme to them. The objection of introducing this initiative is to ensure spontaneous availability of electric cars for its customers at any point in time.
The company further states that at an advanced stage, the “We Share” initiative would add small-sized vehicles as micromobility solutions to its electric car fleet. Post the Berlin launch, “We Share” is scheduled for expansion in major German cities. Moreover, the company plans to enter the European market and certain North American cities from 2020, the primary focus remaining on cities with a population of more than a million.
Tesla Unveiled its ‘Self-driven’ Ride Sharing Plan
Recognized for its expanding expertise in electric vehicles, Tesla, Inc. is turning to more profitable business avenues. The company has made significant progress in the self-driving cars division, where the company is now going a step forward by exploring the business ride-sharing network. In light of this, the company revealed its new plan—‘Robotaxi’ for a self-driving ride-sharing network with the help of its electric vehicles which would be activated sooner next year along with an over-the-air software update.