Company type | Brand, Business unit |
---|---|
Industry | Automotive |
Predecessor | Renault's financing and mobility services operations |
Founded | January 2021 |
Area served | Europe |
Key people | Gianluca De Ficchy (CEO) [1] |
Products | Cars |
Services | Financing, car-related services |
Parent | Renault Group |
Divisions |
|
Website | www |
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.
Mobilize is one of the four brands of the Renault Group, along with Renault, Dacia and Alpine.
Mobilize exists in France and Germany[3] as well as Spain.[4] It is also present is the United Kingdom and Morocco.[5]
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.[6]
The Mobilize business unit was created in January 2021 as part of a wider overhauling of Renault operations.[7] The new unit was set to develop car sharing and other niche businesses.[8] Mobilize was also aimed at meeting new mobility needs like car-sharing, last-mile delivery and on-demand transport.[7] Created as part of Luca de Meo’s Renaulution plan,[9] Mobilize specializes in mobility services:[10][11] 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.[12]
In January 2021, the unit launched the Mobilize vehicle marque by presenting Mobilize EZ-1 Prototype, a car-sharing prototype quadricycle.[13] Later that year, Renault integrated its Zity electric car-sharing business into Mobilize, renaming it Zity by Mobilize.[14] The first marketed car was the subscription-only Mobilize Limo (a rebadged JMEV Yi from JMEV), introduced in the second half of 2022.[15][16] In May 2022, Renault's financial affiliate RCI Banque was made part of the unit, adopting the trade name Mobilize Financial Services.[17]
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.[18][19]
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.[3]
In August 2023, Mobilize acquired shares in Select Car Leasing, a UK-based leasing company.[20][21][22]
Mobilize provides cars for ride-sharing, taxi and delivery companies, while also offering car-related services (including subscriptions), financial services,[23] and charging services. The unit does not produce vehicles but it gets them from other entities.[24] The unit is divided into two major divisions: Mobilize Financial Services (car financing)[23] and Mobilize Beyond Automotive (other activities).[25]
In November 2023, Renault announced that the electric sedan, originally intended for cabs and VTCs, would not be marketed.[28]
On 10 October 2022, Mobilize presented a set of concepts alongside the production version of the Duo and Bento models.[29][30]
Mobilize Duo is regarded as the new Twizy.[31][32][33] This model is available in two versions, 45 and 80,[34] and it can carry two people.[35]
Mobilize Bento is the utility version of Mobilize Duo.[36] The launch of these two vehicles, Mobilize Bento and Mobilize Duo, is scheduled for 2024.[37]
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 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]
Formerly known as Elexent, Mobilize Power Solutions is the entity for electric recharging.[40] The service is available in 11 countries.[41]
In June 2023, Mobilize announced its Powerbox bidirectional charging station as part of the launch of the new Renault 5 electric.[42]
In Octobre 2022, Mobilize announced its plans for a European fast-charging network by 2024[43].