General Motors believes its Maven car-sharing business is having an unintended, yet positive, effect on the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Those who have been using Maven and its range of services not only choose the Bolt EV electric car more often than gasoline-powered cars, but passengers have taken a liking to it as well.
That’s according to Maven director of commercial mobility products Rachel Bhattacharya, who told Automotive News the Bolt EV is the number one choice among those using the Maven fleet to drive for ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft. Since its launch in January of 2016, Maven members have driven more than 125 million miles; two million of those miles have been all-electric and covered by a fleet of Bolt EVs.
“We’ve gotten the Bolts taken at a higher rate than any of our other vehicles,” Bhattacharya said. “It’s been noticed by so many passengers that there’s a potential sales channel there.”
As Bhattacharya noted, passengers have taken to the Bolt EV as well. She says the car has become an icebreaker for many Maven users who are shuttling riders around, and many ask about the car, its powertrain, and its features. Whether Maven does bolster itself as a sales channel, and not just an impromptu advertising arm, remains to be seen.
Comment
That is the best way to get new sales: people riding the car itself, or “butts in the seats”. As they realize how great this new EV is, they will be highly motivated to buy one. So to all you Chevy dealers: give free test rides!