Ford launches new car share leasing programme in US

Ford has already announced that it has started testing autonomous vehicles in less favourable weather conditions (LINK) but not content, it is using this week’s Detroit Motor Show as a platform for a new car leasing programme for the US market.

Although unconfirmed for Europe, Ford Credit Link is a pilot scheme initially launching in Austin, Texas, that allows customers who don’t need access to a vehicle 100 per cent of the time, to share their car with up to six people.

“People are already sharing everything – from books to homes,” said David McClelland, Ford Credit executive vice president of marketing and sales. “We’re seeing the potential for a shift from a single customer paying for a single vehicle, to people sharing costs and benefits.” 

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Ford said the service is aimed at self-organised groups that could include households with multiple licensed drivers, neighbours with intermittent needs, or friends, co-workers and college students.

Members can communicate with each other to arrange drive time, check their vehicle’s status or make payments – all through a dedicated smartphone app. Available through three Texas-based dealers from next month, if the scheme is a success, it could be rolled out globally within the next few years.

The pilot supports Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

Would you buy a shared car if it meant splitting the costs? Let us know in the comments below…