Mobilize is a business unit of the French car manufacturer Renault established in 2021 and it is mainly specialized in mobility-related services.[2] It focuses on subscription services, leasing, loans, data, and energy management, offering Mobilize-badged vehicles for car sharing and delivery services.[3]
Mobilize is one of the four brands of the Renault Group, along with Renault, Dacia and Alpine.
Mobilize is available in France and Germany,[4] Spain,[5] United Kingdom, and Morocco.[6]
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.[7]
History
The Mobilize business unit was created in January 2021 as part of a wider overhauling of Renault operations.[8] The new unit was set to develop car sharing and other niche businesses.[9] 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,[10] Mobilize specializes in mobility services:[11][12] energy services,[2] 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.[4]
In August 2023, Mobilize acquired shares in Select Car Leasing, a UK-based leasing company.[21][22][23]
Operations
Mobilize provides cars 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)[24] and Mobilize Beyond Automotive (other activities).[26]
List of services
Zity by Mobilize: car sharing service in Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Milan.[27]
Mobilize Duo at Auto Zurich 2024Mobilize Bento at IAA Transportation 2024
On 10 October 2022, Mobilize presented a set of concepts alongside the production version of the Duo and Bento models.[30][31]
Mobilize Duo is regarded as the new Twizy.[32][33][34] This model is available in two versions, 45 and 80,[35] and it can carry two people.[36]
Mobilize Bento is the utility version of Mobilize Duo.[37] The launch of these two vehicles, Mobilize Bento and Mobilize Duo, is scheduled for 2024.[38]
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 1,370mm (54in) long, 900mm (35in) wide and 1,750mm (69in) 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.[39] A prototype of Hippo was presented was first presented at the Viva Tech in 2021.[40]
Services
Mobilize Power Solutions
Formerly known as Elexent, Mobilize Power Solutions is the entity for electric recharging.[41] The service is available in 11 countries.[42]
Mobilize Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) Technology
In June 2023, Mobilize announced its Powerbox bidirectional charging station as part of the launch of the new Renault 5 electric.[43] In 2024, the Renault 5 with Mobilize V2G technology will offer to save money by plugging in the car.[44] The two-way system will transform the electric city car into an energy supplier.[44]
With its V2G service, Mobilize functions as an energy supplier.[45] The Mobilize V2G service saves money on home recharging and on the overall electricity bill, it also allows the electricity to be sold on the market.[46]
Mobilize Fast Charge
In Octobre 2022, Mobilize announced its plans for a European fast-charging network by 2024.[47]
Rental
Mobilize specializes in flexible rental formulas.[7] À la carte rental is one of the options available.[7]
Mobilize Share
Mobilize Share is Mobilize's car-sharing service, the first of its kind in france.[48][49]
Zity
Zity is Mobilize's car-sharing subsidiary. In 2022, its sales amounted to 12 million euros.[50]
Data-processing
Supported by Renault, Software Factory and other partners, Mobilize will also work to develop cutting-edge algorithms and data processing software for better forecasting of user demand and better vehicle dispatching.[51]
Financial services
Mobilize Financial Services is Mobilize's unit devoted to financial services, which is already present worldwide. Among other things, it operates in partnership with Nissan.[52] In March 2023, Mitsubishi chose Renault as its sole provider of financing services.[53][54] Among the brands of Mobilize Financial Services, there is the long-term leasing service, Mobilize Lease&Co.[55]
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