Ford Moves Toward Electric Scooters
Source：National Public Radio
From：Taiwan Trade Center Chicago
Update Time：2019/01/19
Ford Motors is purchasing electric scooter company Spin. The deal was announced last week and makes Ford the first automaker to invest in bike or scooter sharing. Scooter sharing is becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation in cities. Customers can download the app which allows them to unlock electric scooters, which they can then ride and leave at their destination. A electric scooter rental typically costs $1 to begin and an additional 15cents per mile, electric scooters max speed is 15mph. Spin is one of the smaller scooter companies operating today, it is currently only in 14 markets and is working to expand into 100 markets over the next 18 months. Ford’s purchase of Spin comes at a time when auto companies are looking to build so called mobility portfolios, as consumers purchase fewer cars auto companies are finding new ways to continue to be a part of how they get around. Electric scooters are particularly attractive as they tap into the market of the 46% of Americans who travel 3miles or less with their vehicles. Electric scooter ride share allows Ford to collect data on customers who travel short distances and learn more about their habits.
Source ： https://www.npr.org