- Nissan is the first automaker to back innovative app; Hytch Rewards offers Tennesseans a new way to “hitch” a ride and collect cash rewards
- Hytch intends to improve traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions by enabling users to share rides using their personal vehicles
- The collaboration is inspired by the company’s Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision, incorporating new ways of thinking about how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan and Hytch have teamed up to offer a new way to get from “point A to point B” using cash rewards to promote carpooling. The goal is to reduce traffic and explore future mobility solutions.
Users of the new app called Hytch Rewards can connect with their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to share a ride. Once engaged, the technology tracks route details and pays drivers and passengers to ride together.
“Hytch Rewards isn’t your ordinary ride sharing app. Users will get rewarded for changing their behaviors through incentivized carpooling,” said Mark Cleveland, Hytch co-founder and CEO. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact Hytch will have on people and communities in Tennessee.”
Nissan sees the opportunity as a competitive advantage because the app will enable a better understanding of consumer behavior as more people embrace new forms of mobility, like carpooling, car sharing and ride sharing.
“Tennessee is home of Nissan’s North American headquarters and this partnership benefits the environment and our community,” said Dan Teeter, director, Vehicle Connected Services, Nissan North America, Inc. “We’re investing in new solutions as part of Nissan’s vision for the future of mobility.”
According to Hytch data, a six percent adoption rate in carpooling would eliminate 1,500 daily trips into Nashville. At proper speeds, that is the equivalent of adding an extra lane to the interstate at any given point.
Companies like Nissan, together with state and local governments, have pledged funds for the new project to influence transit behavior across Tennessee, with plans for future expansion.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility – building on global progress
As the world faces serious issues such as climate change, traffic congestion, road fatalities and increasing air pollution, Nissan is committed to addressing these challenges by making transportation safer, smarter and more enjoyable. The ultimate goal is achieving zero-emissions and zero-fatalities on the road with Nissan Intelligent Mobility as the roadmap to success.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility is not about removing humans from the driving experience. Instead, it is about building a better future for Nissan customers where cars are partners, and where drivers are more confident and more connected.
For more information on the complete Nissan vehicle lineup and available advanced safety, security and driver assistance technologies, please visit www.nissannews.com.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.
About Hytch
Hytch, LLC, a technology company based in Nashville, Tenn. co-founded by Mark A. Cleveland and Robert Hartline, has developed the first smartphone application created to incentivize positive transit behavior that reduces fuel emissions and alleviates traffic through sponsored cash rewards. Recipient of the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) INNOVATION Award and Nashville Technology Council Emerging Company of the Year Award for 2018, Hytch offers a free, easy-to-use platform for both iOS and Android devices. Shared rides are tracked, verified and rewarded through synchronized GPS tracking technology. When two or more people share a ride in any vehicle (carpool, ride-hailing service, public transit, etc), cash rewards are accumulated and calculated through the Hytch Rewards app. Companies, organizations, and agencies sponsor mile-by-mile cash incentives, connecting their brands to geo-defined consumer transit activity. To further the mission of reduced carbon emissions, Hytch provides carbon credit offsets for driver miles for a truly carbon neutral ride. Hytch is funded in part by a grant through the State of Tennessee and reward partners like Nissan. For more information about Hytch Rewards, visit hytchrewards.com.
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Contact
William A. Mattiace
Nissan Communications
615-879-8991
william.mattiace@nissan-usa.com