Telematics provider GM’s OnStar has launched today a partnership with peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace RelayRides, where OnStar subscribers can easily rent their car during idle time.
RelayRides' renters can unlock reserved OnStar-enabled cars simply by using their smart phones.
RelayRides is the first third-party developer to integrate with GM OnStar's proprietary application program interface (API) that will be available to other developers later this summer.
"General Motors, through OnStar, and RelayRides have joined forces to create an entirely new mobility solution for U.S. drivers interested in more affordable, sustainable and collaborative automobile options," said Nick Pudar vice president OnStar Strategy and New Business Development. "Our exclusive relationship with RelayRides provides an exciting new choice: the first automobiles to run on collaborative consumption."
RelayRides' renters can unlock reserved OnStar-enabled cars simply by using their smart phones.
RelayRides is the first third-party developer to integrate with GM OnStar's proprietary application program interface (API) that will be available to other developers later this summer.
"General Motors, through OnStar, and RelayRides have joined forces to create an entirely new mobility solution for U.S. drivers interested in more affordable, sustainable and collaborative automobile options," said Nick Pudar vice president OnStar Strategy and New Business Development. "Our exclusive relationship with RelayRides provides an exciting new choice: the first automobiles to run on collaborative consumption."
RelayRides has raised more than $13 million in venture capital funding from investors including - not surprisingly - General Motors Ventures, but also Google Ventures, August Capital, and Shasta Ventures.
This is a bold move for OnStar that gets out of its safety/security traditional line of business. It is also a great opportunity for RelayRide that can access a pool of million of connected cars without spending a dime to connect these cars while leveraging OnStar brand.
Indeed, in its current business model RelayRide installs a blakbox in the cars at no cost to the owners - and pays for insurance - in exchange of 40% of what renters pay.
According to Frost & Sullivan research (2010), carsharing membership is expected to reach 4.4 million in North America and 5.5 million in Europe by 2016. Thus far RelayRide has not shared information about how many car owners and renters are using its service.
This is a bold move for OnStar that gets out of its safety/security traditional line of business. It is also a great opportunity for RelayRide that can access a pool of million of connected cars without spending a dime to connect these cars while leveraging OnStar brand.
Indeed, in its current business model RelayRide installs a blakbox in the cars at no cost to the owners - and pays for insurance - in exchange of 40% of what renters pay.
According to Frost & Sullivan research (2010), carsharing membership is expected to reach 4.4 million in North America and 5.5 million in Europe by 2016. Thus far RelayRide has not shared information about how many car owners and renters are using its service.
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