BlaBlaCar is France’s only unicorn, and it’s part ridesharing app part carpooling platform

By Lulu Chang Published November 12, 2015

Uttering the word “Uber” in France may be almost as offensive as speaking English, but another ridesharing app has won over French hearts (or at least, French investors). Meet BlaBlaCar, an app that’s more carpooling than taxi service. With no contract workers or employed drivers, BlaBlaCar works by connecting people who are already trying to get from Point A to Point B — drivers simply charge their fellow riders a small fee for gas and drop them off along the way to their final destination. And best of all, you choose your drivers or fellow riders based on things like how much they talk, whether they smoke, or what music they want to listen to.

This unusual 21st century hitchhiker model is a hit among its 20 million members across 19 countries who have clearly decided that BlaBlaCar is a worthwhile alternative to driving alone along long stretches of road. And with preferences that rank on a scale from “bla” to “bla bla” to “bla bla bla” in terms of conversation level and a “ladies only” choice for women who’d rather keep testosterone out of their morning commute, it’s no wonder that BlaBlaCar has proven wildly successful in its nine years of existence.

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So successful, in fact, that its $1.6 billion valuation makes it the only unicorn in France (where unicorns are not mythical horned horses, but rather startups with an estimated worth of more than $1 billion). And because BlaBlaCar is technically a platform that promotes ridesharing and not a service in and of itself, it doesn’t have to deal with any of the regulatory nightmares that have almost kicked Uber out of much of Europe.

Sorry Uber, you’re not ‘in’ in Germany anymore

But in terms of cost effectiveness, BlaBlaCar may not be your best option. The service isn’t exactly on-demand — drivers will publish their routes about two to three days before they actually make their trip, and rides run passengers 10 cents a mile. With the average BlaBla ride clocking in about 200 miles, the cost to the riders stands at about $20, while drivers can defray some of cost of gas (after BlaBlaCar takes a 10 to 15 percent cut).

And at the end of the day, with the convenience of public transportation, driving often seems like a less attractive option. As one France-based Digital Trends writer noted, “I booked a train ticket from Aix to Lyon earlier today for ten euros. I just looked at BlaBlaCar and the prices range from 15-20 euros for a trip that takes at least twice as long.”

While you won’t have a chance to try out BlaBlaCar in the U.S. anytime soon, if you’re up for a long road trip the next time you’re overseas, you may want to consider this carpooling option. Who knows, it may be a good way to meet new friends.

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Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

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Archer’s flying taxis head to LA for the 2028 Olympics

archer air taxi la28 inglewood aerial a final

Remember the buzz about flying taxis zipping through Paris for the 2024 Olympics? That sci-fi fantasy never got off the ground —Germany’s Volocopter dream was denied certification, leaving fans staring at the same old ground traffic. But now, the skies are opening again for a second shot at glory—this time over Los Angeles.
Archer Aviation, the California-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company, has been named the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry four passengers, will be whisking around VIPs, fans, and stakeholders between venues and key locations like LAX, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and even Orange County. Think 10-20 minute flights that skip the infamous LA gridlock and land you right where the action is—on the roof, basically.
“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America. There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation.
And Midnight isn’t just a pretty rotor. It’s a whisper-quiet, emission-light aircraft with 12 rotors and a redundant, airline-level safety design.
What’s more, Archer and LA28 are working together to electrify vertiport hubs around the city—think futuristic sky stations—to serve not only Games-time needs but also to plant seeds for a post-Olympic air mobility network.
The air mobility market has been fast developing over the past few years, featuring the likes of Hyundai partnership with China’s XPeng HT Aero and Toyota's backing of Joby Aviation, a U.S. venture. Joby bought Uber Elevate in 2020, hoping to someday pair its air taxis with Uber’s ride-hailing app.
Archer, for its part, has been busy building a strategic partnership with United Airlines, which has already placed orders for the aircraft and is helping with logistics to integrate air taxis into airport-to-downtown travel. More than a demo for the cameras, the LA28 partnership will showcase urban air travel for real-world daily use, starting with one of the most high-profile events on Earth.
After raising false hopes in Paris, the air taxi dream is aiming for liftoff in LA—and this time, it might just stick the landing.

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Electric Muscle Misfire? Dodge Pulls Charger Daytona R/T from 2026 Lineup

electric muscle misfire dodge pulls charger daytona r t from 2026 lineup all new

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T, once hailed as the vanguard of Dodge’s electric muscle car future, is being dropped for the 2026 model year.
According to a report from MoparInsiders, the Scat Pack variant will now lead the Daytona lineup, marking a significant pivot in Stellantis’ EV strategy.
Originally introduced with bold ambitions, the Charger Daytona R/T was designed to offer an accessible gateway into electric performance. With its 456-horsepower dual-motor setup and optional 509-horsepower Direct Connection stage kit, it seemed poised to excite both muscle car fans and EV newcomers. However, market realities have painted a different picture.
Industry and media reports highlight the core issue: buyers just weren’t biting. Despite its impressive specs and nostalgic design cues, the R/T struggled to justify its price tag, starting near $60,000. At that level, buyers expected either more performance or more premium features. Without strong sales traction, Dodge made the tough call to shelve the R/T variant for 2026, opting instead to focus on trims that resonate better with customers.
As we reported in December, the Charger EV was launched with an off-beat marketing message to “save the planet from self-driving sleep pods.” The goal was to retain Dodge’s brand identity—muscle, aggression, and driver engagement—even in the electric era. The Charger Daytona R/T was supposed to be the perfect balance of price and performance, but it seems the target audience wasn’t ready to make that leap at that price.
Importantly, this doesn’t spell the end of the Charger Daytona altogether. Higher-performance models like the Scat Pack and Banshee are still in the pipeline and, interestingly, are being adjusted for price competitiveness. Several trims are reportedly seeing price cuts, suggesting Stellantis is serious about making these vehicles more appealing and accessible.
For enthusiasts, the takeaway is clear: the electric muscle car isn’t going anywhere, but automakers are still figuring out how to sell it. The demise of the R/T is less a failure and more a recalibration—proof that even the boldest plans need to stay flexible in the face of consumer demand.

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The all-electric Cadillac Vistiq makes the Escalade redundant

2026 Cadillac Vistiq front-quarter view.

Cadillac wants a full lineup of electric vehicles, and it’s nearly there. It has a standard crossover SUV (the Lyriq), an entry-level model (the Optiq), an electric version of its flagship Escalade (the Escalade IQ), and even a baroque showpiece (the Celestiq). But something’s missing.

For a modern luxury brand, a midsize three-row crossover is key. Customers for whom a Toyota Highlander is too déclassé need something to take their kids to lacrosse practice, but may not want something as big as an Escalade. This isn’t the most exciting design brief, and that’s reflected in the gasoline Cadillac XT6, which has always felt like nothing more than a placeholder. Its new electric counterpart, the 2026 Cadillac Vistiq, is anything but.