BMW Group extends car-sharing programme and launches enhanced mobility services in Seattle under the new brand name “ReachNow”

Car-sharing 2.0 offers new and innovative services

BMW Group remains the driving force for individual mobility of
the future

Consistent implementation of the strategy NUMBER ONE  NEXT

 

Seattle. Under the new brand name “ReachNow”, BMW Group is launching
an enhanced car sharing service in Seattle (USA) today. The programme
is based on the successful business model currently operating in
Europe under the name “DriveNow”. Customers in the USA will soon be
able to choose further future-oriented services for bespoke individual
mobility. ReachNow is starting in Seattle with an initial fleet of 370
BMW and MINI vehicles. 20 percent of the entire fleet is made up of
BMW i3 electric vehicles. In addition to Seattle, ReachNow will be
expanded into further cities in the USA.

 

This move is in line with the company’s strategy
NUMBER ONE  NEXT, as outlined by BMW AG Management Board Chairman
Harald Krüger three weeks ago. The strategy states that the
development of customer-oriented mobility services will be one of the
company’s central business fields in the years ahead.

 

Peter Schwarzenbauer, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and
responsible for MINI, BMW Motorrad, Rolls-Royce, After Sales and
Mobility Services said at the ReachNow launch in Seattle: “We are
currently witnessing an extremely exciting period in the development
of the automotive industry. Our customers rightly expect uncomplicated
and fast solutions to their individual mobility needs, especially in
metropolitan regions. This is why we are supplementing our classic
business model with additional services that make life on the road
easier for people in big cities. I am pleased that with the
establishment of the ReachNow brand, we are able to offer our
customers in Seattle on-demand mobility” – mobility when
it’s needed, from one single source. With this service, we are
building up on Drive Now, our extremely successful European business
model, and bringing it up to a new level in the USA. Seattle is an
innovative, internationally-oriented city which makes it the perfect
location to launch these services.”

 

ReachNow customers in the USA will be able to book the first new
services in 2016:


  • Delivery service




    The desired vehicle is delivered to the
    customer. This service is particularly interesting to those who wish
    to transport luggage or live in areas with a limited number of
    parking spaces. Customers who wish to avoid walking to the car, will
    also find this service attractive. Furthermore, booking the service
    can ensure that a vehicle is readily available at the desired time.


  • Using the vehicle for a longer period




    ReachNow is merging car-sharing and
    conventional car rental services: During the journey, customers can
    spontaneously decide to keep their ReachNow vehicle for several
    days, without having to change the vehicle or going to a rental
    station. The most favourable rate will always be charged.

 


  • Car sharing for closed user groups



    A pool of ReachNow vehicles is made available
    exclusively to companies or residential complexes for example, and
    kept on their respective premises. Thanks to the possibility of
    long-term advance booking, availability is guaranteed.

 


  • Renting out your own car via ReachNow




    Customers may rent out their own car via
    ReachNow, for example if the owner is on vacation. This can reduce
    the cost of owning a car. Customers will have the option to restrict
    the availability of the vehicle to their social media contacts. The
    service is subject to certain specific technical prerequisites
    required of the vehicle.

     


  • Chauffeur Service – Car booking with a driver

    For those who do not wish to get behind the steering wheel
    ReachNow will later on also offer an option to book a car with a
    chauffeur. This allows to reach a destination even more relaxed.

 


Easy registration via smartphone



New members can register with ReachNow in a matter of
minutes using their smartphone camera, including driving licence check
and credit card deposit. There is no need to go to a branch office for
identification. ReachNow customers can drive away immediately. The
customer’s smartphone, or the customer card sent by post, serves as
the car key.

 

RideCell
as a system partner of ReachNow

ReachNow’s partner in the USA is RideCell. The San
Francisco-based technology start-up enterprise has been linked to BMW
i since 2014, via a minority share held by BMW i Ventures. RideCell is
now a system partner of ReachNow and responsible for the IT platform
and all customer interfaces dealing with reservations and invoicing.

 

DriveNow from Europe serves as a role model
Like
DriveNow in Europe, ReachNow uses what’s known as the free-floating
principle, with vehicles freely distributed over the urban area
instead of at fixed pick-up and return stations. Using the smartphone
app, members can view the locations of available vehicles, make a
reservation, be guided to the selected vehicle, open it without a key
and simply drive off. Use of the vehicle is charged by the minute.
When the vehicle is no longer needed, it can be left in a permitted
parking space anywhere within the urban area.

 


Payment Programme



All models are charged at a rate of 0.49 USD for each
minute the vehicle is used and a break of journey (parking) 0.30 USD
per minute. The vehicle fleet comprises the BMW i3 electric car, the
BMW 328i and the MINI Cooper. The one-off registration fee is 29 USD.
ReachNow is launching with an introductory offer of just 0.41 USD for
each minute the vehicle is used and registration is free of charge.
All prices are inclusive of insurance, petrol, electricity, parking
costs, taxes and fees.

 

DriveNow

DriveNow, the joint car sharing venture between the BMW Group
and Sixt SE, offers top-quality premium BMW and MINI-brand vehicles
for rental in European cities according to the free-floating
principle. The vehicles can be rented and returned anywhere within a
defined area of the city. Well over half a million registered
customers can locate and reserve the vehicles via the DriveNow app or
website and can use the service in any DriveNow city. DriveNow
operates a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles at locations in Munich,
Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Vienna, London, Copenhagen and
Stockholm. 20 percent of these are electric BMW i3s. Several
scientific studies show that a DriveNow vehicle is substitution for at
least three privately owned cars, meaning DriveNow is making a
contribution towards reducing traffic congestion in urban areas.

 

 

In case of queries please contact:


 

Almut Stollberg, Business and Finance Communications

Telephone: + 49 89 382-38770, Fax: + 49 89 382-24418


Almut.Stollberg@bmw.de

 

Wieland Brúch, Spokesperson BMW i

Telephone: +49-89-382-72652


Wieland.Bruch@bmw.de


 

Internet:

www.press.bmwgroup.com

E-mail:

presse@bmw.de

 

 

The BMW Group

 

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles
and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global
company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities
in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

 

In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and
nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the
financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues
amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group
had a workforce of 122,244 employees.

 

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

 

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview

Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com