General Motors Teams with Lyft for Self-Driving Bolt Taxi
Subscribe To Read This InsightBy Susan Beardslee | 2Q 2016 | IN-4092
The OEM Empire Strikes Back |
NEWS |
General Motors (GM) continues to invest in advanced automotive technology and strategic industry partnerships. Their upcoming Chevy Bolt will soundly beat the Telsa 3 to market in extended range EV’s. GM invested $500 million in Lyft, which it is now leveraging, along with the acquisition of Cruise Automation for a reported $1 billion+ price tag, to bring self-driving Bolt taxis to market using Lyft’s reach and app.
This can be considered a response to the threat of not only Tesla, but Google (who just announced a partnership with FCA) and potentially Apple. It pits Silicon Valley fanboys and girls vs. car-centric Detroit. The companies are creating a prototype app to allow Lyft customers in the unnamed location to select if they want an autonomous Bolt. Initial rides will include a driver prepared to take over, as well as access to GM's OnStar as a contingency.
