MaaS(Mobility-as-a-Service) describes a change from personally-owned vehicles and towards solutions that are utilized as services. The entire process is made possible by uniting the services from both private and public transportation providers through a connected platform that creates and handles different trips that users pay for using a single account. The users have the option of paying a monthly fee or per-trip for a specified distance.
Let’s take a look at how different car manufacturers are using this service to make profits.
Daimler AG Purchasing RideScout
After the mobility software application RideScout was presented to the market in November 2013, Daimler AG quickly developed an interest in the project the following summer. By September, Daimler made it public that it had purchased the firm for a confidential price. Similar to Daimler’s moovel mobile application, RideScout puts bikes, taxis, trains, buses, and car-sharing luxury it’s possible at the fingertips of public users. The services are available for users aiming to travel to destinations in 69 cities in Canada and the U.S.
RideScout’s purpose matched well with Daimler’s. Remember that Daimler is the parent of Mercedes-Benz. The company aims to be a leading giant in the mobility sector with internal services of its own. The company being soquick to buy RideScout exhibits how serious some automakers are taking mobility services. To prove that there is plenty of profit to be made from this sector, Daimler’s mobility arm, moovel GmbH, was expecting 112 million USD in 2014.
The methods used by interested car manufacturers aiming for a spot in this evolving world of mobility are varying. Nonetheless, one thing is evident: they identify real worth. Companies involved in the business can seek the services of fleet management companies that have experience in monitoring vehicles and improving security. By improving security, vehicle manufacturers minimize their chances of loss due to vehicle mishandling or even theft. Fleet management companies have made their services much easier to access through online domains like eyeride.io.
Making money from mobility services will need dexterity from car manufacturers that have originally identified themselves as metal movers. Analysts go on to add that vehicle firms will need to rebrand themselves as providers of mobility services who can cater to all consumer needs, whether it is the purchase or rental of cars.
Strategies Used by Different Automakers
Daimler AG is using an all-of-the-above alternating approach with the RideScout and moovel mobile apps. The firm’s expanding mobility résumé features Car2Go and mytaxi, a taxi booking software app that they also acquired. Ford has been performing mobility-linked tests around the world while boosting artistry in Detroit for business people alongside supplier Magna International, Verizon Telematic, and Techstars.
GM is utilizing Enterprise CarShare in the promotion of its cost-friendly Chevrolet in an exclusive limited program. The exclusivity agreement began in 2015. Honda teamed up with car-sharing firm Zipcar. This Partnership is an excellent branding opportunity for Honda.
Embracing Car Sharing
Car manufacturers are using this rapidly-growing service to their benefit by bringing products to consumers. Creating favorable impressions may be paving the way to more transactions. Ford is utilizing car-sharing so that its cars are more accessible to college students. The firm has been Zipcar’s largest campus car partner since forming a partnership. Chevrolet views its program with Enterprise CarShare asan alternative to make encroachments in a market that would profit from improvements.