GM has announced that its OnStar subscribers can now rent out their vehicles through the RelayRides marketplace.
GM has announced that its OnStar subscribers can now rent out their vehicles through the RelayRides marketplace. RelayRides’ renters can unlock reserved OnStar-enabled cars simply by using their smart phones. RelayRides is the first third-party developer to integrate with GM OnStar’s proprietary application program interface that will be available to other developers later this summer.
“General Motors, through OnStar, and RelayRides have joined forces to create an entirely new mobility solution for U.S. drivers interested in more affordable, sustainable and collaborative automobile options,” said Nick Pudar vice president OnStar Strategy and New Business Development. “Our exclusive relationship with RelayRides provides an exciting new choice: the first automobiles to run on collaborative consumption.”
Through OnStar’s proprietary API, RelayRides developers were given access to key vehicle-centric features such as location and remote door lock and unlock. This means renters can unlock the doors with their smart phone or by replying to a text message.
“Using the OnStar API to access GM vehicles empowers RelayRides to make car sharing even safer and more convenient,” said Shelby Clark, RelayRides founder and Chief Community Officer. “The sheer number of vehicles eligible for the program allows us to greatly expand across the U.S. and introduce the economic, environmental and community benefits of car sharing to regions that car sharing services have previously been unable to serve.”
Owners whose cars are not OnStar-enabled can still rent out their vehicles through the RelayRides’ marketplace by exchanging keys with the renter, or reactivating their OnStar subscriptions.
