Skip to main content

BMW ponders expanding its DriveNow car-sharing program by 25 cities

bmw ponders expanding drivenow car sharing program 25 cities
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Some motoring enthusiasts see car sharing as the end of the car industry as we know it. While that might be true, it doesn’t seem to be deterring some automakers – specifically BMW.

The most Bavarian of automakers is reportedly considering expanding its existing car-sharing program – DriveNow – by 25 cities worldwide. The move would greatly expand its already-large program, which presently serves 240,000 customers.

Recommended Videos

Presently, BMW offers cars for share in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Dusseldorf and San Francisco. DriveNow is being considered for 10 to 15 new cities in Europe and 10 more Stateside.

“[DriveNow] offers very good opportunities for us to attract new customers,” Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW board member in charge of DriveNow told Bloomberg.

What new customers does BMW want to court with an expanded DriveNow program? Specifically, Bimmer has its eyes set on the young crowd. Funny, Audi has the same aspirations.

Would you be willing to pay to share a BMW 1 Series in your city? Tell us in the comments.

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Car2Go car-sharing service shutting down in the U.S. after reality check
daimler car2go car sharing benefits

Those who predicted and hoped shared autonomous cars would rule the roads by 2020 are in for a serious reality check. Driverless technology is much farther away than expected, and one of the largest car-sharing programs, Share Now, announced it will end its operations in North America and select international cities in early 2020 due to low adoption rates.

We should have seen this coming when Car2Go, a division of Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler, surprisingly merged with Drive Now, a comparable program created by arch-nemesis BMW, to become Share Now. It's rarely a good sign when rivals set aside their differences and hold hands. The jointly-owned firm explained it will cease operations in the United States and Canada on February 29, 2020, and it is not planning on coming back for the time being.

Read more
BMW makes Apple CarPlay free across its entire range of models
bmw will make apple carplay free instead of charging an annual fee p90230491 highres 06 201

Many criticized BMW's unusual decision to charge its customers an annual subscription fee to use Apple CarPlay. While some feared this would become the norm across the industry, it's turning out to be a short-lived exception to the rule. Digital Trends has learned that the German company is making the feature free across its range of models starting immediately.

"BMW is always looking to satisfy our customers’ needs, and this policy change is intended to provide them with a better ownership experience," a company spokesperson told Digital Trends.

Read more
Hyundai 2025 Ioniq 5 is under $44,000, with more range and NACS port
hyundai ioniq 5 44000 nacs 64149 large631652025ioniq5xrt

Hyundai is on a roll. In October, the South Korean manufacturer posted its best U.S. sales ever, largely driven by sales of its popular Ioniq 5 electric SUV.

Now, all eyes are on the Ioniq 5’s 2025 model, which is set to become available at dealerships before year-end. As Digital Trends previously reported, the crossover model adds a more rugged-looking trim level called XRT and provides additional driving range as well as new charging options.

Read more