Mobilize (marque)

Last updated
Mobilize
Company typeBrand, Business unit
Industry Automotive
PredecessorRenault's financing and mobility services operations
FoundedJanuary 2021
Area served
Europe
Products Cars
ServicesFinancing, car-related services
Parent Renault Group
Divisions
Website www.mobilize.com/en/

Mobilize is a business unit of the French car manufacturer Renault established in 2021 and it is mainly specialized in mobility-related services. [1] It focuses on subscription services, leasing, loans, data, and energy management, offering Mobilize-badged vehicles for car sharing and delivery services.

Contents

Mobilize is one of the four brands of the Renault Group, along with Renault, Dacia and Alpine.

Mobilize exists in France and Germany [2] as well as Spain. [3] It is also present is the United Kingdom and Morocco. [4]

Based on the premise that purchasing vehicles is no longer the preferred option of drivers, Mobilize aims to focus its offer on rental and car-sharing. [5]

History

The Mobilize business unit was created in January 2021 as part of a wider overhauling of Renault operations. [6] The new unit was set to develop car sharing and other niche businesses. [7] Mobilize was also aimed at meeting new mobility needs like car-sharing, last-mile delivery and on-demand transport. [8] Created as part of Luca de Meo’s Renaulution plan, [9] Mobilize specializes in mobility services: [10] [11] energy services, [12] driving-related data analysis (like the identification of accident-prone areas, road analysis,traffic and pollution data etc…), financing and car manufacturing. [13]

In January 2021, the unit launched the Mobilize vehicle marque by presenting Mobilize EZ-1 Prototype, a car-sharing prototype quadricycle. [14] Later that year, Renault integrated its Zity electric car-sharing business into Mobilize, renaming it Zity by Mobilize. [15] The first marketed car was the subscription-only Mobilize Limo (a rebadged JMEV Yi from JMEV), introduced in the second half of 2022. [16] [17] In May 2022, Renault's financial affiliate RCI Banque was made part of the unit, adopting the trade name Mobilize Financial Services. [18]

In October 2022, Mobilize announced Mobilize Fast Charge, its EV fast-charging network, with plans for 200 chargers, primarily at Renault dealerships near major roadways, by mid-2024. [19] [20]

In July 2023, Mobilize Financial Services subsidiary, Mobilize Lease&co announced its acquisition of two German companies belonging to the MeinAuto Group, Mobility Concept and MeinAuto. [2]

In August 2023, Mobilize acquired shares in Select Car Leasing, a UK-based leasing company. [21] [22] [23]

Operations

Mobilize provides cars and electric bikes for ride-sharing, taxi and delivery companies, while also offering car-related services (including subscriptions), financial services, [24] and charging services. The unit does not produce vehicles but it gets them from other entities. [25] The unit is divided into two major divisions: Mobilize Financial Services (car financing) [26] and Mobilize Beyond Automotive (other activities). [27]

List of services

Vehicles and services

Vehicles

Mobilize Limo

In November 2023, Renault announced that the electric sedan, originally intended for cabs and VTCs, would not be marketed. [30]

Mobilize Duo/ Bento

On 10 October 2022, Mobilize presented a set of concepts alongside the production version of the Duo and Bento models. [31] [32]

Mobilize Duo is regarded as the new Twizy. [33] [34] [35] This model is available in two versions, 45 and 80, [36] and it can carry two people. [37]

Mobilize Solo Concept

The idea for the Mobilize Solo came from Renault's design studio in India, starting from a skateboard with an umbrella, although the final concept is more like a chair in a cover. It measures 1,370 mm (54 in) long, 900 mm (35 in) wide and 1,750 mm (69 in) high. Inside there is room for one person in a semi-sitting position with a joystick instead of a steering wheel.

Mobilize Hippo

Mobilize Hippo is a utility vehicle for last-mile delivery. [38] A prototype of Hippo was prensented was first presented at the Viva Tech in 2021. [39]

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References

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