For a few years now, more and more developed countries are promoting the use of one car by as many people as possible, while also discouraging car ownership in crowded cities. This trend could lead to the decrease of sales in the car industry, which is why auto manufacturers are already starting to invest in transportation mobile apps.
Uber, BlaBlaCar and Lyft, competing with giant car makers
Apps such as Uber and Lyft have gained a lot of users by insisting on the idea that there is no need to own a personal car if you are only using it a couple of times a month. Since many cities are being suffocated by traffic, more and more people choose to travel by using Uber or BlaBlaCar services. In this context, giant car manufacturers are trying hard to enter this new market, so that the new trend does not affect their revenue. In fact, going for ride-sharing apps could actually increase their profit.
The startup Koolicar, one of Peugeot-Citroen’s main targets
Over one fifth of the total sum that Peugeot-Citroen plans to invest in ride-sharing apps will be directed to Koolicar. Present in 40 cities in France and having 60,000 users, this covoiturage (ride-sharing) mobile app makes it possible for more people to use the same car in different moments of the day. For example, one of the users can go shopping every afternoon by car, while another one may use it only in the morning, to take his children to school. You can read more about it here.
By 2020, the number of users of ride-sharing apps will be four times higher
According to PSA Peugeot-Citroen, the number of users of ride-sharing services will be four times higher in the next four years, in the biggest five European countries, especially since there, on some roads, only cars with at least two passengers can circulate.