Lyft opens up Concierge, its ride-booking service for businesses, to all

Lyft today announced it’s expanding its Concierge program – the service that allows organizations to schedule rides for other people – to more business customers. First announced in 2016, the service was originally designed to help patients get to medical appointments, particularly in areas where they may not have a car of their own, like… Continue reading Lyft opens up Concierge, its ride-booking service for businesses, to all

Flat fare? Dodgy meter blocks rollout of London’s electric cabs

Automotive industry Flat fare? Dodgy meter blocks rollout of London’s electric cabs Zero-emission TX eCity cab can’t ply for hire until problem is sorted … and don’t get cabbies started on the lack of charging points Be lucky? Not likely. LEVC’s TX4 eCity has an iffy meter which makes trade as flat as January, the… Continue reading Flat fare? Dodgy meter blocks rollout of London’s electric cabs

Social Bicycles raises $10 million Series A round, rebrands as Jump Bikes

Social Bicycles, now officially known as Jump Bikes, has just closed a $10 million Series A round led by Menlo Ventures with participation from Sinewave Ventures, Esther Dyson and others. “At Menlo Ventures, our investment team supports entrepreneurs who are on a mission to change the world—including, how consumers move through it,” Menlo Ventures Managing… Continue reading Social Bicycles raises $10 million Series A round, rebrands as Jump Bikes

Spotlight on Singapore: Grab x Hyundai, ComfortDelGro x Uber & Volvo x NTU

Spotlight on Singapore: Grab x Hyundai, ComfortDelGro x Uber & Volvo x NTU Welcome to our weekly news highlights by Splyt, the place where you‘ll find the most relevant information about the urban mobility scene. Follow us for updated news, we post every Tuesday! Here is what happened last week: Hyundai Invests in Grab And yet, another automaker… Continue reading Spotlight on Singapore: Grab x Hyundai, ComfortDelGro x Uber & Volvo x NTU

One year old Pony.ai raises $112 million Series A to build autonomous car future

No that’s not a typo. Yes, that is larger than the median IPO fundraise last year. But few problems are as daunting as trying to build a fully autonomous car, particularly without the large resources of technology giants like Google, Uber, or Baidu behind you. So for Pony.ai, which was founded a little more than… Continue reading One year old Pony.ai raises $112 million Series A to build autonomous car future

Fiat Chrysler’s Marchionne: The Future of Cars Will Be Electric and Commoditized

Sergio Marchionne, one of the longest-serving CEOs in the auto industry, has a stark warning: Carmakers have less than a decade to reinvent themselves or risk being commoditized amid a seismic shift in how vehicles are powered, driven and purchased. Developing technologies like electrification, self-driving software and ride-sharing will alter consumers’ car-buying decisions within six… Continue reading Fiat Chrysler’s Marchionne: The Future of Cars Will Be Electric and Commoditized

Softbank invests €460M in Germany’s Auto1 car dealer platform

Softbank’s Vision Fund has made another investment: The Japanese conglomerate has agreed to invest €460M in Berlin-based online car dealer Auto1. Auto1 confirmed the investment in a press release put out today, saying the deal values the company at €2.9BN. Around half of the investment is being made through the issue of new shares, it added. The… Continue reading Softbank invests €460M in Germany’s Auto1 car dealer platform

Adapt or Die Is Marchionne’s Stark Farewell Message to Carmakers

Sergio Marchionne, one of the longest-serving CEOs in the automotive industry, has a blunt warning: Carmakers have less than a decade to reinvent themselves or risk being commoditized amid a seismic shift in how vehicles are powered, driven and purchased. Developing technologies like electrification, self-driving software and ride-sharing will alter consumers’ car-buying decisions within six… Continue reading Adapt or Die Is Marchionne’s Stark Farewell Message to Carmakers

No pedal to the metal in GM’s planned self-driving Cruise AV car – Times of India

DETROIT: General Motors Co is seeking U.S. government approval for a fully autonomous car – one without a steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator pedal – to enter the automaker’s first commercial ride-sharing fleet in 2019, executives said. For passengers who cannot open doors, the Cruise AV – a rebranded version of GM‘s Chevrolet Bolt… Continue reading No pedal to the metal in GM’s planned self-driving Cruise AV car – Times of India

Ford-backed self-driving car in crash that sent two to hospital

Ford exhibited self-driving delivery vehicle at CES 2018 this week – a modified Fusion, the same model involved in the Pittsburgh crash. Photograph: Jae C. Hong/AP Self-driving cars Ford-backed self-driving car in crash that sent two to hospital Modified Ford Fusion test car containing four occupants hit by van jumping red light in Pittsburgh, less… Continue reading Ford-backed self-driving car in crash that sent two to hospital