General Motors Debuts US Car-Sharing Program in NYC

© General Motors

DURAND, Mich. –– A U.S. debut of General Motors’ car-sharing program, "Let's Drive NYC," has been in the talks for a while now, alongside disclosures that the automaker plans to move forward with vehicle connectivity and autonomous vehicle technology.

“Customers want options on how to move from Point A to Point B that provide flexibility and personalization,” said GM President Dan Ammann. “Let’s Drive NYC is just one part of GM’s global urban mobility strategy. We view evolving consumer preferences, such as car-sharing, as real business opportunities, where we can quickly build on our existing capabilities such as OnStar connectivity to very effectively meet customer needs.”

GM’s “Let’s Drive NYC” car-sharing program will make an inaugural appearance in New York City for residents of The Ritz Plaza, a luxury apartment building at Times Square. These affluent residents will have an additional mode of transportation added to their list of options that include New York's subway system, taxis, biking, and walking.

“When GM approached us with their car-sharing program, we were excited to incorporate this innovative service to further enhance our residents’ lifestyle,” said Ofer Yardeni, chairman and CEO of Stonehenge, a leader in community-building events within the Manhattan residential market. “Owning a vehicle in New York City is expensive and inconvenient. GM’s Let’s Drive NYC car-sharing program delivers a valuable and sought-after amenity, and residents of The Ritz Plaza are taking full advantage of it.”

The aforementioned transportation choices are common in America’s large cities, chiefly New York, and for a good reason. Owning and driving a vehicle in a city of millions is expensive and nearly unfeasible due to frequent gridlock and pedestrians. However, the debut of GM’s car-sharing program could turn driving into a practical transportation option.

Sharing vehicles with other drivers is convenient for city dwellers because it allows them to take advantage of that transportation without having to worry about paying for garage space, which can be pricy in large cities where space is limited and valuable.

GM developed a mobile app that residents use to reserve a vehicle and find parking in one of the 200 garages in Manhattan managed by Icon Parking Systems. Right now the fleet consists of eight Chevrolet Trax small SUVs and two Chevrolet Equinox compact SUVs.

Residents are given electronic credits good for three hours of rental per month. When they use up their three hours they pay $10 per hour or $75 for a 24-hour reservation. The car-sharing programs prices might seem steep, but if you consider that residents won’t be driving every day “Let’s Drive NYC” should prove to save them money over time.

In the past, GM has used pilot programs similar to “Let’s Drive NYC,” including a partnership with Google in 2014 when it piloted a commuter ride-sharing service using Chevrolet Spark EVs and a car-sharing program in Toronto for university students. Now the automaker seems confident in its decision to offer this convenience to people living in dense urban places.

A major tenet of GM’s philosophy that we admire at our Chevrolet dealer near Flint, MI, is its careful reasoning. It may seem that GM has been slow to produce ideas concerning new connectivity and autonomous driving technology, or transportation options like car-sharing, but the reality is the automaker is ensuring it plays its cards right for the sake of its customers. You can see the amount of consideration GM has for its drivers simply by taking one of our new Chevy cars or new Chevy trucks for a test-drive. Stop by sometime to see for yourself.

Located at 9009 East Lansing Road Durand, MI 48429, Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand is revolutionizing the car buying experience. We provide all the transparency and customer service you need, while simultaneously making your purchase experience fun! Learn more about Hank Graff Chevrolet Durand, or for any questions contact us at (989) 288-2657 or visit our website at www.GraffChevyDurand.com!

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