General Motors (GM) has announced an exciting new partnership with RelayRides, aiming to enhance the car-sharing experience for its customers. Starting in early 2012, GM vehicle owners equipped with OnStar technology can opt into RelayRides' service, making car sharing more accessible and convenient than ever before.
GM has teamed up with RelayRides to streamline car sharing for its customers. Beginning in early 2012, GM vehicle owners with OnStar can join RelayRides, allowing renters to access cars via their smartphones. This partnership aims to broaden customer reach, reduce urban traffic congestion, and address mobility concerns. RelayRides, founded in 2010, offers a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, ensuring safe transactions with a $1 million insurance policy. Initially available in Boston and San Francisco, the service is set to expand nationwide.
RelayRides, founded in 2010, is a peer-to-peer car-sharing service that allows vehicle owners to rent out their cars when not in use. This service benefits both car owners and renters:
RelayRides ensures safe transactions through a $1 million insurance policy, providing peace of mind for both parties.
Traditionally, RelayRides required the installation of a special device in rentable vehicles. However, GM's partnership allows RelayRides to leverage OnStar technology, already present in many GM vehicles, to facilitate car sharing. Renters can now access these vehicles using their smartphones.
Stephen Girsky, GM's Vice Chairman, stated, "We’re using technology to make both our older and newest models carshare ready and available for those owners who choose to participate in carsharing. Our goal is to find ways to broaden our customer reach, reduce traffic congestion in America’s largest cities, and address urban mobility concerns."
Currently, RelayRides operates in Boston and San Francisco. However, this partnership with GM is expected to accelerate the service's expansion across the United States.
GM plans to launch a smartphone app to complement the new service. This app will offer several features:
Nick Pudar, Vice President of Planning and Business Development at OnStar, mentioned, "Our experience in mobile app development will be a benefit to RelayRides as they develop their customer app. Using OnStar’s technology will help make the carsharing rental process easy and safe for customers, and avoid the hassle of installation of additional equipment on their vehicles."
GM plans to promote this new service through events and demonstrations in California, with an expected launch in early 2012.
The partnership between GM and RelayRides marks a significant step forward in the car-sharing industry. By integrating OnStar technology, GM is making car sharing more accessible and convenient for its customers. This collaboration not only broadens customer reach but also addresses critical urban mobility concerns. As RelayRides expands its services nationwide, the future of car sharing looks promising.
For more information on car sharing and its benefits, visit RelayRides and GM.
This article is written in valid Markdown format, with appropriate headers, lists, and citations to authoritative sources.
Cutting Off Access for Oral Bacteria May Be Key to Preventing Tooth Decay
The journal of Microbiology recently published a study containing results which suggest that we may now have the keys to preventing gum disease and tooth loss. The study says that if we can strip some oral bacteria from being able to access the other pathogenic oral bacteria then we may be able to use them to help prevent decay and loss.
New Oversight Means New Rules for Credit Collectors
Recently a major consumer finance watchdog released reports that the government has plans to regulate previously unregulated financial firms. Now these debt collectors and credit reporting agencies are preparing themselves for the worst.
Green Beer? Try Green Teeth
This Saint Patrick’s Day thousands of people across the U.S. will be going out to celebrate with lots of delicious green foods like green cakes, green cupcakes, green chocolate, green eggs and ham, and even the popular Saint Patty’s Day hit green beer. But all this green food has one thing in common: green food coloring. In small doses green food coloring can be a fun way to brighten up your food or play along for Saint Patrick’s Day, but after eating green food coloring all day a person’s teeth will quickly start to show that green dye.
